South Coast Repertory Junior Players Present GOSSAMER

Gossamer, adapted by Lois Lowry from her fantasy novel about the power of dreams, will be presented by South Coast Repertory's Junior Players in the Nicholas Studio, April 1-9. The show is directed by Mercy Vasquez. Tickets are available at scr.org.

Lowry's enchanting story follows tiny creatures who gather happy memories and whisper them into the dreams of humans who need them most; the Junior Players portray all the characters, including the humans (and Toby the dog), the invisible dream-givers and even the rampaging horses that represent the worst nightmares.

The cast members come from SCR's Junior Players (grades 6-8), who are chosen through audition after a minimum of two years in SCR's Theatre Conservatory. These young actors attend class twice weekly during the school year, with additional rehearsal time prior to their annual performance.

According to Vasquez, "Gossamer is going to be quite an endeavor for our Junior Players. I knew it would challenge them-and me. Because dream-givers are assigned to help heal and comfort people who have experienced terrible times, there will be dark moments in the play."

But Vasquez chose Gossamer also because it brings to light the real-life crises that many children face today.

"It was simply too important a story to pass up," she said, "and telling it through the mouths of children will have a profound impact." As for the darker scenes, "They are handled with such sensitivity by the author that the uplifting message will outshine the sadder note." At its heart, Gossamer is about the power of compassion and the resiliency and capacity for growth of the human spirit - especially the children.

Vasquez, who teaches the Junior Players during the school year and directs their production, graduated from UCLA with majors in English literature and theatre. She received dramatic training in London at King's College, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and in the Acting Intensive Program in SCR's Theatre Conservatory. She has performed on stage at SCR, Garden Grove Playhouse and Heritage Square Theater.

Lowry is a two-time Newbery Award winner and, in 2016, she was a finalist for the globe's top award for children's books, the Hans Christian Anderson Award. She has written more than 30 books for children and is known for writing about subjects that are both serious and funny. Her book series include the Giver Quartet, Anastasia, Sam Krupnik, the Tate Family, Gooney Bird, as well as stand-alone stories including Gossamer from 2006.

Gossamer
By Lois Lowry
adapted from the book Gossmer
directed by Mercy Vasquez

Dates: Saturday, April 1, at 2 and 5 p.m.; Sunday, April 2, at 1 and 4 p.m.; Saturday, April 8, at 2 and 5 p.m.; Sunday, April 9, at 1 and 4 p.m.
Tickets: $12 general admission tickets may be purchased through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 or online at www.scr.org.

Cast List:
Cameron Arcand: Olider, Trooper, Heap #1 and Sinisteed
Dominic Brack: Elderly
JT Casey: Thin
Kennedy Haynes: The Young Woman, Dowager and Heap #2
Sean Kato: John and Heap #3
Sophia Madrigal: The Woman
Aoife McEvoy: Littlest One and Toby
Sunaya Patel: The Young Woman, Dowager and Heap #2
Colin Root: Fastidious and Duane
Nicholas Trafton: John and Heap #3
Jacqueline Vellandi: Littlest One and Toby
Preston Veravanich: Most Ancient

Actor Hometowns:
Brea: JT Casey
Costa Mesa: Kennedy Haynes
Huntington Beach: Dominic Brack, Sean Kato, Colin Root
Irvine: Cameron Arcand
Ladera Ranch: Jacqueline Vellandi
Lake Forest: Nicholas Trafton
Mission Viejo: Preston Veravanich
Newport Beach: Aoife McEvoy
Temecula: Sophia Madrigal
Tustin: Sunaya Patel

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