Hundreds of boys and girls have used the social, performance and even academic skills honed in the theatre group through adolescence and beyond. And many have parlayed that foundation into careers in show business, noted D'Alfonso.
Alumni of the group include Scott Davis, a lighting designer who has worked on several award winning Broadway shows; Doug Anderson, a director and playwright with the Ashtabula Arts Center; Phil Buiser who operates his own film company; and Amanda McGuire and Andrew Wilson, college students studying the theatre arts.
Assistant director Jen Ferguson is also a product of the YPT program and starred as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" years ago. D'Alfonso is also assisted by Kim Marriotti and Ken Arnold, who also appears with about 30 others age 4 to 22 in "Thanks For The Memories".
The show is a collage of different things the group has done over the years, said D'Alfonso, and includes selections from pieces such as "The Miracle Worker", "Tom Sawyer", "Annie", "Oz", and Ducktails and Bobbysox", among many others. The finale alone includes more than half a dozen songs like "Bicycle Built For Two", "Baby Face", and "When The Saints Go Marching In".
The opening of the show provides a history of the theatre, with 9 year old Madeline Pochatko talking about Aristotle and others addresing the origin of the word "thespian" and different genres.
D'Alfonso said she tried to assign parts to actors that were played previously by a relative, an effective way to thank alumni for the memories they helped create.
Some children arrive at YPT rehearsal seemngly shy, but Ferguson said they are different once they get on stage. In some cases, "you can smell the bacon from the audience", Marriotti noted of a few hammy actors. Everyone who signs up gets a part, D'Alfonso stressed.
"I love theatre," said Anthony D'Alfonso, adding that he enjoys every aspect, from singing and acting on stage to working behind the scenes and his grandmother does put him to work.
It is the first time Samantha Dickson, 7, of Greenville has participated in YPT, and though it was her mother's idea, Samantha said she is havig fun. Her favorite part of the show is "Annie", and she's made a couple of new friends.
Mary Moses, 8, of Sheakleyville, protrays Helen Keller and other roles in the revue. She said "every single thing" about performing is fun and being involved with YPT has helped improve her reading skills.
Ken Arnold, an Edinboro University graduate with more than 10 years under his belt, said people should come see the show for the same reason he thinks 2005 is a good year to do this type of show.
"There are a lot of memories," Arnold said. "A lot of people in the community have been part of this program. It's a good chance for people to look back.
"Thanks For The Memories" will be staged at 7 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Fisher Hall at Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ.
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Young Thespians putting on a show By Monica Pryts Herald Staff Writer In 1979 Charlotte D'Alfonso volunteered to help the man who was directing a play and workshop at the Rec Center. I just went from there said Mrs D'Alfonso, who is celebrating her 25th year as director and founder of Greenville Young People's Theatre. Next week, the youth will present "Thanks For The Memories," a stage show featuring a sampling of plays the thespians have performed since 1980. About 30 people ages 3 to 28 are participating in the production, which is funded in part by Greenville Area Leisure Services Association. The youngest children play various animals, while older members sing, dance and narrate. The actors have been rehearsing since the beginning of June in Fisher Hall of Zion's Reformed Church of Christ, Greenville. They rehearsed in Greenville Recreation Center until 1989, when building renovations brought bad acoustics. Until last year, they rehearsed at East Elementary School, but they're no longer allowed us to use the gym. Mrs D'Alfonso said she's grateful Zion's opened it's doors to the group this summer. The hall has been transformed into a small theatre complete with a makeshift backstage area, colorful costumes and scenery and rows of seats. Most of the groups members are from Mercer, Sheakleyville and Greenville and have returned year after year. Many of the children are following in the footsteps of thier parents who belonged to the group when they were younger. This years play features three children from the Anderson family of Mercer. Zoe, 13, Orion, 9, and Kieran, 4. "We came back because our parents were in the group and we don't get a chance to do this in Mercer," said Zoe, who's been a member for seven years. Orion is in his sixth year and enjoys being in plays because he makes new friends and learns new skills. "You get to learn stage directions and theatrical arts," said Orion. Since joining the group 12 years ago, Ken Arnold, 22 of Fredonia has decided to take theatre to another level. He graduated this year from Edinboro University with a history degree and plans to attend graduate school next year to study theatre history. "I have a geat love of the theatre, and this year we have a sharp, intelligent group of kids," Arnold said. Arnold is doing a little bit of everything for this year's play, including acting, assistant directing and stage managing. He said he's glad to share skills he's learned fro Mrs D'Alfonso. Anthony D'Alfonso, 11, Mrs D'Alfonso's grandson, said he returned for his sixth year because he likes building scenery and acting. His mom, aunts, uncles and cousins were members. "The group teaches the kids a lot about how to work well with other people and keeps them up o their reading and listening skills," said co director Jen Ferguson, 28. Ms Ferguson said she has many special memories of her 18 years with the group and hopes audience members at next week's play will share the good times they had with the Greenville Young People's Theatre.
