Arthur & Merlin Closes Junior Theater’s 65th Season
Arthur & Merlin is about to make the Junior Theater’s 65th season disappear.
Since 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) has been making theatre “For Kids, By Kids.” Arthur & Merlin is the final show of DJT’s 65th season at the 2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport venue.
“This is not your traditional telling of the tale of Arthur,” said playwright and director Aaron Randolph III. “I wanted to take a look at the time between when Arthur pulls the sword from the stone and when he becomes a man at the round table. How did that all happen? What was the journey? It has led us to a lot of fun and creative approaches, not least of which is time travel.”
The show features a cast and crew of 36 students from 8 different QCA towns, some driving to rehearsals as far away as Geneseo. The kids act, run crew, operate tech booth equipment, help run front-of-house and more. Local professional theatre artists work alongside the kids to create a dynamic theatrical experience while training kids in theatrical production.
“Our season has been based around a plan,” said DJT’s Artistic Director Daniel Sheridan. “We started the season with a DJT classic musical, Pegora the Witch. Then we did a contemporary show, Ramona Quimby. For the production of Arthur and Merlin we wanted to commission an all new play. Hiring a local playwright to transform a classical adventure and have the world premiere here on the DJT stage was a great way to conclude our 65th season.”
“The kids deserve a great challenge,” said Board President Kristin Meyer. “Developing all new work gives them the chance to originate never before seen characters. It is also refreshing to our production professionals, working on something that is growing and developing throughout the process.”
To continue adding new elements and challenges for the kids, DJT has hired Seth Chappell at FoamFoolery. Chappell created the monkey friend to Aladdin in DJT’s production last year.
“When they approached me about building a 14 foot puppet that is operated by four DJT students and appears at the climax of the show in a great battle, I said yes before I could even think,” said Chappell. “I have always loved great challenges. I’ve been making puppets for the past 9 years in the Quad Cities with Foam Foolery. I have collaborated with other theatre companies and special commissions, but this is by far the biggest puppet I have ever created.”
“However grand the show may be in spectacle, it is really about learning and understanding how to compromise,” said Randolph. “Looking at the lessons of the round table and everyone having a seat at that table is important. We want the kids of today to be learning about empathy, understanding and communicating in a productive way. That is what theatre inherently does and that is what I hope this story conveys as well.”
The opening of the show this weekend also coincides with the end of Davenport Junior Theatre’s biggest fundraiser since the early 1980’s. The organization is seeking to raise $40,000 by April 30 to renovate and restore the Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander Theatre. If they raise said amount, they access more than $100,000 in matching funds from the City of Davenport and the Scott County Regional Authority.
“We are within $2,000 of our goal,” said Sheridan. “Attaining new seats, carpeting, paint, ADA improvements and more will assure that we can continue serving kids with the arts for decades to come.”
Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the nation’s second-oldest children’s theatre. Classes and camps are offered year-round in theatre and dance for students ages three to eighteen. Classes are as varied as acting, improvisation, character development, and sound design. In the quickly-growing dance division – which is only six years old – young dancers learn poise and confidence while having fun and making friends in a non-competitive dance environment. DJT also holds a Spectrum Theatre program, serving youth on the autism spectrum or any challenge that may inhibit communication. Through all these opportunities, DJT prepares kids for a lifetime of success, no matter what path their lives may take.
Arthur & Merlin by Aaron Randolph II
Performances: Tickets:
Saturday, April 29 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm Ages 3-17: $6.00
Sunday, April 30 at 2:00pm Adults: $8.00
Saturday, May 6 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm Under 2: Free
Sunday, May 7 at 2:00pm Tickets sold at the door
