Starstruck Players Raise Funds for Production with Car Washes

By SARAH ROBERTS
ONEONTA

Orpheus Theatre’s Starstruck Players youth troupe is holding a fundraiser to support their upcoming production of “Hadestown: Teen Addition.” Car washes can be purchased for Hoffman Car Wash for $14.00 from a cast or production member, or ordered online.

“Let the Storm Pass Over! Just like the characters of “Hadestown: Teen Edition” face storms and challenges, your car can overcome its own messes with a sparkling wash—all while supporting local youth in the arts!” said an informational post about the event.

“In a production that feels like it was meant just for us here at Orpheus Theatre, we are so grateful to bring the story of Orpheus to life on our stage! This powerful tale will challenge our talented young actors in ways they’ve never experienced before,” reads the Orpheus Theatre website, “‘Hadestown: Teen Edition” invites us to ‘see how the world could be in spite of the way that it is.’”

“Twenty of the students are in the cast and we have six students who make up the production crew, assisting behind the scenes on aspects such as prop and set creation, painting, photography, social media, and fundraisers,” said Jill A. Lehmann, director.

“The cast students meet for five hours pretty much every weekend for rehearsals and currently the production students are learning and helping for three hours each weekend, but that will likely increase as we rely on them more as we get closer to production,” Lehmann continued. “The cast also spends time on their own during the week reviewing their music, acting directives and choreography.”

“Hadestown: Teen Edition” is a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice by Anaïs Mitchell, and a version of the award winning Broadway production adapted to be better suited for young singing voices, expand the ensemble cast size, and remove some elements not suitable for all audiences.

“This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and definitely hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone… invite[ing] audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back,” reads the synopsis of the production.

“Hadestown: Teen Edition” is a sung-through production, with music inspired by American folk and vintage New Orleans jazz.

“This will also be our first Starstruck Players production featuring live musicians for the actors to perform with, so we are very excited about that,” Lehmann added.

The synopsis adds that the show “pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.”

The Starstruck Players is a tuition-based youth theatre education troupe. Orpheus Theatre normally puts on shows in the spring, summer and fall. Usually the performances at the end of the semester are at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta “to give the students a fully immersive theatre learning experience,” according to Lehmann.

“The cast and production students learn to work together, learning theater skills and processes, while they develop incredibly important life skills as well as their self-confidence,” she said.

Spring and fall semesters are open to those ages eight to 18 and involve an audition process. The summer session is open to those ages six to 18 on a first come, first served registration basis.
Additional upcoming fundraisers for the production are an art auction featuring works from members of the troupe and a partnership with Panera Bread in Oneonta, by which a portion of proceeds will go to the program. All fundraiser proceeds go directly to supporting the shows through funding “set design, costumes, props, as well as the live musicians,” according to Lehmann. Visit www.orpheustheatre.org for more information.

“Hadestown: Teen Edition” will be performed by the Starstruck Players youth troupe June 6-8 at the Foothills PAC. The shows on June 6 and 7 begin at 7:30 p.m. and the show on June 8 will begin at 3 p.m.

“Hadestown: Teen Edition” by Anaïs Mitchell is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp., www.concordtheatricals.com.