Andruw and Anthony Gordon
The talented students of Joanne Okain’s elementary drama team at Roy Waldron School in LaVergne have a dream many of them never could have imagined: the opportunity to meet and work with Disney stars, choreographers, writers and teachers.
Okain first got involved with drama in high school and college. When she began teaching at Roy Waldron School, she helped start a drama club. Now she’s seeing a big change in students who participate. Each year, the drama team gets bigger and better, and Okain sees the kids building confidence and becoming more outgoing.
Last fall, nearly 200 of Roy Waldron’s 700 students tried out for the drama team. Of those students, 35 creative, passionate and talented students became members. Now, these students have the opportunity to attend the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. The event will be Jan. 13-15, and the children will have the opportunity to perform, take classes and meet stars and executives from Disney. Stars who have been involved with this festival in the past included Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. The drama team is very excited to see who will be attending this year and have the opportunity to perform for judges.
They will have the opportunity to take singing, dance and acting classes with renowned coaches and industry alumni. They will perform part of a play called Flat Stanley and will compete in front of judges for many awards including Best Student Choreographer, Best Singer and Best Actor.
Okain said it is an important opportunity for these children to see older kids doing something they love and to see the potential that their talents can bring.
There have already been several events to raise money for these talented, deserving children. Parents, teachers and children have tirelessly sold Sonic cards, Logan’s Peanuts, donuts and Little Cesear’s Pizza to bring in any money they can for this trip that will cost the 35 drama team members and chaperones $25,000.
On Oct. 14, the Drama Team hosted a dinner theatre night at Roy Waldron School. The children served a pasta dinner to guests and entertained them with a play called The Price, the Cents, and the Nonsense. The 15-minute play was written by OKain and Rachel Herod. The kids memorized all their lines, performed choreography and sang a rousing rendition of “New York, New York.” It was amazing to see young children with such poise and ability. The kids showed passion and courage when they performed.
Along with the price of the dinner theater ticket, money was also raised through a silent auction after the play. Items that were available for purchase included a 56-inch big screen, a .5 carat diamond, and autographed Titans and Predators memorabilia.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, many vendors will be selling merchandise and donating the profits to the drama team. Vendors will include Avon, Premier Jewelry, Discovery Toys, Willowhouse Gifts and Kitchenware, Gold Canyon Candles and Scentsy. This event will be held at Roy Waldron School from 6–8 p.m.
The drama team will perform Flat Stanley, the play they will compete with at the Junior Theater Festival and for the public on March 8 and 9 at LaVergne Middle School.
Fifth grader and drama team member Andruw Gordon is one passionate member of the team. He performed with his father, Anthony, in The Price, the Cents, and the Nonsense. He is looking forward to the trip to Atlanta and is hoping to pursue acting in the future.
“I put my heart and soul into it,” Gordon said about acting in the drama team. “We’ve all put everything we’ve got into this. ”
His passion for acting began when he was trying to decide what extracurricular activity to choose. He decided on acting and has had enthusiasm for it ever since.
“Art is whatever you want it to be,” Gordon said about his interest in acting. “You can be anyone you want be, even yourself.”
Gordon is just one of the 35 excited students who is planning on the trip to the festival in January.
If you’d like to help the team make it to the Junior Theater Festival, donations can be sent to Joanne OKain, 125 Floyd Mayfield Drive, LaVergne, TN 37086.
