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.

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