Channeling the young artist within

Photograph provided by the Peanut Butter Players Organization. Imagine a child ferociously singing while she dives on the kitchen floor attempting a grand plié. She spills fresh lemonade from the counter into her hair, creating a work of art which smells and feels like a sticky popsicle.

Realizing her child's potential, the patient mother is determined to find a theater program to channel this energy that could otherwise destroy her house. Crowded search engines reveal a non-profit organization in Colorado which produces 45 shows a year including shows from their classes with at least three main stage shows, holds a full range of after-school classes in theater arts, and shines through summer theater workshops with a large cast summer musical.

Peanut Butter Players (PBP), the answer to many parent's quest, goes beyond imagination and becomes a reality to over 500 children every year. Performing requires determination but can also be a fun-filled experience that kids dream of.  Founder Jo Anne Lamun said the PBP experience is full of the sounds of young people singing, talents being developed, and friendships being made. Lamun is PBP's producer and director and also the author of 11 children’s musicals. She has spent her professional career working in theater.

Photograph provided by the Peanut Butter Players Organization.

“Children enjoy the atmosphere that we have here,” Lamun said. “This is something healthy and creative for them to do.”

Founded in Detroit in 1985, the Peanut Butter Players was a small group of talented and experienced young professional actors ranging from 8-16. Since 1991, the group has performed at different locations including the historic Players Club, which began in 1911 as a theater club and also produced children series, and the New Center that is located in the commercial historical downtown of Detroit . PBP gained recognition by the Detroit Free Press as the "Best in Children’s Entertainment" in 2000, which offered over six plays for the family such as Cinderella and Wizard of Oz.

Photograph provided by the Peanut Butter Players Organization.Six years later,  Lamun moved to Boulder, Col., hoping for the group to grow. Fortunately the company did expand in both members and classes. While housed in the Toadstool Playhouse, the group grew in size and talent, winning awards from the Boulder Daily Camera for the best of Boulder in kid’s entertainment and from the Colorado Parent as the outstanding children’s theater.

“No group beats the Peanut Butter Players for instilling a love of show business, and for training children in the practical skills of speaking clearly, singing loudly and smiling,” said Patrick Dorn from the Boulder Daily Camera. 

Seven years ago,  PBP moved to Lafayette, Col. in order to build a permanent theater space for the group to dwell. The Harlequin Center for the Performing Arts is now the organization’s home.  According to Lamun, premiere performances of Snow White 2000 in spring 2009, I Believe in Make Believe in fall 2009 and Mark Twain: A Musical Biography in summer 2009 has brought the theater to its full potential as an acoustically perfect venue for the voices of children and a family friendly place for quality entertainment. The theater is currently at its full potential while it establishes more growth by children who audition and participate in the shows.

Photograph provided by Peanut Butter Players Organization. “We perform shows that our audiences want to see,” Lamun said.

The production team of PBP is filled with professional part-time teachers and parent volunteers that assist with after school classes, spring and summer workshops and many performances.  Most of the staff is PBP alumni who performed in the Summer Fun and Lunch Bunch programs. Summer and spring mini-workshops are four weeks long and provide kids with preparation for summer musical auditions. An acting class for the ages of 4-8 allows children to experience the magic of the stage, develop vocal projection, and improve in movement and teamwork. A more advanced acting class for the ages of 9-12 consist of short scenes, monologues, improvisation, and pantomime.

PBP just finished their production of Annie, and is currently working on their summer production, Hans Christian Andersen, a play based on the old Danny Kaye movie which chronicles Andersen’s life in Copenhagen after he is dismissed as a school teacher in Odense. This will feature The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and two ballets.

“I was touched by the magic of children,” a parent of a summer workshop student said. “My seven year old learned that you don’t have to stress. If you believe in yourself you can do it.”

Camille Chuks is a rising senior at Liberty University majoring in print journalism and video broadcasting. She enjoys freelance writing and photography.