#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Sam Walls and David Reimer, "Lumiere"

Sam Walls

David Reimer

Sometimes there is a role in a show that you read through the script and think, "this has to have the perfect actor or the entire show falls flat."  Lumiere is one of those roles -- but we were lucky enough during the audition process to have the perfect actor show up not once, but twice!  Sam and David bring different shadings to the iconic character of Lumiere, but each performance is a stream of subtle and laugh out loud humor, fantastic dancing, and an unforgettable rendition of the classic song, "Be Our Guest." 
We're so happy to get to know these fine actors a little more here -- but you won't really know them until you see them on stage in Theater Arts Alliance's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast! 


What do you do outside of theater?

 
David: I’m currently a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Global Studies. I'm involved in the Model UN club on campus as well as the Chinese Language program. I love learning languages in my spare time when I'm not at the beach, hanging out with friends, or escaping to Disneyland with my partner in crime.

Sam: My hobbies include dancing really crazy in my room to Pandora, playing basketball with my church friends, the piano, and hanging out with my family. I currently just graduated from Visalia Charter Independent Study and I'm taking a year off to do some auditions in NYC. If nothing works out after this year, then I plan to go back to school to Point Loma Nazarene University to study Youth Ministry.

Tell us about Lumiere... what is he like and how is he integral to the story?

Sam: Lumiere, to me, is a very important role in the story of Beauty and the Beast, because he brings a huge comedic aspect that only a few roles have. He is a person/candlestick that never looks at the negative side of problems. Along with that, he can also turn sad, mad, in love, etc. within 10 seconds which I think, makes him a very unique character. Lumiere has just the right amount of personality to bring this show to life.

David: If you watch the show carefully, Lumiere is more than just comedic relief. He arguably plays the most essential role in reversing the spell by bringing Belle and the Beast together; he has a knack for being a unifier. Beyond that, he represents the idea hope and optimism can exist even during dark times: his joy and humor are illuminating!


What other theatrical projects have you done recently? What are some of your favorites? 

David: After I got to college, I became less active in theater as I would like but was still able to find time to perform. I’ve done two productions of "West Side Story" in my hometown of Reedley which were certainly theater highlights. I also did a little known Shakespeare show called “Cymbeline” and “Sound of Music” during my freshmen year of college. However, most of these shows pale in comparison to performing my own written show during my senior year of high school. Performing iconic shows is great but being able to write and produce your own show was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Sam: I've recently done shows that range from soft ballet, such as The Nutcracker Ballet for TAA, to more mature shows, such as South Pacific. Some of my favorite shows to be in were; Guys and Dolls, Godspell, Big River, and Cinderella.
 
Why musical theater? How is it important to you personally and to communities as a whole? 

Sam: The reason I do musical theater is because, obviously I love it. But it also helps me push out emotions that I couldn't normally show people in a regular conversation. It is much easier to put it into a character and perform in front of people. Especially if it is a negative thing because you could put it in a positive role and use it to make hundreds of people smile and that is definitely one of the best feelings in the world. Every community should have local theater because it brings so many different people together. It is one of the few things in life that anyone can do. No matter your ethnicity, gender, age, or religion. Theater is made for unique people. It's a second family.

David: Musical theater brings people of all Stars and Stripes together. It allows me to explore multiple facets of the human experience alongside people with whom I would not normally interact. Every rehearsal, 70+ children and adults come together with the single mission of putting together the best show possible. In a world that is increasingly divided, musical theater is a wonderful unifier.

Any immediate future plans/goals? In theater or life?

Sam: I have no immediate plans right now. I'm just trying to get to New York to do auditions. My goal in life is to entertain people. As long as I have people in front of me smiling, my life is pretty much complete. I also want to help kids find their dreams and realize that you do not have to stay in the Valley. Although I love my home and Visalia to the extreme, I know that staying here is not going to get me where I need to be.

David: I am entering my senior year of college and I'm trying to not keep my eggs in one basket. The great news is that I have many options to do exciting things around the world. Musical theater will not likely be in my future but it is certainly an integral part of my past and indicative to who I am today!

 
Who should come and see BnB and why? 

David:  I can't think of anyone person or group that would not enjoy this show. Everyone should see this show. Period.

