Starchild Academy members gather on the staircase to the “Aviary,” one of the many re-invented areas of Olympic Theatre Arts for the academy’s performances tonight and Saturday. They include, from left, Ruby Coulson, 12, (“Founder of the House of Directors”), Abby Sanford, 13, (“Founder of the House of Acting”) and Amélie Mantchev, 13, (“Conery Desecrets”).

Starchild Academy members gather on the staircase to the “Aviary,” one of the many re-invented areas of Olympic Theatre Arts for the academy’s performances tonight and Saturday. They include, from left, Ruby Coulson, 12, (“Founder of the House of Directors”), Abby Sanford, 13, (“Founder of the House of Acting”) and Amélie Mantchev, 13, (“Conery Desecrets”).

OTA Children’s Theatre group sets ‘Starchild Academy’ tours

SEQUIM — The Olympic Theatre Arts Children’s Theatre Program, Starchild Academy of Stagecraft & Wizardry — an original, interactive theatrical experience that pulls back the curtain on all the magic happening backstage — offers special theatrical tours this weekend.

Starchild Academy performances are open to the public for 20-minute excursions from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the OTA facility, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

Admission is $5 per person at the door. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Theatre Program.

Written by Lisa Mantchev, this new event starts at “train station” Platform 21, and then introduces audience members to the four founders of Starchild Academy: the heads of Houses of Actors, Directors, Writers and the Production Team.

Once sorted, the stage manager will escort guests to the headmaster’s office for introductions.

Attendees also may chance upon rogue theater critics, students concocting various potions, main stage preparation spells for the upcoming OTACT show, “The Phantom Tollbooth,” and hear about a superstition (or three).

Finally, participants will have the chance to mingle in the Great Hall where various theatrical and magical objects, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

Rosie Von Engel has been hard at work conjuring extra glitter and stardust.

“It’s a dream come true for any set designer; to be able to use the magic of creativity to manifest magical stages … researching alchemy and owls, using one’s imagination to make a broom dance and teach a young person the power of pretending,” Von Engel said.

This class session was directed by Bonne Smith and Mantchev, and included 16 local thespians ranging in age from 7 to 14.

“It’s so fun getting to pioneer something new in this community,” said Amélie Mantchev, a 13-year-old who has been attending OTA children’s theater classes for the last three years.

“Seeing all these kids come together to perform something they are passionate about and getting to be a part of it, it just makes me so happy.”

For more information, call 360-683-7326 or email office@olympictheatrearts.org.

More in Life

From left, Mercedes Sunshine Shimko and Hudson Soelter.
Club grows local scholarships

The Port Angeles Garden Club awarded five area students… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Be the brightest bulb in the box with holiday lighting

NOW THAT IT is the beginning of November and darkness has truly… Continue reading

A bellwether is traditionally the leading sheep of a flock, which has a bell to lead the others.
BACK WHEN: Is Olympic Peninsula the bellwether?

HERE WE ARE. Just days away from another Presidential election. There is… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: The invitation to feast belongs to everyone

WHILE YOU MIGHT be reading this today, I needed to write it… Continue reading

Prayer gathering scheduled Tuesday

There will be a Election Day prayer gathering at… Continue reading

Prayer vigil set for Sequim election eve

An Election Eve prayer vigil is set for 5 p.m.… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Grace and Gratitude”… Continue reading

A line of colorful witches hats is strung between autumn trees in the 300 block of west 10th street in west Port Angeles.  dlogan
Autumn magic in Port Angeles

A line of colorful witch hats is strung between autumn trees in… Continue reading

Photo by Emily Bishop

Cutline: Suzanna Bishop’s horse Dru happily walks away after head butting the scary “Giant Chicken Monster” at a fun-filled obstacle course hosted by JeffCo’s 4-H Horse Club.
HORSEPLAY: Scaring is caring. Halloween is for horses, too.

HIGH WINDS BLOWING debris wildly through the air on an overcast day… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Grow vendor relationships for greater gardening

AS NOVEMBER DESCENDS upon us and the days are now far shorter,… Continue reading

Preschool celebration slated at Holy Trinity Lutheran on Sunday

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will bid a Fun Farewell… Continue reading

 Christina Baldwin
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

Christina Baldwin will present “Spiritual Practices for These Times”… Continue reading