Talented people sought for MCT variety show’s return

A variety show to raise money for the Kids' Acting Academy (KAA) is returning to Marshalltown, and the Marshalltown Community Theater is looking for participants.

The last Kids’ Acting Academy Alumni and Friends Variety Show took place in 2024 and was used to help with the relaunch of the academy after being on hiatus from the 2018 tornado, 2020 derecho and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vanessa Engel, the director of the variety show, said they had 12 acts, 200 to 300 audience members and managed to surpass the fundraising goal of $7,000. The goal is to get at least 10 to 12 acts and have more audience members in the seats. She hopes to repeat or surpass the number of acts this year, stating the more then merrier.

Engel said the show takes the place of the KAA Summer Camp this year. Last year, participants in the camp performed "Finding Nemo, Jr."

"This is partially due to when we could confirm a location to host the camp," she said. "We are so grateful to the Marshalltown Community School District, without whom we wouldn’t have a location for these endeavors at the moment. The district has plans for a gorgeous revamping of the technology within the space, so confirmation for KAA was slightly delayed this year. As a result, we pivoted so we could keep up our momentum to raise money for next summer’s Kids’ Acting Academy with potentially 'The Little Mermaid, Jr.'"

Thus far, she has confirmed the Men's Chorus Quartet will attend auditions in the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center with a wide repertoire to present. Additional Marshalltown residents who want to grab an opportunity to showcase their talent will get their chance next week on Aug. 4 and again Aug. 5.

"We only ask that the performances are family friendly," Engel said.

Performers need not worry about huge time commitments, either. The schedule includes two days of auditions, followed by two days of rehearsal and ending with the variety show performance on Aug. 8.

"We have short times between the auditions and performances because this is a variety show in which folks come up with their own acts that have been rehearsed prior to the best of their ability," she said.

The first rehearsal day will determine performance lineup and will help smooth out any issues. Engel said they will try introductions between acts and confirm all of the necessary elements are present, including light and sound. If a performer requires items such as a piano, overhead screen or tumbling mats, Engel encourages them to contact her via email at vengel@marshalltown.k12.ia.us. The second day of rehearsal will be a straight run-through of the lineup to get an accurate time.

"We do it this way in order to be efficient in regards to our limited time, volunteers and location," she said.

Last year, 60 children participated in the KAA theatre camp with approximately 40 elementary age students in the morning sessions and 20 middle school and high school students in the afternoon. Both groups performed the play for their families and the public and the performances at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center were well received, she added.

"Planning for a full Kids’ Acting Academy Camp takes much time and planning," Engel said. "Generally, I start the process of getting royalties to a show, locations, and staff the winter prior to camp."

If some Marshalltown residents have not been bitten by the performing bug, but want to contribute to the academy, she said they can send donations to Kids' Acting Academy – MCT, P.O. Box 923, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Name: Kids’ Acting Academy Alumni and Friends Variety Show auditions

Location: Marshalltown Performing Arts Center

Address: 1602 S. Second Ave.

Dates: Aug. 4-5

Hours: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.