On a Monday evening at LSU’s Reilly Theatre, three rows of young performers practice for the Junie B. Jones musical, mouthing song lyrics as they boom from a stereo. Notes in hand, the dance instructor counts, “One … two … three,” before the boys and girls return to their starting positions.
This was just one of many recent rehearsals led by Playmakers of
Baton Rouge Executive Director Todd Henry and Associate Managing Director Michael Guillot.
As it enters its 35th season this fall, Playmakers will be celebrating the anniversary by revisiting beloved characters from the past such as Junie B. Jones, The Stinky Cheese Man and Charlie Brown. The team also plans to honor people in the community who have contributed to the theater’s success, Henry says.
In addition to staging performances for more than 20,000 people a year, the professional theater aims at reaching young audiences and teaching children and teens singing, dancing and acting skills starting as young as age 4.
Outside of creating four productions a year, Playmakers offers scholarships, summer camps, classes and school and library tours.
We talked with Henry and Guillot in between rehearsals to learn more about Playmakers and what it’s like to work with both young actors and audiences.
How is Playmakers different from other Baton Rouge theaters?
Henry: We are building that next generation of artists. We’re that first stop, where [young performers] are first being exposed [to theater].
What unique experience does Playmakers offer to young audiences?
Guillot:One of Playmakers’ signature things that is really great for the kids is our carpet square. In this space, the stage is actually on the ground level. For our productions we’ll lay out this massive carpet and invite kids to come sit down on the stage [during a performance]. So it’s like, you reach out your hand and you can touch an actor.
Todd, what’s your favorite thing about being executive director at Playmakers?
Henry: For me, it’s about the kids. It’s about the families. It’s about seeing these people come in, the joy on their faces of getting to do what they love to do, and they’re just surrounded by nothing but positivity and support.
Describe what it’s like to work with child actors.
Henry:It’s really rejuvenating for you as a professional actor to see their excitement; it really resparks you. This is their activity; this is the thing they love. Every time a new kid comes in, they’re part of the family.
Todd, as executive director for five years, what do you hope to accomplish at Playmakers?
Henry: Honestly just to keep seeing it expand, grow and continue here at LSU. I would love to see more collaborations―just adding more performance opportunities for professional actors and for these kids.
What is your favorite play of all time?
Guillot: I really love The Flick by Annie Baker. It’s this three-hour play that takes place in a movie theater. There’s a real irony of it taking place in a movie theater and the constant battle of film versus live theater and what the pulls and draws are.
Why is Playmakers’ 35th anniversary season so important to you?
Henry: It celebrates 35 years of bringing quality theater to Baton Rouge families. We now are seeing parents who were once kids sitting on the carpet square bringing their children to their first show. We are so proud to have lasted 35 years as an arts organization.
See a show, and bring the kids
Playmakers’ 2017-2018 season has already started, with the musical Junie B. Jones continuing through Sept. 3. For the holiday season, Jingle ARRGH the Way! is set for Dec. 8-17. In the new year, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales will take the stage in April, followed by You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown in June. Find out more at playmakersbr.org.
This article was originally published in the September 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.
