In less than a week’s span, Hawthorne Elementary School students have run the gamut of preparing for a play.

Two actors and directors from Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre came to the school Monday afternoon to begin auditions for “Pinocchio,” and after multiple-hour rehearsals after school each day this week, the students will present the play at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Students in third through fifth grades are participating.

Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre is a professional touring theater company based in Barrett and has traveled to communities across the Midwest since 1987. The theater group works mostly in Minnesota, but has also worked in states such as Indiana and North Dakota.

This is the first time for the group to come to Hawthorne Elementary School, though it has previously been to other schools in the district, said Thomas Squires, Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre actor and director.

Squires said most of the Hawthorne cast has never participated in Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre or any other type of theater production.

He said he was impressed with the Hawthorne students and how easily they are picking up their parts. The company does this show in a new town every week, and he always likes to see how the students make it their own.

“It’s really about the kids,” Squires said. “They come out and work on this.”

Forty-two students are involved in the Hawthorne Elementary School play, whether it’s through acting, sound or lights. Leading the play as the character of Pinocchio is Sophia Brownlee.

Squires and fellow actor and director Deidre Cochran also have parts in the performance. Squires will be Geppetto and Tempesto, and Cochran will be Fox.

Squires said the play is based more on the original version, but is still similar to the Disney version that most people are familiar with.

Danielle Nelson, building clerk at the school, said the experience was funded by school district administration and a grant from the foundation for Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea that Principal Karen Zwolenski applied for.

She said the students are excited in the hallways talking about their upcoming play.

Nelson and school Secretary Darci Rasmussen said they are impressed the theater group has parts for all types of children, whether they are outgoing or shy.

“It’s a good group of kids,” Rasmussen said. “They’re having fun.”

‘Pinocchio’ cast list

Friends and spirits

Pinocchio: Sophia Brownlee

Cricket: Aydan Christensen

Blue fairy: Ava Cunningham

Spirits: Isabella Jahnssen, Kalia Register, Ella Drescher and Shaelee Lambertson

 

Puppets

Arlecchino: Callie Brownlee

Pantalone: Veddar Tufte

Capitano: Dirk Fornwald

Isabella: Ava Bremer

Zanni: Gisele Schreiber

Puppet: Sydney Fornwald, Mackenzie Hanson

 

Vermin

Cat: Morgan Christian

Badger: Addison Dirkes

Weasel: Erika Saindon

Ferret: Lilly Hyke

Vermin: Madison Whelan, Jennave Gomez and Aurora Cox

Hooligans

Toni: Kaiden Baldwin

Chaz: Jaylee Waters

Spaz: Keygan Lundak

Hooligan: Lydia Loyd, Elijah Jacobson and Aryah Hansen

 

Townsfolk

Farmer: Makayla Hannegrefs-Dahlen

Constable: Tony Luevano

Judge: Paige Becker

Mime: Kimberly Biggins

Paperboy: Jose Navarrete

Waiter: Taylor Larsen

Townsfolk: Jordan Habana, Natalia Torres, Danica Whelan

 

Directors: Thomas Squires and Deidre Cochran

Geppetto/Tempesto: Thomas Squires

Fox: Deidre Cochran

Lights: Joshua Behrends

Sound: Beau Schreiber