Saturday night and Sunday afternoon filled Celebration Hall with laughter and crazy antics from 32 cast members in the annual Children’s Drama performances. Large audiences in attendance supplied enthusiasm and warm responses.

The opening show, Bottle of Joy, by Charles E. Bright, included Amanda Bartel, Nathan Peters, Kyle Brinning, Keilah Brokaw, Hannah Gingerich, Kaylin Brokaw, Sam Swartzendruber, and Zach Weiss.

The second show, Princess, by Judy Wicklund, included Ting Davidson, Amber Davis, Jacayla Litwiller, Mischa De Jesus, Shawna Borntrager, Riley Schmieder, Eleya Raim, Breana Stout, Kaycee Miller, Jacob Bruns, Jama Masylbekova, Cris Lopez, Michaela Gingerich, McKayla Brush, Ellie Stastny, Abbie DeWild, Anne Buckwalter, Liza Brenneman, Quinlan Schrock, Alaina Beatty, Larissa Wyse, Shay Durflinger, Anya Slabaugh, Michaela Prihoda, and Chewy, the dog owned by Whitney Gibbs.

back: Stepmother Alaina Beatty, Chairperson Stepmother Anne Buckwalter, Stepmother Shay Durflinger; front: Queen Dowager Amber Davis, Prince Jacob Bruns, and Stepmother Liza Brenneman

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“Once upon a time …” happens on Saturday night (7 PM) and Sunday afternoon (2 PM) in Celebration Hall on the IMS campus as the Theatre Department presents the annual Children’s Drama. Admission is donation only for the IMS Theatre Department.

Thirty-two students act silly and don over-the-top costumes as they present two short dramas:  Princess, by Judy Wicklund (Contemporary Drama Service) and Bottle of Joy by Charles E. Bright (Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.). Both shows include traditional fairy tale characters who get caught up in nontraditional circumstances. But like all good fairy tales,” they all live happily ever after!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brightened the stage over the weekend. This beloved story held wide appeal as Celebration Hall was packed each night and the cast did not disappoint! Co-directors Mary Forney and Karenza Yoder did an excellent job of getting the absolute best out of the characters who filled the stage with energy!

The cast & crew and many helpers included:

Enjoy a few pictures taken by Gary Yoder.

Susan See

Madeline Miller, Liza Brenneman, Elaine Ropp, Shawna BorntragerErin Ramer

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Erin Ramer

Thanks to several willing and efficient volunteers, the stage set for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has developed in living color. Starting on Saturday, Erin Ramer, who has a degree in Art and Theatre Design, and co-director Mary Forney envisioned the plan and started work. On Tuesday evening, Maddie Miller, Shawna Borntrager, Liza Brenneman, Elaine Ropp, and Susan See joined Erin and Mary to finish the job. What a testament to “Many hands make light work!” Come see the finished product yourself on November 4-5!

Huck Finn (Cody Miller) and Tom Sawyer (Kyle Brinning)

Rehearsals continue for the November 4-5 production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer! Huck Finn (Cody Miller) and Tom Sawyer (Kyle Brinning) both create lots of energy on stage as twelve year old pals keep each other in and out of mischief. Other characters brought to life include violent and angry Injun Joe (Tommy Rhodes), the new judge in town, Judge Thatcher (Sam Swartzendruber) and his daughter, Becky (Anne Buckwalter); Tom’s long suffering guardian, Aunt Polly (Amanda Bartel); and Huck’s benevolent caretaker, Widow Douglas (Mischa De Jesus).

Highlights from the show include fence whitewashing, school mischief, a Bible contest, grave-digging, gold discovering, and cave exploration. Mix in some murder within finding the joy in life, and you’ll find The Adventures of Tom Sawyer runs the gamut of adventure!

Call the IMS office to reserve your tickets – 683.2586 or 656.2073.