Changing Scenes, Changing Lives
The Children’s Musical Theater of Oregon Makes a Difference
By Cyndi Mathews
More than just a pretty base, Southern Oregon looked “like a great place to live and to start a children’s musical theater. So, we quit our jobs, came up and started our theater from scratch,” says John Taylor, who co-founded and directs the Rogue Valley’s own Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon.
Fortunately, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. In 2005, the founders of The Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon left Las Vegas to bring their dreams to life in the Rogue Valley. John Taylor, former Music Director for the Cirque du Soleil ‘O’ show, his wife Rhonda, a multi-talented elementary school teacher and their son Zane wanted out of the Vegas rat race. Years of brightly lit, beautifully choreographed, high-energy jobs, had the talented couple looking for more. And they found it in Southern Oregon… a home for their family and a place to transform their dream into a reality.
Of The Children’s Musical Theater of Oregon (CMTO), John says, “We dug deep into our savings to get it going and we’re going to make it work.” And not only is it working, the theater is thriving. The company performs two shows a year under the tutelage of musical and artistic director John Taylor and his wife, co-founder and producer Rhonda. Along with the Parent’s Auxiliary Board and Board of Directors, they see to all aspects of the organization. With four successful shows under their belts, casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for their fifth production, Broadway: A Musical Journey.
“We’re taking 12 to 15 music and dance numbers from popular musicals like Hairspray, A Chorus Line, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease and Guys & Dolls,” he says. In addition to arranging and orchestrating the pieces, John’s writing some original music for the production as well. He does much of his work in his home studio, and in their office on A Street in Ashland. Rehearsals for CMTO shows are at Phoenix-Talent High School in Phoenix.
Once the cast and music are chosen, each musical takes eight weeks of pre-production… blood, sweat and some tears… before the opening night arrives. The kids work hard. The staff works hard. Parents too. A production of this quality requires that parents are called on to be involved, not simply deliver their children to rehearsal. “It’s a huge commitment,” says Cybele Grimes, whose daughter Maddison recently starred in their production of Peter Pan, “But, it’s very definitely worth it. We hired professional set, lighting and costume designers, but in putting all the pieces together — we do it all. We make paper mache rocks, do ticket sales, usher, watch kids, and even apply the make-up.”
Even with parents and volunteers working behind the scenes to keep costs down, it costs each child $250 to participate. But, CMTO offers two types of scholarships. Partial scholarships are available for those with financial need. In a show with a cast size of 50, partial scholarships from a fund of 3 times $250 (the amount of tuition for one) or $750 is available for those in need. If the cast size is 100 a fund of 6 tuitions, or $1500, is available. “When they audition, they submit an application. We take it to the board and they decide on the amount,” John says. CMTO also offers work scholarships that require actors do specific tasks (like set building, clerical and office work) and are credited an hourly wage to offset the tuition. Tuition assistance makes the theater accessible to youth all around the valley. Just ask the kids from Grants Pass, White City, Eagle Point, Gold Hill, and Ashland… all around the Rogue Valley.
“Some people think that’s a high cost to be in the production. But your child is being professionally trained and worked with… it works out to about two dollars an hour. That’s a great deal compared to other theater groups around here,” says Cybele. John’s experience in the entertainment industry, working with singers such as Jennifer Lopez, Tower of Power, DeBarge, Johnny Lee, and Rick Astley, gives CMTO’s productions a professional, polished edge. The Taylors have received very positive responses to their performances. John says, “The audience doesn’t want a cute show, but they want something with production value. We want to create entertainment that makes you wonder ‘Where are we again?’” Outside of the schools in the Rogue Valley, only Oregon Stage Works and the Camelot Theater Company offer drama programs for aspiring stage performers. This summer, Oregon Stage Works and the Ashland Children’s Theatre host on-stage workshops for kids. Children from 4 to 6 years old learn to explore their imagination in week-long sessions. Actors up to 17 years old can join many two-week sessions including a musical theater. Students need to have completed the Introduction to Musical Theater course. The camp runs August 6 to 17, from 1:30pm to 5:00pm and the fee is $300. Find out more about their program at www.oregonstageworks.net/kids.htm. From August 25–29th, SOU and the Camelot Theater Company invite aspiring actors to explore improvisation, acting, music and dance. Those interested can get details by visiting www.sou.edu/youth/upcoming_classes.html.
