Students at OFC Creations Theatre Center, 3450 Winton Place, Rochester, are currently participating in mounting an educational production of Annie Jr. under the direction of Sarah Reynolds. Reynolds is no stranger to Annie after playing the title role in the 1980s national tour.
Students ranging in age from seven to 15 are participating in OFC Creations’ production of Annie Jr. this winter. Due to the pandemic, students are all wearing cloth face masks, with the additional layer of a faceshield while singing, divided up into smaller groups, and sanitizing between each rehearsal. Many students have performed with OFC Creations in the past, but for several this is their very first theatre experience. Annie Jr. is being mounted with two full casts of kids, the two groups never intermix to ensure precautionary contact tracing. Since reopening in July, OFC has had over 1,500 students with no COVID-related issues.
Reynolds’ career goes far past her National Tour of Annie. As well as playing the title role, she has played many characters from Annie in regional and community productions over the years, including Miss Hannigan, Grace Farrell, and Lily St. Regis. Reynolds has also had the opportunity to perform on Broadway in Sunday in the Park with George and Teddy and Alice.
“It’s been an honor to learn from somebody who is professionally trained and also played the role of Annie,” says Emilia Myers, one of the two OFC students currently playing Annie. “It’s cool to think somebody my age could perform around the country.”
Throughout the 10-week program, students meet twice a week at OFC to learn all scenes, songs, and dances for the one-hour production of Annie Jr. Performances are scheduled for late March, but audiences will watch virtually depending on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Students need an artistic outlet during these challenging times,” says Eric Vaughn Johnson, OFC Creations Executive Director. “Most schools do not have the capacity to run a drama program right now, but the students are craving these types of activities, and finding a way to do them safely is most important.”
Students looking to perform in the coming months can join OFC Creations’ spring drama programs and summer camps. OFC recently announced the 2021 lineup for ROC Summer Theatre Experience, the largest theater summer camp program in upstate New York.
From July 5 through August 28, 2021, campers ages four to 18 will participate in 15 musical theater productions across two venues with 25 directors. Most camps run two weeks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with options for before-care and after-care hours. Each camp concludes with performances open to family, friends, and the public.
Details on all of OFC Creations upcoming programs for kids, teens, and adults can be found at www.OFCCreations.com or by calling 667-0954.
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