Caryl Crane Youth Theatre headed to Atlanta

HURON — It was six years ago that Brian Marshall first attended the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival.Founded in 2003, the Junior Theater Festival brings together thousands of people from theater groups and schools across North America to celebrate musical theater and the arts."It blew my mind to see how our country is filled with people that love theater the way I do, and educators who value theater and the arts as much as I do," said Marshall, who serves as the the artistic director of Caryl Crane Youth Theatre.Members of the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre finish up their preview of the production "Honk Jr." during a send-off event on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 at BGSU Firelands. The group will preform the 14-minute segment of the musical at the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend. On Friday, Jan. 13, Marshall returns to Atlanta, this time to lead the talented cast of CCYT. The cast, consisting of more than 30 area students ranging from age 7 to 18, will perform a 15-minute excerpt from "Honk Jr." for a panel of judges.Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling," "Honk Jr." follows the story of an unconventional looking duck, as he experiences prejudice, bullying, and eventually love and self-acceptance, while journeying home after being separated from his family.Although the CCYT cast will face off against more than 115 other musical theater groups to win awards in a number categories such as "Best Show," "Best Song," "Best Actor," each individual in attendance will be rewarded with the experience of working up close with Broadway actors and distinguished theater professionals.During a send-off event on Wednesday, two actors of the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre perform a portion of the production "Honk Jr." in preparation of the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival that the group will be presenting at this weekend. "Of course we're going to perform our best. We're a small theater company, but we're going to represent well," Marshall said. "But I don't care if we win or not. The whole goal is to give them the chance to perform in front of thousands of other kids, on a huge stage. The festival makes these kids feel great. It shows them the possibility of a career in theater arts."Win or lose, CCYT will return to Ohio and perform "Honk Jr." in its entirety Feb. 2-5 at McBride Auditorium. Tickets are $6-$12, and can be purchased in advance at sanduskystate.com or by calling 419-626-1347.[gallery]The Caryl Crane Youth Theatre presents a segment of their production "Honk Jr." on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 at BGSU Firelands. The young actors will perform the short piece at the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend.