Like the final act of the play its helping finance, an Orangeburg community foundation's grant has saved the day for a popular local production of children's theater.

The Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Drama Club will present "Circus Magic, Fairy Tales and More" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, and 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 2-3, in the high school auditorium. The show is produced by International Baccalaureate Program juniors and seniors.

O-W Theater Director Angela Mack Williams says this is the first time the Drama Club has produced its annual children's show in two years. Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five budget cuts during that time forced the group to cut the production.

"We did get a $1,000 grant from the Dick Horne Foundation this year to help defray the cost of putting on the play," Williams said. "The school district is also matching the amount dollar for dollar.

"People don't realize the cost involved with putting on a play. It starts with paying royalties for the script and continues with costumes, special effects, props, make up, lighting and other things."

Williams says the play's simple plot is one that children can easily understand.

"The play involves two friends who live on a mountain," she said. "One is an elf, the other, a unicorn. The evil sorcerer Sinisade has invaded the mountain in an attempt to destroy it and the frie-ips of those who live there. Evil tries to destroy everything. Everyone gangs up to defeat the sorcerer, and he is banished."

Williams says the audience will also be entertained by the student equivalent of understudies.

"The underclassmen new to the program are doing songs and dances the kids are familiar with as a warm up," she said. "They will be dressed as different characters as they usher the children into the theater.

"Some of the students I have now came to see the show sometime during the 13 years I've taught here. This gives them exposure to and a love for theater."

The cast of 25 is largely made up of the chorus that represents the atmosphere of the play, including trees, animals, water, fire and lightening.

"We appeal to the younger kids but also to high school students," head chorus member Tiffany Grant said. "We also add comic relief to the play and interact with the audience throughout the entire play. This gives us a great opportunity to do a large amount of improvisational acting."

Amber Paquette, a senior at O-W, plays Brackenberry the elf, one of three lead characters in the play.

"I help out my friend Willowthorn the unicorn, to defeat the evil forces of Sinisade," Paquette said. "This isn't only a story about struggling against evil, but about best friends."

A donation of $5 is suggested for the show. Williams says the money raised will be used to help defray costs for other Drama Club events.

"The money can purchase more of what we need, like fees to enter drama competitions, more monologue and dialogue resources, new plays and scripts, and to pay for the costs of transportation," she said.

Grant says the joy cast members take in putting on the play will be obvious to the audience.

"We hope everyone enjoys this," the senior said. "We want to get the community involved to support the Drama Club."

Seating is limited. To reserve seats for "Circus Magic, Fairy Tales and More," call Williams at 803-534-6180.

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T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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