Each year in March, the Windham Center Stage Theater (WCST) presents one children’s show, and this year the production is Cinderella Jr.
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| The Windham Center Stage Theater welcomes everyone to come and enjoy 'Cinderella Jr.,' the timeless classic that reminds us that dreams really can come true and that hard work and kindness is rewarded. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
Rachel Scala is the director and music director of this production and has been a part of WCST for almost a decade. She grew up in Windham but only became part of the theater community after she returned from college in 2015. Prior to that, she was active in the musical world and sang in choirs, played in bands, as well as in a few pit orchestras.
In 2016, she was cast in her first musical at WCST, “Little Shop of Horrors.” That led her to be more involved with the WCST Board of Directors and thus, got her into the music direction. This is her first time directing a mainstage production. While it hasn't been easy, it has been a lot of fun for Scala.
“My favorite thing is to see the students discover new moments on stage; when they finally get a joke or try saying a line differently or move their body in a different way… that’s the magic,” says Scala.
As the director of this production, it is her job to help the actors discover their characters so that they can make choices on stage.
The show has always been double cast — meaning that two separate casts of students perform the same show. This is done in order to accept as many students as possible into the program.
“WCST has an ‘everyone who auditions gets a part, and every part is important’ policy,” says Scala.
This year, there is the Pumpkin Cast, primarily made up of students from grades 2 to 5, and the Glass Slipper Cast, which is primarily made up of middle school-aged students. The Pumpkin Cast has 22 students, and the Glass Slipper Cast has 21.
Planning of this show started in August 2022 and auditions for the production were held in November 2022.
“It has been so fun being a part of this production,” says Scala. “I never planned on directing being a part of my journey, but I’m happy that my life has brought me down this path. Working with the children has been amazing, but what gets me every time is how dedicated our families are to the production, from the folks who sat through every rehearsal to the parents who set up our stage and collect our props.”
The Board of Directors are managing and supporting to costume this production, which speaks to WCST’s mission of a community of thespians working together to create a diverse and rich cultural experience, and Scala says that she is beyond proud to be a part of that.
This show comes at a very fragile time in WCST’s history. After enduring a national pandemic, community theaters around the world struggled to reopen the curtain.
“After shifts in leadership and a rocky start to our season, I’m so proud of WCST for coming together and getting this show done,” says Scala. “It is a staple in our season and a part of so many family traditions in Windham and surrounding communities.”
The Windham Center Stage Theater welcomes all to come and enjoy the Cinderella Jr. show through March 19 with Friday and Saturday evening shows at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday shows starting at 2 p.m. All shows take place at the Windham Town Hall located at 8 School Road. Doors open a half hour before the show starts.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and free for children under the age of three who will be sitting on a lap. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.windhamcenterstagetheater.com/box-office. <
As the director of this production, it is her job to help the actors discover their characters so that they can make choices on stage.
The show has always been double cast — meaning that two separate casts of students perform the same show. This is done in order to accept as many students as possible into the program.
“WCST has an ‘everyone who auditions gets a part, and every part is important’ policy,” says Scala.
This year, there is the Pumpkin Cast, primarily made up of students from grades 2 to 5, and the Glass Slipper Cast, which is primarily made up of middle school-aged students. The Pumpkin Cast has 22 students, and the Glass Slipper Cast has 21.
Planning of this show started in August 2022 and auditions for the production were held in November 2022.
“It has been so fun being a part of this production,” says Scala. “I never planned on directing being a part of my journey, but I’m happy that my life has brought me down this path. Working with the children has been amazing, but what gets me every time is how dedicated our families are to the production, from the folks who sat through every rehearsal to the parents who set up our stage and collect our props.”
The Board of Directors are managing and supporting to costume this production, which speaks to WCST’s mission of a community of thespians working together to create a diverse and rich cultural experience, and Scala says that she is beyond proud to be a part of that.
This show comes at a very fragile time in WCST’s history. After enduring a national pandemic, community theaters around the world struggled to reopen the curtain.
“After shifts in leadership and a rocky start to our season, I’m so proud of WCST for coming together and getting this show done,” says Scala. “It is a staple in our season and a part of so many family traditions in Windham and surrounding communities.”
The Windham Center Stage Theater welcomes all to come and enjoy the Cinderella Jr. show through March 19 with Friday and Saturday evening shows at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday shows starting at 2 p.m. All shows take place at the Windham Town Hall located at 8 School Road. Doors open a half hour before the show starts.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and free for children under the age of three who will be sitting on a lap. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.windhamcenterstagetheater.com/box-office. <
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