Among local schools, Ashland High School seems to have the best reputation. Their drama department is fortunate to have support from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) through the Ashland High School Partnership. Formed in 1993 after Measure 5 cut education funds, this partnership provides, among other benefits, OSF company members to teach kids and visit classrooms. Additionally, all schools in the Ashland School District – 3rd grade through high school – have the opportunity to see and discuss an adaptation of a current OSF play. Kids can take advantage of backstage tours, productions, visits, and meetings with actors and stage crew. Youth outreach is a top priority at OSF. Not only do they have great programs for local kids, but visitors as well. Learn more at www.osfashland.org/education/ teachers/local.aspx An exciting development for fine arts for youth in the Rogue Valley is the opening of the Crater High School Renaissance Academy in Central Point. One of the four small schools on the Crater High School campus, (Health and Public Services; Business, Innovation and Science; the Academy of Natural Resources) is the Crater High School Renaissance Academy. Their first show, Night of the Living Dead wrapped in November, 2007. Adding to our theatrical choices in our valley, South Medford High School’s drama program will offer Pirates of Penzance at the end of February while North Medford High School’s Black Tornado Theater has expanded to six productions a year, including Fiddler on the Roof in the Sjolund Auditorium at the end of April. Late February will also see a student-written and directed musical take to the stage at the Rose Street Theater at Phoenix High. Also, this spring, The Performing Arts Center at Grants Pass High School has a production slated for the beginning of March, and St. Mary’s School in Medford is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Ashland High School will stage Beauty and the Beast.
Except for workshops and camps, none of these groups cast all the actors who audition for their small-scale productions. Not only does The Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon offer professional training and top-notch shows, but they don’t turn anyone away. If you audition, you get a part. No other local groups can claim the same. John says with a smile, “There is nothing like this in the valley. Everyone is accepted.”
That attitude extends to the cast, crew and the entire production family. The Taylors’ joy comes from sharing their love of music and theater. But for John, this love literally saved his life by instilling within him a sense of confidence and self. “I was raised in an abusive household and found an outlet in the local children’s musical theater,” he says about growing up in San Jose, California, “I found that I was a singer, an actor and that I had musical talent.” John turned his childhood escape into a successful career. In 2001 he landed in Las Vegas, working as Musical Director and Conductor for Cirque du Soleil’s “O” Show at the Bellagio Hotel.
Both John and Rhonda grew up in the same small town of Elk Grove, a suburb of Sacramento. They went to the same high school, and dated. But, their relationship was deemed “too serious” by their parents. After graduation, they went their separate ways and both married and divorced. Rhonda was living and teaching school in the small town of Sutter Creek in California. Still curious about each other twenty years later, Rhonda found John’s contact information on a music CD he produced in 2003. She contacted him. And the rest, they say, is history.
John’s commercially successful career was the dream of many musicians, but was not enough for John. He wanted to give back and recalled how the theater brought about many positive changes in his life. Looking to the future they began to dream about leaving Sin City and doing something to nurture their souls. Together they decided to devote their time and energy to helping children explore their musical and theatrical aspirations.
After reading an article online touting Southern Oregon as one of the ten nicest places to live in the United States, they took a quick trip up Interstate 5 to Oregon. Following their intuition, the Taylor’s decided to settle in Ashland. They founded the theater company in 2005 and opened their first show, Grease, in the spring of 2006. It was a great success. Autumn of 2006 found the cast following the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz. CMTO practiced practicing for the musical in High School Musical, presented in spring 2007, and then took off to Neverland in Peter Pan in fall of 2007. Last October, the theater hosted its first annual fundraiser, the Evening of Dreamers. The sold-out show, hosted at the Oregon Cabaret Theater, where John also works as Musical Director, brought in over $6000 for the theater.
