Dream a Little Dream

I have always loved theatre.  My parents raised me to have a love for live stage shows.  As I was growing up, my parents worked to put many local shows 'on their feet' by performing in shows and or working in support staff in costuming, music, set construction, marketing or just being theatre patrons.   I even had opportunities to be on the stage myself.  After those opportunities, I was able to see the passion my father and my younger sister, Susannah, had for being on the stage and I realized that I just didn't have it.  I still continued to love being in the audience and especially supporting my family of theatre stars.  

From Texas High School production of Sound of Music 1988
From left to right:  Rebekah Scurlock Minter, Susannah Morriss Linnett,
Meredith Morriss Farren, Robert Phillips, Laurie Gass Throneberry

Fast forward to having a daughter who caught the familial trait of the 'theatre bug'.  I wanted her to have a place to shine and to teach and inspire her to be the best she can be, with the hopeful thought that through this, she would find confidence and a place to belong.

The Birdie Girls in Silvermoon Children's Theatre's 2014 production of Seussical Jr.
From Left to Right:  Eleanor Hornok, Abby Farren (my baby), and Sydney Sheek

Our perfect little theatre!

This need/desire coupled with my supportive and theatre loving family led my sister and I to start   Silvermoon Children's Theatre in October 2013. A few years before, my parents had poured their heart into their dream of revitalizing a few adjacent buildings in downtown Texarkana, named Silvermoon on Broad.  With my dad's love for theatre, he designed and built a small theatre in the new buildings.  It was the perfect place for this new partnership.

Supportive Family is EVERYTHING!

In the past 2 years, we have had 5 main stage shows (with casting already done for the 6th show), 4 mini show drama camps (and another planned for next week), several Turbo Days (one day workshops), and many opportunities to be in the community through writing contests, parades and other public appearances outside of our theatre.

Susannah and I have learned so much in the last 2 years, and are constantly reevaluating the way we do things to make things run smoother for all involved.  One of the biggest things I have learned personally is that just because I don't enjoy being on the stage or have the experience to direct someone on the stage, there is still a place for me to be a producing member of the theatre.  Susannah calls me Company Manager Plus, for lack of a better name.  She jokingly says this means she is our Executive Director and I do everything else.  In actuality, this is TEAM WORK.  More so than ever before, I believe that putting together a show, should be about TEAM as much as any baseball or football team.

Sisters make the best friends - Christmas Parade 2013

Theatre is such a great place for all kids!  Kids that are good at singing and dancing and kids can't carry a tune in a bucket especially while 'dancing'...Kids who have numerous shows under their belt and kids who have never stepped foot on a stage....Kids who have self confidence and kids that would rather be a wall flower...Kids who have a flair for the dramatic and kids who like to craft, sew, run lights and sound or even express ideas through creative writing.  There is a place for everyone!

Cryin' Wolf cast - Summer 2014

While most kids who become part of our family probably won't end up professional actors, we know that the training that they get while at Silvermoon Children's Theatre can teach them more than how to act on stage.  We believe there are so many life lessons to be taught through the exercise of putting together a show that we have acquired the mantra that at Silvermoon Children's Theatre we practice 'Life Training in Disguise'.

Join us in this blog for our musings about upcoming events, things we are teaching and things we are learning!

- Meredith Farren