Just like the lyrics say, “Impossible things are happening every day,” with CCMS Performances right now. Cinderella is about to grace the Robert Frost Auditorium stage, with a glass slipper, evil stepsisters, a horse-drawn carriage and an all-student cast and crew.
From choreographer Cosette Okker and music director Strahlia Durr, to the stage manager Ayla Moses and assistant stage managers Eve Mott and Lena Hill, to hair/makeup lead Maliyah Washington and costumes lead Aliana Haylock, the vast majority of the crew are sixth-, seventh- and eight-grade students at Culver City Middle School. Student led productions – both the actors and the crew – are a hallmark of CCMS Productions.
Culver City High School AVPA students are assisting by making the sets and props and teaching the middle school makeup crew how to do specialized makeup for horses and stepsisters.
And, of course, the cast features multiple talented young singers and dancers. All shows are double cast to give more students opportunities for lead roles. Both Cinderellas, Natalie Cayetano and Milan Hookfin, and Godmother Katie Sriro, are seventh graders, and Godmother Ella Kendall is a sixth-grade student.
“Double casting is so much fun,” said CCMS Theatre teacher Kat Balboa, the guiding light of CCMS Performances, “because the actors work together to develop ideas for their roles and come up with some really fun numbers.”
Grab your ball gown, dust off your dancing shoes, and get yourself to a show! Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m., and 12 p.m. matinees on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 at Robert Frost Auditorium. General admission is $10; students are $8. Cash or check only.
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