COLUMBUS, Ohio — Participants in The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio's Summer Teen Program will take the stage as professionals later this week.
After weeks of work, the inaugural program will culminate with a production of the play, "The Day the Music Came Back."
Set in a dystopian future where music is banned, the play follows a group of teens as they discover what they are willing to risk in order to live their lives by their own terms.
The teens participating in the program were able to speak with playwright Alvaro Saar Rios about the story. In addition, participants took professional headshots, worked on resumes and audition monologues and learned about a wide variety of theatre topics from The Contemporary's industry professionals, all preparing them for a future career in theatre.
"We're treating this show as we would any main stage [production]," explained Tony Hoehler, production manager of The Contemporary as well as the director of "The Day the Music Came Back."
The eight teen actors are supported by professional designers, crew members and a marketing team. Additionally, they are paid as professional main stage actors.
"Not only are we learning a show and performing it - which, of course, is amazing - but we're also doing, like, resume workshops, we got professional headshots taken; we are building our portfolios as actors and just learning how to better present ourselves in more professional opportunities later," said participant Jared Morisue-Lesser.
"Being here you get to meet so many great people and you get to make those connections that can, like, help you if you want to go on into the theatre world," said participant Morgan Jackson of her time in the program. "I've been having so much fun."
"They're getting a more holistic, more well-rounded experiences," said Koehler, "so, when they go out into the world, they have more of an education about what to expect."
"It's just so meaningful to hear from people who have a career in the arts and are successful," said participant Finnley Casey. "To get first-hand advice on how you're going to make it in the world...and, not only am I making these connections with these people helping me kind of start off, but also just, kind of, the assurance that everything's going to be OK and if I do what I love, I'm going to be what I love."
"The Day the Music Came Back" runs June 27-30 at the Riffe Center in downtown Columbus. For showtimes and ticket information, visit: https://www.thecontemporaryohio.org/2023-24/music-came-back/.