CMTO musical productions are presented at the Performing Arts Center at Crater High School in Central Point. The first-annual all-star show featured stars from their shows, including nine-year-old Anne Skinner, who played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. He recalls that at her audition, she sang an amazing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and they knew they had their Toto-toter. “She’s another Judy Garland,” he says.
For every lead role there are many supporting cast members. Wendy Beasley’s two young daughters Kammy and Karley were part of the ensemble cast in CMTO’s Peter Pan. Although they had small parts, Wendy says that her girls had the opportunity to have their own place to shine. “The Taylor’s make sure that each person gets the spotlight. They are a wonderful influence on the kids,” she says. Her girls loved coming to rehearsal, even though much of their time was not spent on stage. Rehearsals, held at Phoenix-Talent High School in Phoenix run Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:30-7:30 and Saturdays from 12noon to 4pm. Additional practices are scheduled as opening night approaches. At the end of the eight-week training, they have the tools they need. They are more comfortable on stage, taking stage direction, and have more confidence in themselves.
The Taylor’s are guiding a new generation of actors, singers and dancers in Southern Oregon; but ultimately, the Taylors dream of having their own state-of-the-art facility with year-long shows and classes. “We’re a 501(c) 3 non-profit. We’ve got people with talent, brains, creativity along with wonderful parent support. We could rival big city productions with some financial resources,” he says. Their non-profit program needs support as each show costs about $25,000 with sets, materials, and paying musical rights. CMTO is planning a benefit spaghetti dinner in February, where they’ll preview their current Broadway revue. Although Rhonda works as a teacher at Griffin Creek Elementary in Medford, John hasn’t taken a salary since they moved to Oregon. “John and Rhonda were doing everything [at the theater] for the first two years. It would be sad if they had to shut their doors,” says Cybele.
Top-notch productions from Children’s Musical Theatre of Oregon begin with John and Rhonda, the staff and parent volunteers. With this strong base, talented youth feel safe to explore their abilities. And these young stars are shining bright. So, shake a leg or break a leg and join the family at CMTO.
To find out more about CMTO, check out their website
at CMTOregon.org. The website is updated regularly with audition information, pictures from previous productions and access to their forum. Contact CMTO at P.O. Box 880, Ashland, OR 97520.
Taking Flight!
I see Maddy and the other kids and I just smile when I see how far they have come. — John Taylor
Live performance enthusiasts fortunate enough to have seen CMTO’s production of Peter Pan earlier in 2007 may have witnessed 13-year-old Maddison Grimes fly across the stage as the lead. “She’s had issues in her life and has been transformed, becoming the star of Peter Pan,” says Taylor of the blossoming talent. She memorized 75-pages of dialog, sang and flew for the role. But, not long ago, she was shy and unsure of herself.
“For Maddy, it was great, the way John and Rhonda create a family,” says Cybele Grimes, Maddy’s mom and CMTO Board Member, “They have the ability to make kids feel really good about themselves. It’s really amazing.” Just like John Taylor’s childhood musical experience, Maddison and other kids have found their lives transformed by the musical theater. Cybele Grimes talks about her daughter’s progress:
She walked insecurely into [CMTO’s] audition training session. It was apparent that all the other kids had done this before. At the audition, she presented a short poem. She was very shy. She landed the small part of the coroner in the Wizard of Oz. She sang a very short song and had another small part, and found out that she had a beautiful voice. A really amazing voice… with projection… and we didn’t know. They worked with her to memorize lines and on her stage presence. For Peter Pan, Maddy said, ‘I’m going to be Peter Pan.’ At the audition, the newly confident actress was first to step on stage and audition. She got to be Peter Pan for her. John and Rhonda let her be who she is, a great singer. With new found confidence Maddy exclaimed, “I’m going to be Peter Pan” and was the first to step on stage to audition. She was selected for Peter Pan. John and Rhonda let her be herself – a great singer.
And, as it turned out she’s a soaring success.
Why all the drama?
We’ve heard all the clichés about when a door closes a window opens. And for lots of local kids, a lot of doors are closing. Budget cuts forced closure of the library doors, and with cuts in education funding the doors to counselors, advanced classes, labs and sports facilities are shut. As a result, youth looking for stimulating activities often find themselves tempted by unsavory choices.
