Sibley students get weeklong taste of theater
Published 9:37 am Wednesday, January 25, 2017
- Sibley Elementary School students rehearse on Tuesday for the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s production of “Robin Hood.” - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune
Prairie Fire Theatre actors train students for performance
Two professional actors and 50 Sibley Elementary School students are teaming up this week to perform Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s original musical production of “Robin Hood.”
Performances are slated for 7 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Southwest Middle School’s Little Theatre in Albert Lea.
“Robin Hood,” with original script and music by Daniel Nordquist, continues Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s tradition of presenting classic tales as you’ve never seen. Though set traditionally in the 12th century, complete with faeries and gnomes, Prairie Fire’s version features the Sheriff of Nottingham as a man ahead of his time — eight centuries ahead, in fact, according to a press release.
He is a visionary, and in his vision he see the trees of Sherwood Forest gone, and in their place stand “Sherwood Theme Park” and “The Mall of Nottingham.” In his way stands the environmentally conscious outlaw, Robin Hood.
The local cast features: Robin, Marian, Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet, Cook Henny, Robin’s Mother & the rest of the Merry Band, the Deputies, the Gnomes, the Faeries, the Tutors, Prince John and the Sheriff’s Daughters.
![Performances of “Robin Hood” will be at 7 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Southwest Middle School. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune](https://www.albertleatribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/01/0125.childrens.theatre02.jpg)
Performances of “Robin Hood” will be at 7 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Southwest Middle School. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune
Professional actors Kellie Nolan and Mikey Burson will co-direct the production and play the roles of Flora, The Queen of the Faeries, and The Sheriff of Nottingham.
The third- through fifth- grade students auditioned for the parts on Monday and are staying after school all week to practice in preparation for the two weekend performances.
On Tuesday, the students were split up into two groups to learn lines and songs for the production.
Students Rayea Roberts, Kyra Habana and Aly Colby said they enjoyed taking part in the play. The girls had participated for several previous performances through Prairie Fire Theatre.
Danika Jensen, 8, said it was her first time taking part in a Prairie Fire Theatre production. She said likes to be in plays and is used to being in front of an audience through dance.
She said one of her favorite parts of the play is when she gets to make everyone laugh while another character tells jokes.
“Robin Hood” features set and costume design by Deborah Pick.
This Prairie Fire Theatre residency is sponsored by Sibley Parent/Teacher Organization.
Cost to attend is $5 for adults and $3 for students. There is a $15 maximum per household.
‘Robin Hood’ cast
Royal Family
Maid Marian: Maddee Anderson
Prince John: Hayden Lowe
Anabel: Sophia Gordon
Jezebel: Kelliani Flores
Wilhelmina: Ellie Ortiz
Ariel: Taylor Klocke
Juliette: Cadence McVicker
Sheriff of Nottingham: Mikey Burson
Merry Band
Robin Hood: Ashton Anderson
Mother: Sage Iverson
Little John: Ali Lopez
Friar Tuck: Hunter Erickson
Will Scarlet: Kaleb Espinosa
Cook Henny: Bailey Wood
Rimshot: Danika Jensen
Merry Band: Maria Toj Chach
Merry Band: Kyra Habana
Merry Band: Rayea Roberts
Merry Band: Kaitlin Griffith
Merry Band: Alexis Godtland
Merry Band: Tyler Balfe
Merry Band: Samantha Baltazar
Merry Band: Aly Colby
Merry Band: Sophie Enser
Merry Band: McKenzie Fields
Deputy No. 1: Abby Harves
Deputy No. 2: Jameson Wildman
Deputy: Alex Palmer
Deputy: Christian Coimbre
Deputy: Cayden Silva
Deputy: Kaylee Henderson
Deputy: Navaeh Wacholz
Deputy: Jenna Balfe
Deputy: Hailey Deming
Deputy: Alyssa Freeman
Deputy: Marisol Arteaga
Faeries:
Flora: Kellie Nolan
Bluebell: Kallie Studier
Poppy: Ramsie Enser
Faery: Claire Griffith
Faery: Danica Pestorious
Faery: Raelynn Rasmussen
Faery: Stella Skaghein
Faery: Addie Issacson
Faery: Layla Prestholt
Gnomes:
Grunt: Madison Mann
Gnome: Kylar Booker
Gnome: Mia Thompson
Gnome: Jazmine Michaud
Gnome: Devlin Springsteel
Technical Crew: Grace and Alyiah Studier