WILLIAMSBURG – Students at the Anne T. Dunphy School have been hard at work over the last three months practicing lines, remembering cues, honing their deliveries and working on their stage presence as they prepare to bring their version of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” to the school stage this weekend.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., 28 cast members from the fourth through sixth grades will present the classic tale of a young girl’s tumble into a rabbit hole and the host of fantastical characters she meets therein.
Producer Chrissa Young, a paraprofessional at the school, said that the students have been giving it their all as they prepare for the performance.
“It has been great. The kids are really focused and working hard,” Young said.
The actors have been rehearsing four days a week after school for the last three months. The week before the performance they pushed that to Monday through Friday
“It is a lot of work and it takes time away from them for doing other activities like sports,” Young said. “They are really talented, very enthusiastic and dedicated to doing this.”
While the actors are putting in the time and energy for the show so too are their stage crew, 13 classmates that are helping with scenery and mics.
“This is new this year, it allows students that don’t want to be on stage to still be able to participate,” Young said.
The student stage crew worked closely with Patricia La Frenier on painting props and making ready for the play.
“They love it. They even have their own crew shirts,” Young said.
According to Young, parents have also been very supportive, having held a bake sale that raised $300 for the show, as well as providing snacks and beverages to those working on the play.
Last year the school produced “The Lion King” with very elaborate costuming and staging. “I think this is less intense compared to ‘The Lion King,’” she said. “It feels a little more relaxed but it is definitely just as magical.”
Tickets for adults are $8 and $5 for children.
WORTHINGTON – Hilltown Safety at Home is seeking a part-time coordinator for their program, which is based out of the Hilltown Community Health Centers.
The program is designed to offer assistance and information to individuals on things such as understanding abusive behavior, safety planning, understanding the court system, transportation to court, and accessing critical support services.
“This program began back in 2006 with just one advocate,” said Monica Moran, coordinator of the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force. “Now 13 years later, we have really grown and have added two advocates, a child witness counselor and a supervisor.”
Moran said that Hilltown Safety at Home serves victims of abuse and their families as well as those who may not need to identify as a victim or be ready or willing to leave their situation.
“People can call an advocate to get for information or get help in just thinking things through,” Moran said. “Isolation is a strategy that can be used by abusive individuals and to get an outside voice that can give someone a reality check can be very helpful.”
The Hilltown Safety at Home supervisor will coordinate the integration of the domestic violence advocates and other staff into other HCHC programs through outreach, training and collaboration. They will also be responsible for maintaining relationships with community partners, and working in collaboration with state and regional domestic violence agencies, state and local police, court personnel, and other area agencies.
Those interested in the position can visit www.hchcweb.org/ourteam/join-our-team.
Those seeking help from an advocate can call 413-212-8885 or 413-387-3102.
GOSHEN – Sarah the Fiddler will be performing in Goshen at the Town Hall on Sunday March 31. Her concerts include folk, traditional Irish and world music.
The concert will be a 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Parking is available across the street from the Town Hall.
Ideas for this column on life in the hilltowns can set to Fran Ryan at fryan.gazette@gmail.com