'Like ducks to water'

PERKINS TWP. — Students will display a lesson of judgement, kindness and self-acceptance as they venture into the world of theater. Third- through eighth-grade students will make their acting debut in a production of "Honk Jr." through Perkins Youth Theater next week. "Honk Jr." is the story of a duckling who is bullied by those around them, including their father, for looking different. The only creature on their side is their protective mother, who comes to their defense. The show follows the duckling on a journey of self-discovery. By the end, they realize they are not a duck but rather a swan, and being different is okay. "It's a great story for this age group. The message is great," show director Jodie Fleming said. The show dates are 7 p.m. on April 24-25 and at 2 p.m. on April 26 in the high school auditorium, 3714 Campbell St., Sandusky. Tickets are available online and at the door: $11 for general admission and $6 for children ages 6-12. Elyse Miller, a third-grade Perkins Schools student playing the "ugly duckling," encouraged the audience to come watch the show because it's not too long, very funny and enjoyable. Mason McDowell, a fifth-grade Perkins Schools student and actor portraying the ugly duckling's father, also looks forward to seeing an audience as he's on stage. Not only is it a good show, but watching what this group of students can do might encourage others to join the organization. The audience will "be blown away by the talent," Fleming said. "I think that it's going to be really entertaining. It's just so cute, and the kids are doing such a great job." Next generation of talent Perkins Youth Theater is a recently created drama program for young Pirates. It allows third- through eighth-grade students to participate in a production like "Honk Jr." This show has 45 cast members, according to Fleming. "At least two-thirds of our actors have never been on stage and have never seen a show," Fleming said. "This is the first time they're experiencing it, and they've taken to it like ducks to water." With the students' first exposure to theater at a young age, Fleming said she looks forward to what these students can do once they are at the high school level. The purpose of Perkins Youth Theater, according to Fleming, is to help students find "their thing." She said students will try extracurriculars and not find any joy or not be good at them. It is a safe place for all involved, according to Fleming. "If you're a misfit, you're not a misfit here," Fleming said. "If you have a sporty background, you still have a place here. Everyone has a place here." The theater is not just about acting and singing. It also offers opportunities to those interested in backstage work like tech, costumes and production. When Fleming's kids were younger, she said the whole family got involved in community theater. She credits this experience to how they turned out now that they are adults. They can talk to others in their lives like college professors, other adults and professionals. "From my perspective of a parent of theater kids, the theater offers a respite from the world, the ugly mean world, and you can be whoever you want to be," Fleming said. "You could put on different cloaks of characters, and I think it helps you work through some struggles as a young person to be able to have this skillset and this respite from everything else." With this being Miller's and the theater's first performance, she said she is a little nervous but not too much. She looks forward to dancing, which has been her favorite part of rehearsal. The best part of the show process, according to Miller, has been in the final moments of show night production. "When the show starts to get together, it's kind of fun to do it with other people," Miller said. McDowell is also enjoying his time on set. He has prior acting experience but said he likes that he can spend time with his friends and has a bigger part in this show compared to past performances. The best part of McDowell's experience in theater has been being able to go through everything with his friends. He said spending time with the cast is the best part of the show and the theater group.