Before traveling to area schools, these Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance students will twice perform ‘Ramona Quimby’ at Sawyer Theatre this weekend.

Monday may have been the “Ramona Quimby” cast’s first time stepping on stage in costume, but they will become used to these clothes. Very used to them.

In addition to Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance’s two public performances this weekend, these student actors will wear these costumes in approximately 20 more shows.

In February, they are scheduled to travel to about 18 schools throughout South Georgia, says Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff, the show’s director. Part of VSU Theatre’s annual children’s show includes bringing theatre to youngsters who may not otherwise be introduced to a live stage production.

For most of these school shows, the cast, which also serves as the crew, will rise before sunrise, gather at the VSU Fine Arts Building, and travel to their appointed destinations.

 In some cases, they will begin performing as early as 8:30 in the morning.

The first school show is a short distance, just across town, at St. John’s Catholic School. Others will require a longer drive.

This year, VSU Theatre & Dance brings the children’s play to a school in Americus.

For this date, the cast travels to Americus the day prior to the performance.

They stay overnight, then present the show three times during one day for Americus students.

What the VSU cast brings to these area youngsters is a character who has been the subject of several children’s novels.

Ramona Quimby is a creation of novelist Beverly Cleary. Award-winning playwright Len Jenkin creates a stage adaptation of the character’s adventures.

VSU Theatre & Dance describes the character as “unpredictable. Exasperating. Boisterous and independent. … As narrator, Ramona’s big sister Beezus introduces us to their family and friends on Klickitat Street in Portland, Ore., setting the scene for a delightfully funny and moving collection of vignettes from Beverly Cleary’s books that trace Ramona’s tumultuous third-grade year.

The challenges and joys that these memorable characters meet are timely and familiar, and their togetherness in tackling their sacrifices and adjustments for each other are a reassuring reminder that, though life isn’t always easy, sometimes happy and sometimes sad, it’s our commitment to each other that makes life go on in a kind of miraculous way.”

Bickerstaff notes that he did not read “Ramona Quimby” books as a youngster but his four children have. In selecting a show for this season’s children’s play, he even brought the script home for his children, ages 5, 9, 11 and 16, to read.

“ … They found some parts of it so amusing they continued to talk, and laugh, about them for days,” Bickerstaff says in his director’s notes. “In my dry, humorless adult way, I’ve been amused by Cleary’s insight into children and her ability to connect our stories with hers.”

THE CAST: Jessica Mathis, Jessalin Smith, Jessica M. Moss, Dennis R. May, Elizabeth V. Powell, Joshua Barcol, Laura Michelle, Ariel Balla, Jonathan Butts.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Jimmy Bickerstaff, director; Catherine Schaeffer, choreographer; Deborah Morgan, dramaturg; Michael Driggers, technical director; Matthew Hogan, stage manager, sound board operator, prop master; R. Keith Pugh, scenic designer; Mary A. Jehn, costume designer; Melanie Harkness, assistant scenic designer, prop master, scenic charge; Esther Iverson, costume design advisor; Elie Siegel, Sawyer lighting design, master electrician; Ryan Ponsell, sound engineer, carpenter; Joe Muncy, scene shop supervisor; Rebecca Morris, carpenter; Kathy Raess-Young, costume shop supervisor; Rebecca Hueguet, Patrice Trower, costume shop assistants; Emih Abrahamson, box office manager; John Holladay, box office supervisor; Tess Buis, house manager.

Showtime

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance presents “Ramona Quimby.”

When: Two public shows, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3; 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

Where: Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

 Reservations, more information: Call (229) 333-5973; or visit www.valdosta.edu/

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