Fandangle rehearsals gain momentum
By Donnie A. Lucas
Response to rehearsals for the June performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle has been great, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers, especially among the younger members of the cast.
“We have had a record number of children showing up for rehearsals which is great,” Ayers said. “But it also presents a problem of having enough adult supervision to make sure the kids all stay safe.”
The director said that the Fandangle has people in place on either side of the stage for the Indian Prairie, which is made is up of mostly children.
“We had a total of 59 kids in the cast last year, and this year we have 82 and counting,” she said. “It’s a good problem to have, but we are asking that adults be on stage with their children except for the Indian sequence. We have to ensure their safety, and there just aren’t enough crew members to do that in the other scenes such as the party scene with the square dancers.”
Ayers says that children in all scenes other than the Indian Prairie must have a parent, grandparent, or some adult accompanying them on stage to be a part of the scene themselves.
“When the lights go out to change scenes, we have to make sure the kids are being safely escorted off and not in the way of the sets rolling on stage,” she said. “And one adult can’t supervise more than two or three kids safely, so this is an opportunity to come be part of the show.”
She added that the crew is scrambling to make more head pieces for the Indian prairie, as well as dresses for younger girls.”
All children in the show must be registered using a form online at www.fort griffinfandangle.org.
A schedule of rehearsals is also available on the website by clicking the “cast” tab at the top of the home page, then use the entry code 2022 when prompted.
Children’s rehearsals are held on Sunday evenings for the Indian Prairie and square dancing.
Teenagers participating in Huppi Hi or the Train will meet on Wednesday nights.
General practices that include all large production numbers are set for Tuesday and Thursday nights, with the Ft. Griffin street scene and Beehive sequence practicing on Monday evenings.
All rehearsals are at 7:30 p.m. at the Prairie Theater. No practices are set for Friday or Saturday nights at this point.