Sam:  I wish that I could bring every single person on Earth to see this show. It's an absolutely amazing production filled with such a perfect cast. Every person in this show has so much talent it's crazy. I may biased when I say this, but I truly believe that this is one of the best shows that has ever been in Visalia. I'm very blessed to be a part of this awesome production.

See David and Sam and the rest of the remarkable #TAABeauty cast

August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams Theater!
Tickets online at

Brown Paper Tickets: Beauty and the Beast 

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Featured Dancer LeAnn Medina!

Featured Dancer LeAnn Medina is a treasure in Visalia's young artist's community.  She has been part of TAA since our first production, appearing as Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet and we are so glad she is with us!  A sophomore at Golden West High School,  she is not only a competitive dancer but a member of youth symphony as a cellist.  We can hardly wait to see what the future brings for this passionate and dedicated artist!  

You have a beautiful start to your life as a performing artist -- could you tell us some of your background so far?  
I havvvve to start with DANCE!  I started classes at 6 years old and I currently dance at Elite

Dance Acadamy.  I've been studying dance for nine years!  My family did not have enough money to consistently afford dance classes so my aunt helped me out for 8 years financially, but now I'm a teacher assistant which helps pay for the tuition and dance team costs.  I'm in the Golden West "Illusions" dance team as well 

My favorite part of dance is just the feeling of being free in the movement. A dancer knows the feeling of being on stage. Every art has some sort of original feeling of happiness and just loving what you're doing.  When I was five years old I watched Barbie in the Nutcracker every day for a whole year!  My parents always snuck by and caught me dancing the the final pas de deux of the Nutcracker, which at five was just thrashing, jumping, and flailing, but you know what? It brought me to the great world of dance competitions, musicals, and I actually got to dance that final Pas de Deux in TAA's Nutcracker last year!  With no flailing!!
I also play the CELLO! In 5th grade we were given an option of playing an instrument of any

choice. I wanted to play the violin until I heard a teacher play the cello, and I fell in love with the wide variety of tones! It can go all the way to violin land but it can still go quite low similar to a bass.  I'm grateful that I continue to get scholarships for private lessons.  My favorite part of playing the cello is that music is the one language that everyone can understand. Everyone that plays sends a certain feeling to an audience. Whether it be a sad feeling, angry feeling, or cheerful feeling. We all can get it no matter what language they speak. 

You're a competitive dancer -- tell us about that? 

I've competed for 9 years now and it is a tough game. There are many great dancers out there, but in the long run all of us, as a team, aim for improving ourselves and having fun! Many dancers are aware of Starpower, Hollywood Connection, Nuvo, NYCDA, and many other comps. We perform in front of many famous choreographers that are usually from "So You Think You Can Dance" or just famous choreographers in general. Great experience and nothing can match the feeling of passion and adrenaline on stage! And the feeling of winning is great too!

Now you've added musical theater to your list...
I've had some experience on musical theater when my studio had classes for it. Really, if you can find a dancer that can sing and read notes, the equation is all set. The hard part is doing that together. At the same time.  But you know what? The best and great old cure is (surprise surprise) practicing!  I absolutely love musical theater because it combines the two things I love most! Singing and dancing!

What do the performing arts mean to you and to the community?
I probably wouldn't be who I am today without performing arts. It's given me many gifts and

happiness in my everyday life! What better way to share your story than through a dance routine, a song, or an instrument?  I feel that the arts can bring a community together because everybody enjoys it!

Who do you think will enjoy Theater Arts Alliance's production of Beauty and the Beast?
Everyone that's a human being that can just sit down and enjoy the great talents of the community that have produced such a great and beautiful production. Beauty and the Beast has a cast that I never knew would be so talented. To add on top of that, they are all from within our community!

See LeAnn and the rest of the fantastic #TAABeauty cast August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams theater! 

For tickets call 559-972-8417 or visit Brown Paper Tickets Online!

#TAABeauty Young Artist Spotlight: Featured Dancer Kaylynn Gardner!

