The latest production in the Meridian Community College lineup is the biggest the school has put on yet according to Todd Brand who serves as the Arts and Letters Series Director for MCC.
“We're getting ready to do our big spring production that we all local area children. This year it's going to be Mary Poppins. We have about 72 local elementary and high school students plus some from the community. So, it's going to be something that's good for the entire family. Everyone from grandpa to the youngest child can come see this show.””
Brand says that what makes this production is that it opened auditions up to the community and not just strictly MCC students."
Brand says that what makes this production is that it opened auditions up to the community and not just strictly MCC students.
“This production is really different in that we really open this up to anyone in the community, and plus we like to have an emphasis on the elementary school ages. We really want them to become a part of what we do; get them on stage and exposed to the theatre so they can sing, dance, and act.It's a safe environment where they don't really have to carry a show but still be a part of a large cast, so, once they get into high school we can really prepare them for that college experience when they come to MCC and become a part of this program.”
Bringing in area elementary students is important according to Brand.
“We know that kids that are involved in the arts do better in mathematics. We know their GPA's are better. When we have these kids what we find is that these are some of the highest performing academic students in the schools. It's also one of those things that really impacts the quality of that person's life. That's the other angle we try to come from; we try to enrich people's live and educate them at the same time.”
Mary Poppins will have shows on April 14 through the 17th. Thursday through Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m. nightly with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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