Learning from live theater

NORWALK — Almost 400 youngsters got a taste of live theater last week at the American debut of a play thanks to Norwalk Arts Center. NAC brought "My Robot" by award-winning Australian playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer, to the Ernsthausen Rec Center Friday and invited all area first- and second-graders. Students from Norwalk Catholic School, Western Reserve, Monroeville, Monroeville St. Joseph and Clyde Elementary attended. "We had such a good response we had to ask Spark Theatre 4 Youth to give two performances," said Vanessa Cook, co-founder of NAC and coordinator for the program. "It was fantastic to watch the kids react to the performance, which was the first experience with live theatre for many of them." The play tackles topics such as loneliness, bullying and learning how to get along with others. Three actors played the six roles and then took time after each performance for questions from the youngsters. Students asked a wide range of questions, from queries about the set to how the actors could memorize all of their lines and how they changed their voices for roles. Cook gave teachers study guides before their field trips so they could incorporate the performance into their lesson plans both before and after the students saw the play. "We are so excited to bring Spark into our community," Cook said. "They consistently produce quality performances geared just for children. With the help of Ohio Arts Council and the Damian Henning family, we plan to bring Spark back for two different plays next spring for other ages." NAC covers all costs for the performances so there is no cost to students. Students in grades five and six will be able to attend a show in March or April and grades three and four can see a performance in May. Schools interested in attending can contact NAC at NorwalkArtsCenter@gmail.com. NAC used funding from Ohio Arts Council and also funding provided by the Damian Henning family. Damian was a Western Reserve student who died by suicide in November 2019. Each September the family holds a 5K Memorial Race In his honor in the village of Wakeman (facebook.com/DamianHenningSuicidePrevention/). These funds support youth suicide prevention and increase community awareness around suicide with support from Huron County Mental Health & Addiction Services and PROSPER Coalition.