Kaylynn Bonnie Gardner is an eleven year old sixth grader at Monroe Elementary School in Hanford, her favorite subject is math and we at Theater Arts Alliance have known that "KK" was a girl to watch ever since she walked into auditions for the Nutcracker Ballet!  We hope that this talented and enthusiastic young woman continues to be a fixture in our productions!  Here are some of her thoughts on life as a young person in the performing arts! 
 
 
How long have you been studying the performing arts? 
I have danced since before I could even walk, competing with Dancer's Edge in Hanford and the past year dancing with Ruby Slipper in Visalia. Last summer I was in my first production, Annie, where I was a lead dancer. It was so much fun and it truly sparked my desire to be on stage! Last fall I was privileged to be in Nutcracker with TAA. I played the part of Fritz, Clara's brother, and also danced as a soldier, Peppermint and Gingerbread. That was my first real experience with a professional theatre company and I loved every minute! Madama Butterfly with TAA was my first opera experience and it was amazing! With Ruby Slipper, I also performed in Mulan. I am now involved in TAA's Beauty and the Beast as a featured dancer which will perform later this month. I actually learned to walk in my first ballet class in Kings Dance Center in Hanford! I have been dancing ever since! When I am dancing, I feel inspired and happy. I am also an ambassador for a dance company, Sugar. This has been a fun experience and I get to promote their company and share my dance experiences with friends on Instagram.

Can you tell us about some of your latest adventures?  There seems to be a lot going on for you right now!  This summer has been filled with new, exciting experiences for me. I have auditioned for a movie which will start filming sometime this fall, I performed in a music video with Talia Perez, a new Christian artist, performed live with her in Los Angeles, and filmed the music video on top of the L.A. Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles! That was such a crazy fun experience. Saturday night, after rehearing for Beauty in the Beast in Visalia, I attended my very first Red Carpet event in Hollywood, hosted by the producer and casting directors I am currently working with. It was an event to expose new film makers and actresses to the Hollywood elite! I also spent two days the past week filming a movie in Los Angeles. This was a UCLA Student film production where I was a classroom kid and a playground kid. The start was Zackary Arthur (The 5th Wave). I was on the movie set for two days. I met a lot of people. This summer I also had the opportunity to do some stock print modeling, and I had two professional photo shoots in Los Angeles. My mom is in negotiations for two new projects, however, I'm still waiting on those! 
 
Who should come and see TAABeauty and why?  I would encourage everyone to go experience Beauty and the Beast. It's going to be awesome. The singers are all amazing and the acting is very professional. I'm honored to be a part of this production. I think when people experience the performing arts, they can let the cares of the day away and you can relax and be pulled into the story for a couple of hours. The cast for Beauty and the Beast is the largest cast I've worked with and I'm loving getting to know so many new people. My dream is to someday have a lead part in a production so I can showcase the experiences I have had and perform for my family and friend. My dreams are coming true thanks to TAA and my parents and family who support me in this 100%.

Come meet Kaylynn "KK" and the rest of the fantastic
TAA Beauty cast this August 18-21 at the 

LJ Williams Theater in Visalia! 

For Tickets call 559-972-8417 

or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561633

TAA Butterfly Cast Spotlight -- Elizabeth Hampton, "Il Cugina"

Elizabeth in the TCOE production of "Peter Pan"

Elizabeth Hampton is what we call a true "Triple Threat" -- she can act, she can dance, and wow can she sing!  She played the Ballerina Doll in TAA's production of the Nutcracker Ballet and at fifteen has already been in many dance shows and musical theater productions.  
In the Theater Arts Alliance production of Madama Butterfly, Elizabeth plays "il Cugina" -- Butterfly's young and outspoken cousin. 

You've done a lot of dance and musical theater -- what about opera? 
This is my first opera production.  TAA gave me the opportunity to audition along with the rest of the season and I thought, "why not?!

What is your favorite part of the rehearsal process? 
My favorite part of the rehearsal process would have to be singing with such a talented cast. 

How is opera different from other things you've done?
Madame butterfly is very different from any other shows I've been in for many reasons but the main reason is it is in a different language!

What is your favorite section as a singer?
My favorite part to sing is O Kami! everyone sounds phenomenal there and its just fun to sing!

You obviously spend a lot of time on singing -- what are your other interests? 
I practice all genres of dance, study many different musical instruments, and oil paint.

Future goals?
My goals are to continue my career in theatre and move to New York!




