The Town Crier: Local News: Dinner and show brought to Manila (11/21/12)

Eighth grade students served at the dinner/show held at the Manila Community Center.

Manila fifth and sixth grade students enjoyed a dinner and show on Tuesday at the Manila Community Center. The formal event was planned and supported by the work of the students. The live show, "Treasure Island," was presented by Hampstead Stage Company, a non-profit touring children's theatre out of New Hampshire.

LeeAnn Helms, principal, expressed her appreciation to the teachers who helped cook the meal, the students who worked hard to raise the money, the sponsors for their support, and the senior citizens who moved to the back room so the young people could use the auditorium.

Sponsors included fifth and sixth grade GT Classes, Melody Caban, Lee Ann Helms, PAWS Parent Group, Farmers Bank and Trust, Kathy DeSpain, Brian and Jamie Cole, Scott and Rachel Gifford, Walking N Cotton Horse Farm; Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell, Amanda Delong, Kim Owens and family and Jimmie Puckett.

Actors Taylor Dardon and Megan Dowd with the Hampstead Stage Company gave a lively performance with each portraying several characters during the play, "Treasure Island."

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Eighth grade students volunteered to work as servers and ushers for the event. They arrived just after 9 a.m. setting up tables and chairs for 250. They beautifully decorated all the tables, set the place settings, filled the glasses, set the place cards, escorted students to their tables, helped everyone find their seats, served the food and drinks, and cleaned up afterwards. Servers were, Emalee Griffin, Laci Wagner Brandy Caldwell, Hannah Perry, Savanah Fletcher, Raven Bradey, Kennedy Woodall, Chris Shaefer, McKenzie Shedd, Destiny Kirkham, Ambrette Veach, Kalib Brooks, Chasity Sharp, Tyler archer, Tanner Stull, Lindsey Chamness, and Ryan Cole. Ushers and servers were Tyler Harrison, Aubrey Kelly, Josh South, Jordan Wilbanks, Leonard turney, Cody Kirk, Spencer Foster Jose Rameriz, Dalton Murphy, and Rodney Laster.

Manila fifth and sixth grade students, dressed for the event, arrived by bus and were escorted to their seats where they were served a lunch of lasagna, salad, rolls, and dessert.

Actors Taylor Darden and Megan Dowd performed the different characters of Treasure Island entertaining the students and guests with their version of the classic Treasure Island.

This is the 30th season for the Hampstead Stage Company that brings high quality, professional theatre to schools, libraries, and communities all over the 48 continental states. The company's goal is to bring great books to live through live theatre, sparking an interest in reading, and creating new says for young people to use their imagination.

The Fall 2012 Classics include Treasure Island and A Christmas Carol. In the spring of 2013, they will be performing historic tales including The Legend of King Arthur and Shakespeare for Kids: Macbeth. They will be presenting The Secret Garden in the Summer of 2013.

The actors chose two students and the Middle School Principal to be a part of the show. The Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, Treasure Island, is a fantastical tale of pirates, adventure, and buried treasurer. The Hampstead presentation shared a life lesson on the danger of greed and the importance of helping others.

Actors received a standing ovation from the students at the conclusion of the play.

Following the show the actors talked to the students answering questions the students presented.

"We would love to make this an annual event," Helms said.