Young Haines actors with the Youth Summer Theater Conservancy finished their final rehearsals before their performances this weekend of the Big Bad Musical, a play in which the big bad wolf stands trial by fairy tale characters from a range of stories.

Director Annette Hillman said the kids have put in an enormous amount of work to memorize the lines in the challenging script filled with legal jargon. “The kids are so cute and funny,” she said. “They worked really hard. They’re just really committed to each other and to the whole process. They have become really bonded.”

Roger Gentry, program coordinator, said having the play itself is special for Haines.

“There’s not a lot of theater in the schools right now. Nationwide, funding for the arts has been cut so much,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing. It’s a great thing for the community to see the level of talent this unique community really brought forward.”

The show runs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Chilkat Center.

Bugg Hunter plays the role of the big bad wolf, a carnivore-turned-vegan, who says his actions were misinterpreted by society. Nakeshia Diop photo.

Tiger Lily Wixer, (left) playing the role of the godmother performs at a dress rehearsal of the Big Bad Musical. Wixer said the script was an “experience.” Nakeshia Diop photo.

Players used a variety of techniques to memorize their lines, including writing prompts on their hands. Lex Treinen photo.
Piper Carlson performs as Pig One. Carlson described the character as a “very, very stupid pig.” “I’m trying to be as stupid as I can,” she said. Nakeshia Diop photo.
Annette Hillman gives pre-dress rehearsal instructions. Hillman said the kids were “awesome,” but the script was challenging. “We had a big vocabulary lesson at the beginning to understand, you know, what’s a plaintiff and what’s a defendant,” she said.

Author