teens and kids

Arizona Broadway Theatre
by Danielle Ruberto

“Auditions in five minutes!” I’ll explain what that means in a moment...

In July, I attended a production of Grease at the Arizona Broadway Theater with my family. Sitting down to a wonderful gourmet dinner before the show started, I was looking forward to the curtain going up because I had watched the television show “Grease: You’re the One that I Want” and had voted every week for my favorite “Danny” and “Sandy”. I was captivated as soon as the actors walked onto the ABT stage - it was absolutely fantastic! The incredible singing and dancing impressed me the most. The live music was fabulous and the sets and costumes were stunning. ABT’s auditorium was intimate…I felt like I could reach out and touch the actors. A wonderful cheesecake dessert was brought to our table during intermission. I was so fascinated with the whole production that in between bites I actually wondered aloud, “what does it take to put on a musical like this?” While the words still lingered in the air, my beloved Father enrolled my brother and I in ABT’s Academy for Young Performer’s summer program. Neither of us had any acting experience so we were a little nervous and didn’t know what to expect.

“Auditions in five minutes!” that’s how the Academy started. Hours later, I found myself cast in the lead role of The Missoula Children’s Theatre production of The Pied Piper, playing the “Pied Piper” himself. Although this role required no speaking, I was on stage quite a bit both piping and dancing ballet. My brother James got the role of a “townskid” and had a couple of speaking lines.

Everyday we participated in two to four workshops. We learned about costume design, stage makeup, dancing, acting, and the props used in a real production. The workshops taught us so much, were a lot of fun and allowed us to make friends. We also had rehearsals each day. Being the “Pied Piper,” I had the opportunity to work with all the cast members. My friend Rachel Banks, who played “Sara,” made rehearsing quite enjoyable. Come dress rehearsal, we were all excited. We were assigned costumes and had our makeup professionally done to fit our characters. Since I was playing a male, I was lucky enough to get a mustache and a goatee.

“Happy happiness all around, the happy sights and the happy sounds…” and the performance we’d been preparing for all week began. Being on the stage with an actual audience was thrilling. After our first show, we had a break, and then we performed a second show for the public. Once the productions were over, we were proud and delighted. We had had so much fun. ABT’S Academy for Young Performers gave my brother and I a great appreciation for the theater. We learned everything there was to know about putting on a production behind the scenes and on stage. We made new friends, gained confidence, poise, and self-esteem and had the time of our lives. Whether the theater is your passion or not, ABT’s Academy is an amazing, unforgettable experience for all. Now that I have finished the academy and performed in a play, I cannot wait to see more shows at the Arizona Broadway Theatre. I’ll watch and enjoy with a new appreciation because of everything I learned. I invite you to do the same. For more information on Arizona Broadway Theatre and the Academy for Young Performers, visit www.azbroadwaytheatre.com or call 623-776-8400.

Danielle Ruberto is the 15 year old daughter of Key publisher Tom Ruberto and a sophomore in high school.

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