MONROE - There's more to a successful play than just the actors.
The set design and the props can have an impact on how the play is viewed by the audience, if it's believable and if it captures their minds and imagination.
The Monroe Theatre Guild's Stage Right Youth Theatre Company learned that and more Saturday as four students made props for the upcoming play "King Arthur and the Magical Sword in the Stone."
The students, Madeline McGrane, 15; Ericah Johnson, 14; Delaney Jacobson, 11; and McKenna Christensen, 11; read the script for the play to learn how many scenes were involved and to get an idea of how many props they would have to make. They spent part of the morning making a stone from wood and chicken wire. They also took the pages from an old, heavy book and replaced them with foam to make the book lighter and then painted a new cover for the book.
McGrane has been on the stage in both "Fiddler on the Roof" and "A Christmas Carol." She decided to make props and design scenery for a change.
"I kind of like making props," she said. "In a way, it's more fun than acting."
Suzanne Miller, who taught the class, said people who don't want to act still can be involved with the theater.
"There are parts for everyone, even if you don't want to be on the stage," Miller said.
Making sets and props also can be creative, she added. An actor brings life to the lines of a script. A set designer learns how to turn a written script into something visual.
Stage Right was organized earlier this year by MTG to provide young people the opportunity to learn and perform in all areas of the theater. The workshops include acting, music, design and performing.
"King Arthur and the Magical Sword in the Stone" will be performed May 2. Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to take part in the class, which will include rehearsal and a performance all in one day, Miller said. Students will begin their class at 9 a.m. and perform the play at 4:30 p.m.
The show will be performed in full costume.
More information about the class and about the Stage Right program is available by calling (608) 558-3816.
The set design and the props can have an impact on how the play is viewed by the audience, if it's believable and if it captures their minds and imagination.
The Monroe Theatre Guild's Stage Right Youth Theatre Company learned that and more Saturday as four students made props for the upcoming play "King Arthur and the Magical Sword in the Stone."
The students, Madeline McGrane, 15; Ericah Johnson, 14; Delaney Jacobson, 11; and McKenna Christensen, 11; read the script for the play to learn how many scenes were involved and to get an idea of how many props they would have to make. They spent part of the morning making a stone from wood and chicken wire. They also took the pages from an old, heavy book and replaced them with foam to make the book lighter and then painted a new cover for the book.
McGrane has been on the stage in both "Fiddler on the Roof" and "A Christmas Carol." She decided to make props and design scenery for a change.
"I kind of like making props," she said. "In a way, it's more fun than acting."
Suzanne Miller, who taught the class, said people who don't want to act still can be involved with the theater.
"There are parts for everyone, even if you don't want to be on the stage," Miller said.
Making sets and props also can be creative, she added. An actor brings life to the lines of a script. A set designer learns how to turn a written script into something visual.
Stage Right was organized earlier this year by MTG to provide young people the opportunity to learn and perform in all areas of the theater. The workshops include acting, music, design and performing.
"King Arthur and the Magical Sword in the Stone" will be performed May 2. Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to take part in the class, which will include rehearsal and a performance all in one day, Miller said. Students will begin their class at 9 a.m. and perform the play at 4:30 p.m.
The show will be performed in full costume.
More information about the class and about the Stage Right program is available by calling (608) 558-3816.