In 1979 Charlotte D'Alfonso volunteered to help the man who was directing a play and workshop at the Rec Center. I just went from there said Mrs D'Alfonso, who is celebrating her 25th year as director and founder of Greenville Young People's Theatre. Next week, the youth will present "Thanks For The Memories," a stage show featuring a sampling of plays the thespians have performed since 1980. About 30 people ages 3 to 28 are participating in the production, which is funded in part by Greenville Area Leisure Services Association. The youngest children play various animals, while older members sing, dance and narrate. The actors have been rehearsing since the beginning of June in Fisher Hall of Zion's Reformed Church of Christ, Greenville. They rehearsed in Greenville Recreation Center until 1989, when building renovations brought bad acoustics. Until last year, they rehearsed at East Elementary School, but they're no longer allowed us to use the gym. Mrs D'Alfonso said she's grateful Zion's opened it's doors to the group this summer. The hall has been transformed into a small theatre complete with a makeshift backstage area, colorful costumes and scenery and rows of seats. Most of the groups members are from Mercer, Sheakleyville and Greenville and have returned year after year. Many of the children are following in the footsteps of thier parents who belonged to the group when they were younger. This years play features three children from the Anderson family of Mercer. Zoe, 13, Orion, 9, and Kieran, 4. "We came back because our parents were in the group and we don't get a chance to do this in Mercer," said Zoe, who's been a member for seven years. Orion is in his sixth year and enjoys being in plays because he makes new friends and learns new skills. "You get to learn stage directions and theatrical arts," said Orion. Since joining the group 12 years ago, Ken Arnold, 22 of Fredonia has decided to take theatre to another level. He graduated this year from Edinboro University with a history degree and plans to attend graduate school next year to study theatre history. "I have a geat love of the theatre, and this year we have a sharp, intelligent group of kids," Arnold said. Arnold is doing a little bit of everything for this year's play, including acting, assistant directing and stage managing. He said he's glad to share skills he's learned fro Mrs D'Alfonso. Anthony D'Alfonso, 11, Mrs D'Alfonso's grandson, said he returned for his sixth year because he likes building scenery and acting. His mom, aunts, uncles and cousins were members. "The group teaches the kids a lot about how to work well with other people and keeps them up o their reading and listening skills," said co director Jen Ferguson, 28. Ms Ferguson said she has many special memories of her 18 years with the group and hopes audience members at next week's play will share the good times they had with the Greenville Young People's Theatre.
Next week, the youth will present "Thanks For The Memories," a stage show featuring a sampling of plays the thespians have performed since 1980.
About 30 people ages 3 to 28 are participating in the production, which is funded in part by Greenville Area Leisure Services Association. The youngest children play various animals, while older members sing, dance and narrate.
The actors have been rehearsing since the beginning of June in Fisher Hall of Zion's Reformed Church of Christ, Greenville. They rehearsed in Greenville Recreation Center until 1989, when building renovations brought bad acoustics.
Until last year, they rehearsed at East Elementary School, but they're no longer allowed us to use the gym. Mrs D'Alfonso said she's grateful Zion's opened it's doors to the group this summer.
The hall has been transformed into a small theatre complete with a makeshift backstage area, colorful costumes and scenery and rows of seats.
Most of the groups members are from Mercer, Sheakleyville and Greenville and have returned year after year. Many of the children are following in the footsteps of thier parents who belonged to the group when they were younger.
This years play features three children from the Anderson family of Mercer. Zoe, 13, Orion, 9, and Kieran, 4.
"We came back because our parents were in the group and we don't get a chance to do this in Mercer," said Zoe, who's been a member for seven years.
Orion is in his sixth year and enjoys being in plays because he makes new friends and learns new skills. "You get to learn stage directions and theatrical arts," said Orion.
Since joining the group 12 years ago, Ken Arnold, 22 of Fredonia has decided to take theatre to another level. He graduated this year from Edinboro University with a history degree and plans to attend graduate school next year to study theatre history.
"I have a geat love of the theatre, and this year we have a sharp, intelligent group of kids," Arnold said.
Arnold is doing a little bit of everything for this year's play, including acting, assistant directing and stage managing. He said he's glad to share skills he's learned fro Mrs D'Alfonso.
Anthony D'Alfonso, 11, Mrs D'Alfonso's grandson, said he returned for his sixth year because he likes building scenery and acting. His mom, aunts, uncles and cousins were members.
"The group teaches the kids a lot about how to work well with other people and keeps them up o their reading and listening skills," said co director Jen Ferguson, 28.
Ms Ferguson said she has many special memories of her 18 years with the group and hopes audience members at next week's play will share the good times they had with the Greenville Young People's Theatre.
