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Local children's theatre group offers a professional stage experience 0 you have a budding Diiiiii, actor or actress in your household? Or perhaps your kids are just a bundle of energy and you're looking for a creative outlet for that spirit. K-W Children's Drama. Leslie Hill's theatre work- shops, could be your answer. Hill has run drama work- shops and directed chil- dren's theatre productions in Kitchener-Waterloo for the past six years. This year's production in progress is the Pied Piper. The drama program is open to children and teens ages eight-15. Hill says she tries to keep the productions as professional as possible. "ll we don't do a profession- al production, kids will never know what it is like to do a real show." she said." 134 King sus., w.ee um: oiuss St attruon Ut "o www..uitgerstravel.com and often surpass adults'. l . . Their imaginations are incredible BY Am! HACHBOIIN ChrqniftCsttAr, -- Leslie Hill K- W Children's Drama director -ftt2ft2f,'ittt3 , n 741-0770 Many of the kids involved in the shows and workshops are simply there for the love of being on stage and the pride of bringing it all together in front of an audi- ence. But, some of Hill's stu- dents have gone on to roles in television series and movies. Hill's theatre group is a mm-profit group. Its board is made up of parents of cur- rent and past students. At their performances, any money received is donated to the Kids' Help Phone, which benefits kids across the country The kids work hard. but Hill says that gratitude is due to the parents too for help- ing with set construction and gathering props. "Sometimes when you're working with kids, it is dim- cult to keep their point of concentration and their focus on the tasks at hand. But their imaginations are incredible and often surpass adults'." riih iindrher role as director both challenging and rewarding. - _ Hill is always looking for new, exciting ways to teach her students. Two characters in The Pied Piper are required to juggle on stage, so this past week Hill brought in nerf balls and the Continued on page IS ARTS FOCUS Piper Marty Pulle'n helped guests celebrate the holi- day season at Deon Heritage Crossroads last Thursday during the historic site's annual Starry Night family event Piping in the hqlidays mu In.“ new Usher in the year 2001 with Rogers Television. Tune into Cable Channel 20 beginning live at It pm. on Dec. 31 and swing the night away with the Royal Canadian Big Band Music Festival's New Year's Eve Tribute to Guy Lombardo, featuring the Tony Barron Orchestra. Coverage will air across Ontario on the Rogers Television network. Join Master of Ceremonies Craig Cole for big band danceable music -- the "sweetest music this side of heaven". and then join in on the countdown to the New Year. The Tony Barron Orchestra presents an exception- ally authentic tribute to the late Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. wearing the signature red jack- ets and playing their classic big band arrangements. One of Barron's dreams was to create a tribute band to Guy Lombardo and until his passing in 1998, The Tony Barron Orchestra traveled and played all over North America. Bandleader Barry Wagner today leads the Orchestra. Tony Barron was a dose personal friend and huge fan of the Guy Lombardo. In fact, he even had a museum in his home dedicated to the accomplished bandleader who was recognized around the world as "Mr. New Year's Eve". -, The Royal Canadian Big Band Music Festival keeps alive the music of the big bands with events and con- certs, and pays tribute to London native Guy Lombardo and his family. Local artist releases first CD A vocal artist in the K-W area has released her st pop album. Shannon Beynon has been involved in the local arts scene since 1990. On the stage at The Centre in the Square. Beynon has per- formed with the k-W Opera and the School for the Performing Arts, as well as sung in local choirs. Her training started with private lessons and includes a degree in music at the University of Waterloo. My Illusion. Beynoris first release. is in stores now. The songs were written and produced by Beynon at Ker Productions. a division of Kor Gallery and Studios.