Colorful performances mark Special Needs Activity Program
Ashley Schaubroeck performed in the song "Tomorrow" during the Central Davis Special Needs show "SNAPPY Awards." RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Amy Alberts, Donielle Knight, Laura Adams, and Wendy Roberts in "Lonely Goatherd" during the 2014 Production "SNAPPY Awards." RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Brandi Stawisuck is the Warthog in "Hakunah Matada" part of the Center Davis Special Needs" Mutual annual production. RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Diane Wiser is shown holding the award the "Wells Fargo Wagon" group earned in the "SNAPPY Awards" production last week. RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Tyson Alberts is shown in the "Wells Fargo Wagon." He performed as part of the annual Central Davis Special Needs production of “SNAPPY Awards” last week. RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Leslie Bertram poses for a picture after the 2014 Central Davis Special Needs Mutual production of "SNAPPY Awards." RUTH MALAN/Standard-Examiner
Presenters Stuart White and Leslie Bertram just before the second night of the Central Davis Special Needs production.
LAYTON — Colorful costumes, familiar music and cheerful smiles brought joy not only to the audience but to the actors as well.
About 80 cast members along with their leaders took to the stage for the annual Central Davis Special Needs production of “SNAPPY Awards” last week.
The Special Needs Activity Program (SNAP) is a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Central Davis Special Needs group takes in 21 stakes of the church located in the cities of Fruit Heights, Kaysville and Layton and is for ages 12 and older.
Each year they do a special production.
“It is an emotional experience to work with these kids,” said Merlin Fielding, one of the adult leaders who pushed a young lady in her wheelchair helping her to participate.
Those in the program sang and danced to music from well-known musicals from the past and the present, said presenter/leader Leslie Bertram, who along with Stuart White, was a master of ceremonies for the event.
“One of the announcers (Stuart White) grew up in the program,” said director Blake Hazen.
Practice for “SNAPPY Awards” began in February and was held during the weekly meetings.
“A lot of kids come out just for this,” said Hazen, who played the part of the crocodile in “Never Smile at a Crocodile.”
Done in a style similar to awards for Hollywood stars, this unique show had its own shining stars. Each performed according to his or her own abilities, pleasing the audience and inspiring both overwhelming applause and standing ovations.
All presentations were done so well that the judges declared it a nine-way tie and each group was presented with a glistening trophy.
Then to the delight of everyone, trophies were presented to each group for extraordinary talent in a particular category. For instance, those performing “Tomorrow” were awarded a trophy for their exceptional use of the color red.
Dressed in costume including a straw hat with blue ribbon, Diane Wiser accepted the trophy awarded to the “Wells Fargo Wagon” performers while others accepted them for their respective groups.
Craig Cazier, Mikey Tholen, Michael Mather, Zachary Warriner, Torrie Burdett, Sam Perkins, Kevin Lloyd, Cory Linford, Jordan Cutler and Brayden Cutler along with their leaders Keith Mather, Rob Smith and Jon Warner danced about the stage under black umbrellas with glow-in-the dark patches. “Singing in the Rain” was sung while scenes from the movie played on a screen in the background.
Girls and their leaders dressed in red wigs performed and sang “Tomorrow” from the movie “Little Orphan Annie.” Included in this group were leaders Theresa Russell, Glenda Smith and Rebecca Neiderhauser with performers Robyn Ballantyne, Meggan Gibby, Dorothy Gibby, Lori Morrill, Ashley Schaubroeck, Amy Trujillo and Michelle Wyrick.
Ashley sat on a chair in the middle of the stage with her dog seated on her lap.
As “Wells Fargo Wagon” scenes played in the background Tyson Alberts, Jordan Rizley, Windy Warren, Debbie Hoopianii, Tonya Larsen, Laurel Nelson, Katie Green, Jamie Gines, Codee Warrick, Cindy Martin, Craig Peterson, Gloria Perkins and Diane Wiser performed with their leaders and helpers, Richard Heath, D Gold, Diane Cheney, Nancy Wilkinson, Jim Peterson, Rob Smith, LaVere Mathie, Merlin Fielding and Dick Cheney. Some of the special needs people performed their parts while seated in wheelchairs.
Actors danced around stage as the pirate and crocodile reacted with each other to the music “Never Smile at a Crocodile.” Kent Davis, Blake Hazen, LaDonna Davis, Carolyn Mather and Richard Boud were the leaders with the other members of the group being Murielene Bedsaul, Mimi Wooley, Natalie Richardson, Caitlyn LaFontaine, Christopher Mather, Robbie Heber, Bobbie Brennan, Matthew Higgs and Jeradon Smith.
“Good Morning Baltimore” cast members were Trisha Barson, Ashlee Barson, Ginny Rouse, Virginia Peterson, Natalie Linford, Kelli Wilkinson and Cami Peterson with their leaders Desiree Barlow, Natalie Tholen, Michelle Slaughter and Lindsay Barlow.
Amy Alberts and Lisa Eddards sat on stools as Wendy Roberts, Kristen Rosier, Benna Tucker, Peter VanOrden, Jacob Eberhard, Susan Perkins, Zach Facer, Parker Booth and Laura Adams were assisted by their leaders Donielle Knight, Joe Knight, LeOra Warner and helper Althea Adams in there performance.
Nicole Anderson, Carrie Clements, Kathryn Seely, Marilyn Young, Mike Alberts, Bob Carbine, Connor Owens, Emily Ehlan, and Brian Meldrum were assisted by their leaders and helpers Diane Morrill, Kathy Barson, Aaron Barson, Bill Hoellein, Karen Anderson and Sophie Overbeck as they performed to a lively rendition of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
And last but not least Jillair Browning, Kelly Hensley, Rachel Fairbank, Paula Murdock, Sarah Olsen, Brandi Stawisuck, Jessica Zambito, Dallin Anderson, Korey Hymas, Jason Boyd and MacKenzie Bingham danced and sang to “Hakunah Matada” with the help of leaders Linda Voorhees, Linda Watts, Dave Adamson, Dave Wheeler and Mike Larson.
Linda Watts said it is the best calling in the Church to be able to work with these kids.
The cast party was held on May 8 where the recorded event was screened and each cast member was given a DVD of the “SNAPPY Awards.”
“It’s the highlight of SNAP. They really love it because it is focused on them,” said Hazen.
Faith
