Actor takes time for the kids

The professional actor, a Salem native, has found jobs all around the country.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LISBON -- Professional actor Sean Loutzenhiser is taking a short break from the stage life to co-direct the summer youth camp for Stage Left Players.
Originally from Salem, Loutzenhiser spent a year at Youngstown State University, then transferred to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, where he graduated in 2005. Since then, he has found professional acting work in different parts of the country.
After graduating, Loutzenhiser worked in a production of "The Full Monty" in the Berkshires, near Albany, N.Y., for about a month before accepting a job at the Naples Dinner Theater in Florida. At Naples, he performed in "Jesus Christ, Superstar," "High Society," "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "La Cage aux Folles."
He will return to Florida later in the year -- this time, Tampa -- where he has secured a position at the Show Palace, performing in "Mame" and a Christmas show.
Loutzenhiser is happy to be making a living doing professional theater. "Success in this field means being able to do what you love," he said. "Some people measure success by fame, but I was taught that success means being continually employed."
Kids theater camp
But for the next couple of months, Loutzenhiser is pleased to be working with local children. He says Stage Left Players has become known in the area for its rapidly expanding youth theater programs. The company is now preparing for its summer camp, Kidz on Broadway."The first two weeks [of the summer camp] is the training period," Loutzenhiser said. "We teach theater basics and do various improv games. At any given time there are always at least four different things going on. We also divide the children up into age levels. The high-school age kids often come back and serve as counselors, and help with the lights, sound and stage crew."
The third and final week of camp is devoted to putting together a two-hour musical revue that the children will perform at the end of camp. "It is a show that we create," Loutzenhiser said. "We pick shows and songs that we love, usually doing two or three songs from each musical. And we expose the kids to musicals they might not otherwise have an opportunity to be involved in, that aren't always doable in a community theater. This year we will probably do songs from 'How To Succeed in Business' and 'Lucky Stiff.'"
Sees improvement
Loutzenhiser has been working with Kidz on Broadway for a while, and says he can see improvement. "When we held auditions, we could see a difference in their auditioning style," he said. "The parents are very committed to bringing the kids out to camp every day for three weeks. They come from all over, too. Stage Left does so many youth theater shows throughout the year, it has really gotten a great reputation. We expect about 40-41 children to sign up for the camp."
Classes run from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the weeks of July 10 and July 17, and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the week of July 24. The performances, which will be open to the public, will be at 8 p.m. July 28 and 29 and 2 p.m. July 30. The camp and performances are held at United High School in Hanoverton. Call (330) 424-5093 for information.