A Christmas Carole tale by Anna Amis, OKC

My three children participated in Oklahoma Children's Theatre (OCT) camps during the summer 2007 sessions. Director Lyn Adams and the staff were amazing and my children are spoiled for life as, in their opinion, all other camps pale in comparison to the fun and creative energy Oklahoma Children's Theatre provides.

As we were leaving our final session, Lyn asked if my children would be interested in participating in the holiday play A Christmas Carole. I told her I would look at the commitment and would let her know.

I was particularly interested in my 11 year old gaining the theater experience as she will be entering middle school and we are interested in Classen School of Advanced Studies with a major in their Visual Performing Arts programs. I knew this experience would be a nice addition to her 'resume' and help in the selection process.

Long story short, all three of my children were willing and eager to participate. However, my eldest did not get a role in the play as she was the same size as the OCU theatre students. My two younger children are currently doing roles as Sarah Cratchit and a schoolgirl, and Young Boy Scrooge and a schoolboy.  

The creative mindset of theater continued as Lyn, director of OCT, created pre-performance shows, thus allowing for Evan to participate. As theater patrons enter the lobby @ OCU's Burg Theatre, OCT students are dressed as peasant boys and girls and interact with the patrons as they arrive to watch A Christmas Carole.  The pre-show performances set the mood and extends the theater beyond the confinement of the stage.  My 11 year old daughter, Evan, plays Estella from Charles Dickens Great Expectations. She depicts a vignette of Estella reading to Mrs. Haversham.  

All in all, the lessons and confidence that we have gained from this theater experience has proven to be far greater than basketball, soccer, t-ball and scouts combined.  

There is a LOT of great local theater in OKC. My family and I have a new-found passion! I'll let you know if we get accepted into the Visual Performing Arts programs @ Classen School of Advanced Studies!