Seventeen students, from Scotland County, the Kansas City area, and a visiting participant from Iowa, performed in the production “Imagine a Dragon” sponsored by the Memphis Community Players, Inc. on June 27, at the Memphis Theatre. Appearing on stage were the Innkeepers Zoe Florez, Anna Freburg, Hadley Baker, Morgan Jackson, Sadie Jackson, and Bryleigh Ward. The Princesses were Guinevere Barrientos, Addy Frederick, Adrienne Lucas, Rylee Santos, and Eve Taylor. The Heroes included Aria Ambrose, Sully Eudaley, Brooke Jackson, Kinlee Moss, and Rucker Ward. Elena Clubb portrayed the Bill Collector.
“Imagine a Dragon” is an original musical written for kids with the book and lyrics by Kathryn Funkhouser, music and lyrics by Denver Casado, and music arrangements by Jeff Daye. The play is a musical about the owners of the Dancing Dragon Inn who invent a dragon story to attract customers, leading to unexpected guests and a chaotic situation. The play explores themes of bravery, fame, and the power of imagination as the characters deal with the consequences of their fib and the potential discovery that the dragon isn’t real. Ultimately, the play questions if there are multiple ways to save the day, even when a legendary creature is just a story.
Students between the ages of 8 and 18 participated in the five-day Production (Drama) Camp learning lines, blocking which reflects the authentic behavior of the characters, and choreography which is the sequence of steps and movements in dance. The camp was conducted by Maples Repertory Theater from Macon. Gideon Lancaster, Education Director at Maples, was the director for the production of “Imagine a Dragon”. Danielle Simpson and Lauren Steelman, Assistant Education Directors at Maples were assistant directors. Lynnette Dyer, member of the Memphis Community Players, was the Production Coordinator for the camp and performance. Chrissy Myers and Scott Hathaway assisted with the production. The MCP sponsored the event to promote and support fine arts in the community.
The Memphis Community Players would like to express gratitude to Tri- County Electric Co-op Association for the TCEC Foundation Grant and Corner Perk Coffee and More and Northeast Missouri Rural Telephone Company for donations to make the Drama Camp possible for students.
