HOULTON, Maine — A group of 46 fourth-graders at Houlton Southside School turned into young actors Feb. 5, 2016 as the Children’s Stage Adventure group returned to the Shiretown.
This year’s production featured the tale “The Sword Called Excalibur,” a musical comedy written and conceived by Lorrie Gray, one of the founders of CSA.
The cast featured Dylan Raymond as a young King Arthur who grew up unaware of his prominent role in life as he was raised under the watchful eyes of Merlin — played by CSA’s Joshua Sellers.
Playing the part teen Kay, Arthur’s childhood companion, was Zach Ervin. Kiera Champion played the role of young Arthur, while Ella McCarthy was young Kay.
Other parts included Sep Maguire as Cabal; Tyler Gibbs as Sir Ector; Grace Brewer as Protector Knight; and Riley Clark as King Uther. Featured as witches were: Lucy Malone, Carissa Michaud and Elisabeth Henderson.
Playing the parts of Wizards were: Kansas Chase, Amelia Callnan, Ciara Lorom, Kanyun McNinch and Braden Scott. Featured in roles as “Sherwood Bandits” were: Ariel Joslyn, Nora Kenney, Sophia Lorom, Desirea Wardwell, Dominic Phillips, Caleb Hasenbank and Lindsey Bartman.
Featured as Villagers were: Andre Melvin, Kaitlyn Kenney, Tia Burlock, Emma McCarthy, Nathan Folkins, Calli Sylvia, Gabby Gentle and Macy Cram. Playing the role of Knights were: Gabriel Britton, Tristan Cook, Grace Brewer, Lexi Toby, Sean Crouse and Brady Bubar.
Playing the parts of forest creatures were: Luke Howland, Hailey Suitter, Jaxon Howe, Bode Allen, Mataya Pinette and Kayleigh Belyea.
Featured students in the chorus were: Julia Drake, Nicayla Peebles, Alexis Campbell, Lily Brewer, Kyree McGraw, Tabitha Carmichael, Alexandria Collins, Tyler Castle, Sienna Jensen, Aireanna Tompkins, Jayon Xavier, Ciaran Johnson, Emma Taylor and Abigail Trahan.
Local musician Laurie Byron provided musical accompaniment for the production.
CSA is an innovative theatre company founded by Rob and Lorrie Gray in 1999 based out of Sullivan, N.H., that travels to area schools, spending about a week with students for an original production. CSA is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of enriching children’s lives through participation in a live theatre experience.
For more information on CSA, visit www.childrensstageadventures.org.
