Oompa Loompas

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WASHINGTON TERRACE -- If Carolyn Stevens had had enough credit hours to graduate from high school, there would be no Lights Up! Theatre Arts Academy today.

Stevens needed to take a government class in order to walk down the aisle with her classmates, so she took the course after school. One day after class she saw a sign posted announcing rehearsals for "The Sound of Music." Never having acted before outside of church functions, Stevens decided to try out and won the main part of Maria.

Many years of acting eventually led to directing and two years ago the grand opening of her own theater company.

"Children are hungry to perform," Stevens said. "It teaches them so much that they can apply to their lives. They become confident, disciplined, they learn how to articulate and express themselves."

Before Lights Up! opened, Stevens was a director at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. From her teaching skills came many outstanding local talents including Ogden High School junior Jane Bruce, who has had two callbacks from a traveling Broadway company and is awaiting a third; Nate Mikami, who wowed audiences with his duel role in Bonneville High School's production of "Jekyll and Hyde;" Josh Brodis, a senior at Bonneville High School who just finished playing Harold Hill in "The Music Man;" Kim Stephensen of Ogden, who is now auditioning on Broadway; Kyle Olsen, who is now playing the lead role in Weber State University's upcoming production of "West Side Story;" and Stevens' own son, Jeff, who performed for Disney in Japan and is now in China with the Las Vegas Venetian hotel performers.

"It takes hard work but it is so rewarding when you finally get up on stage," Stevens said. "You just can't believe the change in some of these kids. I've had kids come in here hiding behind their mothers and by the time they are in a show they are up there singing their hearts out. I've had kids pull out of depression, kids get over their anxiety, autistic kids right up in front belting out their lines. You of course have kids who want to play the lead roles, but there are others who are just as happy pushing a broom across the stage."

At her studio, Stevens teaches acting lessons to both children and adults. She said she makes no profit, preferring to keep the school affordable for students. A typical acting class runs between $50 and $80 per month and students attend three days a week. Other classes include make-up, stage craft and Shakespeare.

"Not only do they learn how to act, but they learn how to apply stage make-up, how to build a set, stage-managing skills, painting and the technical side of things," Stevens said. "By the time a show is over these kids know what to do from start to finish."

Right now, Stevens is getting her cast of 32 ready to perform "Willy Wonka Jr.," a play based on the Gene Wilder film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." When a musical is written for youngsters, the length is shortened and songs are keyed down to their voice level. The show will be performed at the Union Station Theater April 11-18.

At a recent audition, the actors were trying out for specific parts in the show.

"I would really like the part of Willy but it's hard to tell who is going to get the part. There's a lot of talent here," said Joe Brodis, 14, of South Ogden, who was there with his brother Jeff, also auditioning for a part. "I love to perform and got interested about five years ago after watching my brother. Hearing him sing made me feel good inside and I wanted to be just like him."

Brodis' first big part was that of the magic carpet in Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of "Aladdin." He said he wants to continue acting through high school.

Clarity Perry, 9, of North Ogden, signed up for acting lessons when Stevens opened her studio.

"My first show was "101 Dalmatians" and it was a lot of fun," she said. "I love to get up and sing and dance and I've really learned how to pronounce and open my mouth when I speak so people can understand me. I'm trying out for a part where I can sing in this show. I love to sing."

Libby Lassetter, 12, of South Ogden, first began acting in the 6th grade at Uintah Elementary School.

"I was Lady Macbeth and it was a great experience," she said. "I love watching Broadway musicals and I love getting up and performing and entertaining people. I'm hoping to get the part of Violet or Veruca. Probably more Veruca because most of the time I like to play the villain-type character."

As the actors get up one by one to sing a solo during auditions, Stevens plays their part on a digital piano. Sometimes she sings along with them to help them hit the right pitch.

"That's a little too high for your voice. Let's bring it down a little," she tells one of the boys. "Great job. Give me a high-five," she tells another. All of the actors applaud for one another.

"I love watching them and teaching them," Stevens said. "There's still a place to bring your kids where they can get extra experience in acting. They don't just learn how to perform or be a star, but they learn how to be an artist and have discipline and love for the arts. It's also nice there is still Community Theater out there where families can come and see it live. We just don't get that much any more."

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