Children’s theater troupe to tackle Shakespeare

Staff report

BOARDMAN

The AfterSchool Players, a new children’s theater group, will present its first show this weekend.

The troupe will present “Supper with Shakespeare,” featuring 18 actors age 6 to 15, a collection of some of the most well-known scenes in Shakespeare’s plays.

Scenes from “Romeo and Juliet,” “Macbeth,” “As You Like It,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and more will be represented.

The production will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the group’s theater, 7206 Market St. (rear).

It will begin both nights with a medieval-style dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling 330-518-4064.

Jen Kuczek, founder of the AfterSchool Players, said the theater group gives children a chance to do it all.

“At AfterSchool Arts [as it’s known], it’s all about the kids,” she said. “Our shows are cast completely with children and no adults. Children are involved in all aspects, including acting, directing, script-writing, box-office management, and light and sound operating. Out motto is ‘theater for and by kids.’”

True to their name, the students get together immediately after school so that rehearsals don’t run late on school nights. ASA plans to have its first theater camp next summer.

Kuczek has been acting since she was 8, and has appeared on stage at just about every regional theater. She also spent five years with Magic Carpet Theater, a professional troupe that focuses on children.

It has always been her dream to own and operate a children’s theater and do it her way.

“I think that art should be challenging,” she said. “My belief with kids is that if you expect more, you get more.”

For information, go to afterschoolarts.com.