Story Theater Company: A performing arts major’s ‘ticket’ to the stage life

As a very busy summer continues for the Story Theater Company of Ames, both young actors and their ISU play instructors are hard at work producing this week’s performance.

Story Theater Company is a non-profit children’s theater that has been around since 2006 to provide acting and educational opportunities to the youngsters of Ames and surrounding areas. Working with 150 children annually, the organization is responsible for two main stage productions each season, as well as classes, camps and workshops.

Speaking of workshops, this week’s classes have been preparing children for a very special performance of the show titled “The Audition,” written by Don Zolidis. With the performance on a Friday night and only a week to prep for the show, it’s a demanding time for STC’s summer coordinators.

The play puts a fun quirkiness on the process of auditioning for a production. Audience members can expect to see the children on stage acting out what they went through when they signed up for the show that they’re performing. Flashbacks are provided that detail a character’s home life and give the show a sense of reality while not being too serious.

Their website says Story Theater Company has provided employment to many ISU Theatre students as teachers, directors and designers that help teach young people about the fundamentals of theater while encouraging self-confidence, responsibility and teamwork.

Brittny Rebuhn, stage manager for “The Audition,” is a senior in performing arts at Iowa State. “I’ve worked three shows for the Story Theater Company as a stage manager. I organize all of the contact information between productions and help Kelsey [Kovacevich, director,] with directing and choreography for the weeklong camps,” Rebuhn said.

Iowa State has played a big part in Rebuhn’s success with the Story Theater Company and her career path. “I am grateful for professor Brad Dell’s suggestion of the Story Theater Company when I was in his class. That was two years ago, and I’ve loved what I do ever since,” Rebuhn said. “The professors at Iowa State have been helpful in every way, showing the students all the hard work it takes in this career. They show you how to prepare for these challenges and are nothing but supportive.”

Friday night’s performance that these children and directors have worked all week for is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Ames City Auditorium. More information can be found at www.storytheatercompany.org.