At Homewood Library, Young Actors Make the Play the Thing

The play’s been the thing lately at the .

Young, aspiring thespians are trying their hands at “Reader's Theatre,” a free, six-week program offered by the library’s Teen and Youth Services Department. The program was started in September, says Librarian Mary Wegrzyn.

“We do a different play each week,” said Wergrzyn. "And at the end of the program, members select a favorite play to perform in front of parents and family."

"Reader's Theatre" is set up for children in middle school, grades 3-6. The six players who attended the program on Feb. 15 were all students from Homewood and Flossmoor elementary schools.

Scripts in hand, the young actors taking part in this month’s “Reader's Theatre” put on a performance of “The Caterpillar’s Voice,” a play based on an African folk tale.

10-year-old Raven Reeves, snagged the starring role as "Caterpillar". Reeves did have a slight advantage: she gained experience as a supporting actor in the 2009 independent film, “Chicago Heights."

After a read-through, the young actors all donned hand-held masks to make them look like the animals they were portraying: a frog, a jackal, an elephant, and of course, a caterpillar.

The children participated in two peformances of the play, with some direction by Wegrzyn. While there was much critical acclaim from the parents, it was the performers who seemed to have the best time.

"Reader's Theatre" is offered free of charge by the library, but prior sign-up is required. For more information, contact the .