This is another reason John and Rhonda work so hard to craft an atmosphere of acceptance and warmth. They do more than that, they create a family. A place where aspiring actors learn to conquer fear, build self-confidence and self-esteem. They know that confident kids aren’t as easily attracted to illicit activities. “It’s positive pro-active and pre-emptive, so it helps people battle drugs. Instead of fixing the situation, we can beat negativity to the punch, and build something from the beginning,” John says.
Musical theater is also a way to build the future, but also connect with the past. Take CMTO’s shows: Peter Pan debuted in 1904, The Wizard of Oz in 1939, and it’s been 30 years since Grease was the word. Even Disney’s newly-released Disney High School Musical has multi-generational appeal. In this age where history is slipping into the past, music is still in the iPods and the ears of young and old.
So, audition, or join the audience, for a local drama production and support your community.
In the valley now:
-Ashland High School Drama students are currently in production for Fiddler on the Roof. Shows run March 7-9, 2008.
-North Medford High School’s Winter Play Much Ado About Nothing is presented February 14–16, 21–23
-The Children’s Musical Theater of Oregon’s salute to Broadway will put on eight performances, April 10th through 12th, and the 17th through 19th at the Crater Performing Arts Center at Crater High School In Central Point.
-Oregon Stage Works Ashland Children’s Theater offer six-week sessions for children as young as 4 years old.
-The Camelot Theater Company in Talent offers seasonal workshops.
Note From the Editor:
It is with great regret that we failed to include information about the following children’s theaters in the February 2008 feature, “Changing Scenes, Changing Lives: The Children’s Musical Theater of Oregon Makes a Difference” by Cyndi Mathews. Our sincere apologies go out to these organizations that enrich the lives of children in the Rogue Valley:
The Oregon Conservatory of Performing Arts (OCPA) has been providing educational theatre experiences year-round for youth in southern Oregon for the past 10 years. After-school classes and Saturday workshops range from mime and singing to rock band and acting.
In 2007 OCPA formed a unique improvisational troupe of teens who performed at Johnny B’s and the Art in Bloom festival in Medford. That same year OCPA held its first Youth Playwright Showcase for budding writers. Both are on hiatus this year but will be revived in 2009. Last year OCPA also introduced the OCPA Dance Troupe, which performs at community events throughout the Rogue Valley.
OCPA’s innovative Latino teen theatre program, Conservatorio Bilingüe, continues to grow. Through this program Hispanic teens learn about their culture through theatre and storytelling. OCPA’s staff is working with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) to enhance this unique opportunity for Latino students.
This summer OCPA is offering its eighth season of its flagship Magic of Theater summer camps. Students from ages 6 to 18 learn the process of theatre from professional actors and educators and then stage a performance at the end of the camp. The first camp is part of OCPA’s ongoing Youth Shakespeare Festival, co-directed by OSF’s Tyrone Wilson and Caroline Shaffer; this year students ages 12 to 18 will study and perform The Tempest for four weeks beginning June 16. Beginning July 7 children 6 to 12 can attend a three-week camp that centers on the musical Tom Sawyer. Kids will be learning the basics of acting, singing, and dance while rehearsing to perform the show. OCPA’s final camp of the summer is the award-winning Broadway musical West Side Story, directed by OSF’s Caroline Shaffer. This is a five-week camp for teens 13 to 18.
All students who audition are cast. Registration for all camps begins March 1 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available for students who qualify, also on a first-to-apply basis.
For more information, please call 776-9118 or visit the OCPA Web site at www.oregonconservatory.org.
The Storytime Theater, located at One Eleven Evelyn in Grants Pass is proud to announce a new program of theater by children, for children. The young actors of The Storytime Theater Troupe will be presenting popular fairy tales along with songs, dancing and fun. Join the performances of Peter Rabbit and Boys Will Be Boys, on the first Saturday of each month during the school year at 10am at One Eleven Evelyn in Grants Pass.
Designed for a younger audience, performances run 30 minutes and feature lots of audience participation. This is a free event, but donations are happily accepted. March shows include crafts and an Easter egg hunt. Want to know more? Call Cynthia at 787-2019.
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