Nominees- Best Theatre for Youth

Don't know if some of you are aware of this fact or not. The number one grossing part of the theatre industry is Theatre for Youth productions! (Easily.) It's a multi-billion dollar part of the industry that encompasses some major players such as Disney Corp and all the major Shakespeare Festivals in the US. It is a huge part of our industry and it is the money from school's and parents that often keeps our business' afloat in these tough economic times. It would be remiss of us to not honor some great Children's performers and producers in our city.

If one of your major target audiences in a production is those under 18 then your production can also be considered Theatre for Youth. (Hello, Grant money!!!) Using theatre as a tool to help teacher's in a classroom is an awesome power we have as performers.

There are generally two types of Theatre for Youth. Theatre which stars kids, such as YAF's production of Spring Awakening or productions starring adults created for children's audiences. Neither style is better than the other. It is like comparing apples to oranges. However, you nominated both styles in this category--- so you have to choose which is better! (haha!) 

Serious credit also must be given to Theatre for Youth companies in HK who often produce their own originally created work which is an arduous task. 

I'm a Wild Thing... Are You?

I had very bad news today. Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are passed away. As one of my favorite books as a kid I feel like one of my first mentors has passed away. I love great children's books. I kept all of mine from childhood and I still read them when I go back home. Great books like Where the Wild Things Are allow children to open their minds to magical places and imagine places where we can all be kings of the monsters! The darkness in Sendak's book is to be commended because it allows kids to explore the dark side of human nature and doesn't sugar coat. It's rare to find a kids book that is as layered as Wild Things.

I am a Wild Thing. Are you? I would like to thank Maurice for writing a wonderful book that I still enjoy introducing to kids these days through theatre. It is a wonderful children's theatre piece if you are considering it for your next season. All children LOVE it!

So, like Max I gnash my teeth and with roar declare, "LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!"
We need to dance and celebrate more in our daily lives. We need to have more fun and not worry so much. Sometimes we all just need a good rumpus.

Or we're going to become bitches and "Eat you UP!" as Maurice would say...

RIP Maurice...

What's your favorite children's book?

Top 5 Things to Do in Singapore with Kids

I am basically a 5 year old in a 27 year old body. I was blessed to have a trip to Singapore for Easter and I used this trip to explore the city. When I told all my friends in Hong Kong that I was coming to Singapore they said, "You're going to go shopping?" Ew... No. I hate shopping. I'm a broke artist. What can a broke artist do in Singapore when shopping is beyond their means? I think that a broke artist can get down with their inner child and explore the city the way a kid can; with wild abandonment and an open mind for learning.

Merlion Park from the view of the boat tour!

Review- One World- World Family

I was invited to see a Theatre for Youth production called One World English Carnival. I am a Children's Theatre Director by profession so I can have a good time and see a kids show! The show was presented this weekend at Polytech University at the Jockey Club Auditorium. Tickets were really cheap and each child was presented with a souvenir tambourine! (I didn't get one but I survived...)

Before I get into the review, I would like to apologize for any mis-spellings in the names of the cast during this review. There was no program given out to me so I am unable to double check my spellings! Thanks for your understanding...