Kids Theatre Company

Attention young performers: We have the perfect Musical Theatre Company for YOU!!!

Kids Theatre is open to all students entering Grades K-2 in the Fall of 2021! Students do not need any previous experience on stage to join in on the fun. All students who enroll into the Kids Theatre Company will be cast within the production! Classes meet Wednesday afternoons from 4-6pm in our St. Boniface location. The class is led by Ms. Shannon Stoddard (director) and Mr. Cody Walls (musical director).

Pending the approval with the rights - the Kids Theatre Company will be working on the production of Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids this Fall!

Based on the classic animated film, Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS is a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disney's most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage! This 30-minute production is perfect for our youngest performers!

HOW WILL AUDITIONS WORK?

Students will arrive at class on the first day and will be given a script and CD to keep. The instructors will teach a song and dance from one of the songs during the first class. They will be watching how quickly the students pick up material and watch them as a group on their singing and dancing. The following week, the students will review the material the previously learned in smaller groups so that the instructors can see how well the kids can retain information and see their personalities shine through since they'll be more familiar with the material. The goal of the instructors is to make the auditioning process as stress-free for the younger students so that they barely realize that they are auditioning! The instructors will then cast the students within the show -- but whether they are playing the lead or an ensemble character we promise that each child will have LOTS of stage time throughout the show! We strive to make each child feel special and that they get their moment in the spotlight!

Our Theatre Companies utilize the BAND app so that parents can keep up with what the students are doing in class. The casting team will post photos and videos from class (so that students can practice at home) as well as reminders and updates that are important to the show! We believe communication is important and if we all work together the students are sure to thrive in the production!

For further questions on the Kids Theatre Company - please contact the Director of Theatre at: .

Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids

INSTRUCTORS: Shannon Stoddard & Cody Walls

DATES: September 15 - December 18

DAY & TIME: Wednesdays 4pm-6pm
PERFORMANCE: Saturday, December 18

Shows at 10am & 2pm | St. Boniface Auditorium

GRADES: K-2

TUITION: $250 for the semester

*** Limit to 25 students!

ENROLL NOW!

Shannon

Stoddard

DIRECTOR OF THEATRE

Shannon Stoddard began her love of all things performing arts at an early age. She began dance lessons at age 6 and has been performing ever since! She holds her Masters in Theatre Education from New York University and her Bachelors in Theatre from Centenary College of Shreveport, LA.

Shannon is the Director of Theatre with the Community School of the Arts – where she works with children in Preschool through High School. She directs the Youth Theatre Company (grades 7-12), the Children’s Theatre Company (grades 3-6) and the Kids Theatre Company (grades K-2). She also teaches the Preschool Drama classes (ages 3-5). Shannon teaches residencies at Harvest Time and FAITH Homeschool. She also hosts a “LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Creative Storytime with the Fort Smith Public Library where she uses Creative Drama to bring stories to life for kids.

Shannon has worked most extensively with the UAFS Academy of the Arts where she directed and taught nearly 50 productions and camps in 6 years. While there, many of her shows and actors were nominated and won several National Youth Arts Awards — including winning Best Ensemble for “Mary Poppins” and a nomination for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Production for “The Addams Family.” While at the Academy of the Arts, she earned “Teacher of the Year” in both 2011 and 2016.

While in New York, Shannon worked with Dance.Laugh.Learn and Fresh Theatre Arts as well as the NYU Youth Ensemble. Shannon also enjoyed teaching with the Ocean Beach Youth Group on Fire Island where she was awarded “Director of the Summer” in 2017!

Shannon has a great passion for teaching students about theater and loves watching them grow not only as performers but; also watching them grow in self-confidence! She looks forward to working with many new students in the future!

Cody Walls

THEATRE & VOICE

Cody Walls is excited to be joining the CSA Faculty!

Cody is an Arkansas based actor who holds his Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Ouachita Baptist University.

Previously, Cody has toured the country with Bright Star Touring Theatre performing roles such as Velveteen in The Velveteen Rabbit. Other roles include Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls(Arkansas Shakespeare) Don Jon in Much Ado About Nothing (Arkansas Shakespeare), The Park Keeper/Dance Captain in Mary Poppins (Murry’s Dinner Playhouse), and Dickon in The Secret Garden (Ouachita Baptist University).

Cody would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support!