MOUNT VERNON — For Janis Stone, the arts is the lifeblood of the community.
“I think the arts community makes or break the community,” Stone said. “People in the arts yes are far more engaged, far more tolerant.”
What it boils down to for Stone is “you’re a better citizen if you can appreciate the arts.”
Stone has participated in shows throughout the years, ranging from Disney musicals to more serious dramas like “Of Mice and Men.”
Now Stone she’s involved in the Dreamworks classic Shrek, but in musical format: Shrek Jr. The Musical. Sixty-nine kids and over 20 staff members of MTV Arts are leading the production.
The show tackles subjects of acceptance, self reflection and combating traditional norms, while also throwing in some burb and fart jokes — and in the words of Shrek:
I’m mean!
I’m green!
Get used to it!
The show allows kids who may not have drama opportunities at their school to gain more experience for further shows.
The 80-minute show, directed by Bruce Jacklin, will run Sept. 23 through 25 at the Knox Memorial Theater.
As of Tuesday night, roughly 1,400 tickets have been sold.
The cast will also put on shows Thursday and Friday for Knox County 2nd and 3rd graders.
The Arts IQ production, a subset of MTV Arts that works alongside the Knox County Gifted Coordinator and offers the show to county schools for free as part of the enrichment series. Kids ranging from 8- to 18-year-olds are a part of the musical, with students participating from Licking, Knox and Richland counties.
Kids find out about the shows through word-of-mouth, Stone said.
Production for the show began in mid-July with read-throughs, learning theater and vocal skills and choreography. A week later, auditions were conducted for cast spots, though everyone who goes to the workshop is part of the show.
Once roles are solidified, it takes about seven weeks before the production hits show week, Jacklin said.
With the production being school-aged performers, cast members must find precious time to complete homework and grab a bite to eat, Stone said.
The age range also allows older cast members to take younger ones under their wing, Stage Manager Serra Barrett added. Still, it makes for a challenging production.
“It’s stressful managing 69 kids,” Barrett said.
Despite the struggles, Jacklin loves the musical numbers and excitement that comes from putting a live production together for the masses or on opening morning when the little kids are happy and clapping glued to the stage.
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