Taming the Wild Theater Kids
An Interview with Jonathen Blue
6th St Playhouse Director of Education Jonathen Blue runs the 6th St Studio for developing theater artists. His program offers performance classes and pay-to-play productions for theater nerds of all ages. I took my ankle biters to see his recent Youth Players production of Willy Wonka Kids. As far as kiddie theater goes, it was pretty stunning. I’d like to know more about the guy who just upped the ante on educational theater in Sonoma County. By the way, he likes to be called Blue.
Blue, your production of Willy Wonka Kids was like the SuperBowl HalfTime Show of junior theater. You had it all. Costumes, projections, lighting, staging, choreography, props, rhythmic gymnastics and a kid dressed as an Oompa Loompa whaling on a theremin. Congratulations on a great show!
Thank you so much! Putting this production together felt like the stamp on a new era for me and for our program. It's important to me that we elevate children's programming, not only by encouraging kids to explore but also by allowing them to apply their own creative expression to the process. Every kid has something unique to contribute – be it a theremin or a somersault.
There must have been 50 kids in that production. Theater kids. Not the easiest creatives to work with. How bananas was your rehearsal process?
Yeah! We landed at 63 students for Willy Wonka Kids! Luckily, rehearsals were smooth. The kids just want to do their best and have fun, and we make it a huge point to give every child a moment in the show to shine, which generally helps calm the craziness. The most important thing to remember as an actor of any age is that it is not about you.
You seem like the real deal. Tell us about yourself.
I come from a long line of musicians. We couldn't even sing Happy Birthday in our house without 4-part harmony! I feel fortunate to have had these opportunities to teach not only acting, singing and dancing but also what it means to be part of an ensemble. I have always been a performer, but my love for inspiring youth outweighs my need for a standing ovation. Both are great. But I only weep when it's a standing ovation for my kids.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was a theater kid. Volodymr Zelensky was a theater kid. How do you think theater training benefits children?
Theater provides so many lessons in responsibility and community in such a short amount of time. Any child can benefit from it!
Let’s sell your program. What makes 6th St Studio special?
Undoubtedly, 6th Street Studio is one of the most inclusive programs that I have ever seen. We include as many students of different ages, colors, sizes, neurotypes, and economic footholds as we can. We inject life skills and self-discovery into the process of making theater. Hopefully each student finishes the program having learned more about who they are as a person in this world. It's not JUST about putting on a great show.
What's next for actor, choreographer, "rich and wistful tenor", costumer, projection designer and director Blue?
I am excited to announce that I am working on an original version of Alice in Wonderland for our Youth and Tiny Players Summer Camp 2024! It will have a little bit of something for everyone. You won't want to miss it!
Check out 6thstreetplayhouse.com/studio-classes/ for information on upcoming classes or performances. Sign up for the 6th St Studio eBlast to stay connected.
