The Community Homeschool Players, an off-shoot of the Community Homeschool Learning Group, will present “Little Women” on April 22 and 23 at Twin Valley Middle School, 770 Clymer Hill Road, in Elverson. The play will be performed both evenings at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. performance on April 23.
The cast for this production includes Mary Lauer (senior); Hayley Hopkins (freshman); Abigail Snider (freshman); Nicole Burkholder, Brenna Ezard, Aiden Stratton and Madison Barnett.
“Little Women” is a perfect choice this year for many reasons, one being that more females tried out for the play. In fact, the group had to solicit a male from the younger grades, and cheers on Aiden Stratton for his willingness to be part of this female-laden crew! CHSP also cheers on Mary Lauer, in her senior year, as she graces the CHSP stage for the last time.
This is a special year for CHSP. Saige Hassler, a professional in the field, is the director. She is filling in for the group’s usual beloved director, Megan Colmery, who is on maternity leave. The students this year are learning so much from Saige’s direction.
“I am happy to be joining the crew of Community HomeSchool Players and putting my directing skills to the test,” said Hassler. “Being a company member of the People’s Light and Theatre in Malvern has allowed me to take the stage in over 20 productions ranging from new works to Shakespeare, though now I am feeling blessed and extremely delighted to be working behind the scenes with this tremendous group of kids. Watching these young people dive into their roles and take my direction has been an extremely rewarding process.”
Hassler is thankful to all who have welcomed her as a part of the 2016 production.
“I’m so thankful to Lynne Burkholder for her faith in me and asking me to join the crew and direct this year,” she said. “The way in which our lives weave together to build stories with one another is of such value and I am hoping this role as director continues to unfold. Thank you to everyone who has helped along the way. I only really know what to do with the actors; you all have done everything else. It takes a team, folks.”
Drama is a powerful vehicle for connecting with others, stretching one to go beyond themselves, learning new methods and appreciating others as stage crew and actors collaborate with their different skill sets. The group has seen the power in drama, motivating them to take on such a large endeavor year after year.
The CHSP has performed productions such as “The Three Musketeers,” “I Remember Mama,” “Get Smart,” “Once in a Lifetime,” “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “You Can’t Take it With You,” “Our Town,” “The Match Maker” and, last year, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
The Community Homeschool Learning Group, in existence since 1997, is a group of families who homeschool and desire to bring their children together to study art, music, science and have a time of physical education, things that are more of a challenge to accomplish with just your family. The group has teachers who share their finest talents and abilities with the students. The high school program offers science, art, sometimes music and other offerings. To be a part of the CHSP, one needs to also be part of CHSLG. To learn more, e-mail communityhomeschoolers@gmail.com.