 
What can we see you in next after TAA Butterfly?
My next show is Billy Joel's "Movin' Out -- the Musical" produced by TCOE

See Elizabeth Hampton and the rest of the TAA Butterfly Cast March 4th and 6th at the Main Street Theater in Visalia
Tickets at: Brown Paper Tickets: Madama Butterfly 
 

Elizabeth has the same exuberance on stage and in life!

 

 

Dancing Right Out of My Comfort Zone

I've been producing theater for more than twenty years in one capacity or another.  Lots of professional work where I did my job as music director and conductor and didn't have to worry about anything else, and lots where low-budget and scrappy community theater called on me to do everything from hair and makeup to set construction.

Nothing,  NOTHING, I tell you, prepared me for........


The pancake tutu. 

They are beautiful and obviously complicated, and one to three thousand dollars, purchased.  What???  And we need three for the Nutcracker? 

Oh no.  I can do this.  Let's go to YouTube.

Huh.  "How to make a cheap tutu stand up and look like a pancake..."  for a Halloween costume, maybe -- not for grand ballet...  Romantic tutu tutorials galore... (tutu tutorials... didn't even mean for that to be cute...)

And then I FOUND it!  "How to Make a Ballet Tutu"  with the competent looking woman seated in a studio surrounded by gorgeous pancake tutus.

"All you need to make a tutu is a little bit of knowledge..."  (She is so comforting!!! Yay!!!  She's going to impart this coveted knowledge!!!)

"...and a person, who is professionally trained in tutu making."

Wait, what?  Can I get that at Joann Fabrics?  I have somehow missed the human trafficking in tutu makers...

No exaggeration, here's the link, watch the first 20 seconds... How to Make a Ballet Tutu

The first attempt -- 20 some hours of attempt -- seemed pretty okay until I sewed the last seam and stood the layers up.  They didn't meet in the middle!  No one wants a ballerina with no tutu in the back!  But I had learned a lot.  I learned that the basque -- ha!  First I learned what a basque was! -- is supposed to cover up all the layers of stitching.  Mine didn't.  I learned that the pattern I had didn't have enough material to gather, and that I needed to at least double it.  I learned that I still would rather be a musician than a costumer...

But the second attempt -- Ahhh, the second attempt!!  Just look at it!

And it's even prettier right-side-up and on the young woman who will play the Ballerina Doll at the party!

Finished off the day by going to rehearsal to dance in the party scene.  (I'm a conductor.  And a vocal coach.)  I had the time of my life.  Never dreamed I'd be in the ballet I've drooled over since I was a small child.  Much subtle and beautiful legit dancing in this production, but the moment of "courtly" dance at the party is beautiful even with people like me doing it!  Rachel Thompson is a miracle disguised as a choreographer.

How does a vocal coach and musical theater conductor get mixed up in ballet?  Well the answer is also why I haven't written anything in the last six months or so --- but it's coming up soon! 

Get a taste here:  www.theaterartsalliance.com 

Let's get this Christmas Party Started!

"A Place to Foster a Love of the Arts..."

I can't let the end of the year come without writing about the best theater experience I had this year...
 After the shows, the recitals, the concerts, all the great stuff I've gotten to do this year were over, the week before Christmas I participated in one of the most important performances in the Central Valley this year. 
I got to help backstage at the CLIPArts Winter Performance.  
It seemed a lot like helping any other kids' group backstage.  Many reminders about volume (backstage we're not quiet, we're silent... but onstage be really loud!), lost costumes and props, almost-missed entrances, nerves ranging from jumping up and down to a few tears -- organized, joyful chaos.   But this is not just any other kids' theater program.   
These kids are not from the upper-end families whose finances and education lead them (and rightly so!) to seek arts programs for their children.  These are kids who are in foster care, or are at risk for gang membership, or whose families could never swing any extra dollars for a dance class or a voice lesson.  Many of the kids that donned costumes and sang and danced their hearts out have experienced worse things in 6-12 years than most will experience in a lifetime.  But at CLIPArts they are special.  At CLIPArts they are safe.  At CLIPArts they can experience a bit of the joy and light of performing arts

Lim Forgey (my husband, which I am bursting with pride to point out...), founded CLIPArts, or Christ Lutheran Academy of Performing Arts, in 2011 because he felt that as a young person the arts had turned his life around and they were something he could share with kids who needed something positive in their lives.  Since then, the mission of CLIPArts, to be "a free afterschool program offering professional education in the performing arts. CLIPArts is a place to foster a love of the arts, promote personal artistic skill, and build personal self-esteem. Our mission is to provide a service to families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to afford similar performing arts education." has grown from 20 some kids the first year to OVER 50! 

