The Knoxville Children’s Theatre, a well-established youth acting company, features both full productions and acting skills classes and offers an affordable escape from the sun for children and families.
Dennis Perkins, creative director for KCT, said the theater remains one of the most highly prolific in the area because they produce and cast entirely in-house.
“We don’t bring in any tours or anything like that,” Perkins said. “I think that effort alone is probably worth seeing.”
Perkins said parents who are interested in exposing their children to the arts would do well to bring them to the theater.
“(If) you want to interest your children in the arts, then take them to the arts,” he said. “I think coming to see theater is a great way to do it, especially if they see children around their age doing things at this level.”
Knoxville Children’s Theatre is currently presenting a stage adaptation of Disney’s “Aladdin,” complete with an energetic and engaging cast and a script full of laughs. Alcoa Middle School student Ethan Turbyfill plays the title role, and said the experience is rewarding, yet challenging, for the youth involved in the production.
“It’s a whole different experience because there are so many new people you meet,” Turbyfill said. “You just get to work with so many great people. It’s an amazing experience, overall. I like stepping up to play a character that other people have done, and putting myself into it.”
While KCT’s adaptation of “Aladdin” will run through June 22, the company is already beginning rehearsal for the next production, “Thumbalina,” set to open July 11.
Though not all KCT cast members have their sights set on a Broadway or Hollywood career, the experience provides a number of opportunities for participants to grow.
“They have a common interest,” Perkins said. “You get them together and they form lasting friendships that really last a long time. There are many things that children get from this, and confidence is one of them. Also, responsibility. They’re responsible for maintaining their grades. That’s important for us. There’s nothing that you learn here that isn’t beneficial for the average human being.”
Steve Sommers, a KCT parent, agreed.
“It gives them a chance to thrive in a setting outside of school,” Sommers said. “We make the effort to get our child here because it gives them the opportunity to work with other kids from around the city with different backgrounds.”
Tickets are available directly before performances at the KCT facility on East Churchwell Avenue and online at www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com.
