The651.com

This Friday, Stepping Stone Theater for Youth Development opens a new show “My Grandmother’s Tsotchkes: Tales of a Gambling Grandma”. For those not familiar, Stepping Stone was created to get kids involved in a professional-style theater program that – as the mission statement says – builds “self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of community while celebrating diversity in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere.”

Anytime I want the real dirt on a kid’s theater program I go straight to Janey who was something of a budding child star in the local theater world growing up. Her assessment of Stepping Stone, albeit from back in the day, was that it was about much more than just reciting lines. Kids participate in every aspect of a production including lighting, tech, music, dance and stage management. She also said “it’s a great way to get out of school when there are matinees.” Definitely wisdom we’d like to pass on to our kids.

So, on to the show. In the play, a young girl learns the life stories of her Russian Jewish Grandmother via the trinkets she has collected throughout her life. Beyond just storytelling, the show is heavy on music and dance – which always holds the attention of our slightly squirmy kids. Plus they are all about their Grandmothers, so we’ll definitely be working that angle in the “pitch” to them on why they should pay attention.

One interesting thing happening in the lead-up to this show is that the Pioneer Press has 11 year-old cast member Izzy Rousmaniere doing a behind-the-scenes blog about rehearsals. She seems to have much different attitude than the young, class-skipping Janey had in the late 80s: “Rehearsals go from 6 to 9 every night. I have a pretty busy schedule, so I’m often tired. I also have to find time for my homework.”

Show opens this Friday, full calendar here.