The teachers are kind and dedicated, the program is beautiful, and nothing --nothing-- can describe the glowing accomplishment on the kids' faces when the winter show was over.   They had done it all, from working on sets and costumes to the entire performance, and the experience of hard work being appreciated will certainly spill over into their entire lives, and the joy of music, dance, and theater arts will be a gift to them and into future generations.

I am so grateful that I got to be part of CLIPArts this year, even for a very brief moment.  I am grateful for the reminder of what the arts can mean, and why I love theater and music. 
 
If you'd like to learn more, click here:  CLIPArts Website

And, if this touches your heart like it does mine, please consider a donation to this entirely grant and donation funded program.  Any amount helps to bring arts education to these kids that need it so much!   CLIPArts Donation Page (via Paypal)

 

A Singer/Conductor's December........

 It is So Very December!

Fresno Grand Opera Christmas on Van Ness Concert

I saw a post on FaceBook the first week of December that said "ahhhh, December... Holidays, rest and recovery, fun with family, relaxation... OH WAIT! I'm a musician!

Definitely rings true for me.  But what a great month regardless!
First on the performance list was my Students' annual "Christmas Convocation."  We have a public master-class type Convo every month, but twice a year we polish things up, invite friends and family, and perform.  The Christmas one is hugely fun, and this year was as diverse as "I Want a Hippopatamus For Christmas" to Jason Robert Brown's "Christmas Lullaby."

Two days later:  Fresno Grand Opera Chorus' Christmas on Van Ness Concert!
This was fabulous this year!  Not only did I get to conduct a great chorus but also got to bring a group of my best students to perform as a Youth Ensemble.  They FGO peeps asked for something "Fresh and Different" from the kids -- so we gave them one traditional-ish "Christmas Canon" based on the Pachelbel Canon and also sang "Better Days" by the Googoo Dolls.  A bit of a risk in a somewhat highbrow concert, but very well received!

It's going to be aired on Valley PBS the Sunday before Christmas at 1:30 and on Christmas Eve at 11pm -- but here it is on YouTube also!  Fresno Grand Opera Christmas on Van Ness 2014

The second weekend was filled!  Sang and played with Christ Lutheran Church's choir and handbell choir at the Visalia Christmas Tree Auction Friday night.  Swanky event!
On Saturday I got to watch two fantastic performances:  The COS Dance Show, which is the "final" of the students in the dance classes at COS.  My daughter was in Ballet 1 -- and has learned so much!  Very fun to watch her.  We slingshotted out of that theater to Visalia First Presbyterian for the Messiah Sing-Along, conducted by my friend Paul Raheb and bass solos by my favorite baritone.  Highlight of that bit of the evening was my 13 year old son's scandalized face during "The Trumpets Shall Sound," since I had sung a very disturbing rendition of it including the words "and the baby shall be changed" many times a day for three kids!  The music was incredibly enjoyable, too. :)

Last night was my younger daughter's first of two Christmas dance recitals -- she's really growing, too!  Beautiful to watch her and got to see a three year old class as a bonus... wayyyy too much fun!

Coming up: Watching one more dance recital tomorrow...  prepped an amazing group of about 50 kids for the Tulare County Symphony Holiday Concert on the 20th... Friends and Family Concert for a Senior Group on the 21st... and all the music for Christmas Eve at Christ Lutheran.

I love my work, no doubt -- but a musician's December is not for the faint of heart!  Many rehearsals go into every performance, large or small, and regular student schedules go on regardless!

Christmas Day we will sleep in, stay in our jammies, and eat birthday cake for my daughter.  Maybe the day after I'll start score studying Tosca... :) ♥

Brown paper packages tied up with strings... a theater family's Christmas Tree!