Faces of Carousel: July

This month, we celebrate all of our Youth Participants.

What exactly do we mean by that? With our history of participation theatre, you might think we are talking about our audiences but we actually want to highlight a different group of people.  In addition to our shows, we have connected with young people through a number of enrichment activities, like Theatre Summer Camp, Theatre School, after-school programs, Uth Ink, Commotion Youth Theatre… Over the years, that list has grown pretty long. These different programs share one common goal: they give young people a structure to explore their imagination and the means to express it through theatre.

So, at a time when we celebrate all of the participants who have found that creative outlet at Carousel Players, we thought we would introduce you to two siblings who may know a thing or two about being creative.

Paul and Katherine Drotos
Both Paul and Katherine have been involved with Carousel Players for many years. As a matter of fact, they have been here longer than I have. As they will tell you, they have been a part of several programs and seen many shows. They have also become active volunteers, but I can’t get too far ahead of myself, since we will celebrate our volunteers in November…

A couple of weeks ago, when Paul was assisting with one of our summer camps, I asked him if he could write a few words about his experience at Carousel Players. Here’s what he sent me:

My name is Paul Drotos. Ever since I was five years old and Carousel Players’ own Linda Carson came to my school and taught a drama class, Carousel Players has been an important part of my life. Every summer until I was 12, I looked forward to attending all of the summer camps I could there, and even after that I got the privilege of helping other kids learn while attending summer camps as a student counselor. I have also attended many plays, and even have ushered at a few. To say that Carousel Players has helped my with my creativity, skills and overall personality would be a gross understatement. I’d like to think that Carousel Players has opened up new possibilities in my life, and its community has been an assortment of the most delightful people I have ever met. Not only do I encourage others to attend the wonderful makings of Carousel Players, but I also encourage them to engage themselves in as much as they can with their summer camps, plays and other wonderful activities. It’s not regrettable, and certainly not forgettable.

Paul also got a few words from Katherine, who was out of town at the time.

My name is Katherine Drotos, and I have been coming to Carousel Players for nine years. I have seen a dozen plays, ushered at several of them, participated in many camps, and have gotten to know some extremely unique, creative, and talented people. The environment Carousel provides, whether by a performance or involved activity (sometimes the two are one and the same!), cannot be found anywhere else. Not only do you learn about creativity, teamwork, leadership, and flexibility, and how you can learn to demonstrate those traits, but also how to understand and appreciate those traits and more in others. I have spent many a summer enjoying being part of a camp, whether as a participant or an assistant, and have gained valuable skills and experiences. Even just in observing performers onstage, you are utterly engaged from the moment the lights go down. If one was to have the opportunity to volunteer and be even a small part of this wondrous community, I would say: jump at it! You have nothing to lose.

Both Paul and Katherine articulate very eloquently what Carousel Payers has meant to them. What they don’t talk about is what they have meant to Carousel Players. Which, in a way, brings us back to the reason why we have been celebrating our Youth Participants in July. Our relationship with audiences is intrinsically transient: we arrive at their schools, perform, pack up and return a year later with a new show. These short visits are vibrant and meaningful; they are the heart of our connection with young people.  Our youth programs compliment our productions by allowing us to build longer relationships with intelligent, creative people like Paul and Katherine. You help us build community, and for that, we thank you.

Pablo Felices-Luna
(Admirer of Creative Youth)