Young actors bring fairy and folk tales to Theatre Albany stage

ALBANY — Nearly two dozen participants from third grade to high school will bring life to some lesser-known fables and fairy tales this week on the stage of Theatre Albany in the theater’s Summer Youth Program of Shirley Pugh’s “In One Basket.”

For many of the 23 young actors, this will be the first time that they’ve been on the Theatre Albany stage. Veteran performer Chet Dreschel is far from a stranger to the stage, but he’s playing a new role this summer as well.

“I’ve been in more productions than I can count — 30 or 40 productions — here at the theater, but this is my first time directing here,” Dreschel said last week during an afternoon rehearsal session. “I’ve directed shows at my school — I teach at Lee County Elementary School and I do music there and I teach drama. This is the first time I’ve done it at the theater here as far as directing.”

This summer’s program is different than those of previous years.

“This isn’t really a camp,” Dreschel said. “They’ve always done a camp, but we’re doing something different this year, actually putting on a production.

“We were hoping to get more boy participation because it’s not a musical. Boys tend to shy away from musicals a little bit.”

He said the young actors have been hard at work learning the material since the 2015-16 school year ended, with auditions conducted while school was still in session. That will all culminate in four performances on Thursday and Friday at the theater, which is located at 514 Pine Ave. Each day will have a 2 p.m. matinee followed by a 7 p.m. evening performance.

“It’s 12 different scenes,” Dreschel said. “They’re just obscure folk and fairy tales by Shirley Pugh.

“Each of the scenes is two or three pages long, and the kids will probably be in two or three different scenes. It just gives everybody a chance to be on stage and get exposure to the theater, and just have a good time during the summer.”

Dreschel says that one benefit he’s hoping will emerge from the program is that some of the participants will become interested in later joining some of the casts on the Theatre Albany stage. One participant, Donna Dereus, has already been in regular season productions.

“I’ve done four (Theatre Albany) shows in the past,” said Dereus, noting that “A Christmas Carol” was one of them.

Donna, who participated in last year’s youth theater camp, said she’s enjoyed this summer’s program.

“It been very good,” she said, “a joyful experience.”

The young actor was rehearsing a scene with Gabryel Manriquez, who said he’s been in school and church plays but “no acting camps before.”

Gabryel added that he’s enjoyed his Theatre Albany experience.

“But it is sweaty,” he said, noting the insulated vest he was wearing along with a flatcap in his scene.

Daniel McDowell said this was his first Theatre Albany experience after having performed in school productions at Lee County Elementary and Twin Oaks. “I’m having a good time and all,” he said.

Daniel said he learned something in every production he’s been involved in.

“Every play, I find something new,” he said.

Tickets for the shows are $7 for adults and $5 for those 17 years old and younger. Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Albany box office by calling (229) 439-7141.