Special to 1812Blockhouse, from Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Spring is finally here, and with it a number of events for families and children are coming to the Renaissance Theatre.
Here’s what’s happening at the Ren in April:
Disney’s Descendants (April 1 – April 3)
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a new on-stage musical comedy featuring the beloved characters and hit songs from the film trilogy. Featuring talented local kids including Madison Kearney, Cassandra Kurek, Ian Barnes, James Perry, Hayley Sleek, Kamryn Gill, Darius Darmody, Gillian Donley, Zavier Alterio, Elijah Gates, Isla Donley, Stella Powers, Abby Bechstein, Payne Schwartz, Morgan Bartholomew, Marek Powers, Graycen Stevens, Alex Trolian, Josh Browning, MaKayla Lawrence, and Julia Conner.
Offering a universal message that everyone starts as an innocent, and should be judged by their actions, and not those of others, the MY Theatre production, directed by Dauphne Maloney and with musical direction by Brian K. Nabors, Descendants features an energetic score including, “Rotten to the Core,” “Evil Like Me,” and “Good is the New Bad.”
Performances April 1 at 7:00 PM, April 2 at 7:00 PM, and April 3 at 2:30 PM, and an additional sensory-friendly performance on April 2 at 1:00 PM.
MindSprouts Annual Creative Writing Program (Deadline April 15)
The annual MindSprouts Creative Writing contest invites students to submit one composition in one or more of the following categories: short story, play, or poem. This year’s contest theme is “Our Wonderful and Wacky World!” Top submissions from each grade band in the MindSprouts contest are sent to a celebrity panel for judging, then adapted for the stage and showcased at the Renaissance on May 19 at 7:00 PM.
All submissions to the MindSprouts contest must correspond to the theme: “Our Wonderful and Wacky World!” Interested students may submit individually, or students may submit one collaborative work from a group of up to three students. All submissions must be received by the Renaissance no later than April 15 to be eligible for inclusion in the contest. Submissions should be emailed to [email protected] and postal submissions can be mailed to: Dauphne Maloney, Renaissance Education Department, 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, OH 44902. For more information, please contact Dauphne Maloney at [email protected] or 419-522-2726 ext. 212.
Improv Underground Open Mic Night Performance (April 6)
The Ren will present its Annual Improv Underground “Open Mic” night April 6 at 7:00 PM. The performance will take place at the Renaissance Theatre’s Theatre 166, located at 166 Park Avenue West. A free theatre improvisation performance, the show is open to the public, and will highlight skills learned by the Ren’s 2022 Improv Underground class participants. Improv Underground is a part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series.
Sensory-Friendly Teddy Bear Concert: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (April 10)
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the concert features an engaging original script by Michael Thomas, accompanied by music. The performance will be held on Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 PM in the Ren’s Theatre 166 venue, located at 166 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio. The sensory-friendly concert is designed for young audiences and their families. The story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears features audience participation, interactive storytelling with local actors, and an array of fun music featuring Mansfield Symphony musicians.
Teddy Bear Concerts allow audience members to sit alongside the performers and musicians for an up close and personal experience. Geared to children ages 2 through 10, each Teddy Bear Concert offers interactive storytelling as well as a relaxed environment. Small audience sizes, lights up, and low sound levels, as well as safe sensory spaces allow audience members with autism to be accommodated at this performance.
Tickets are just $5 each, and are on sale at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone at 419-522-2726, and online at https://bit.ly/ThreeLittleWolvesPR. This performance has limited tickets available. Additional support for the Teddy Bear concerts comes from Nationwide Children’s, the Ohio Arts Council, and from Sharon Granter, in memory of her late husband, Don.
For tickets or more information, visit rentickets.org or call the box office at 419-522-2726
Photo: Courtesy of D23
