60 Kids In The Belfry’s ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ Show Us How To Use Our Imaginations

When I asked longtime theater director Nancy Lafferty why she chose “Willy Wonka Jr.” for this summer’s Belfry Theatre Apprentice Players youth production, she was quick to share her thoughts.

It’s a “magical show that contains many fun characters,” Lafferty said.

“Willy Wonka Jr.” is the “perfect” Apprentice Players show for young actors ages 5-18, she said. The musical opens tonight and continues through Sunday with a total five performances at The Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville.

“The show encourages us to use our imaginations, it tells a great story of hope and everyday values that is relatable to audiences of all ages. It has a happy ending and we all cheer at the end,” she said.

Lafferty has directed theater productions for 50 years. “And while this has been perhaps the most difficult directing challenge I have had, it has been one of the most rewarding directing experiences of my life,” she said.

Part of the challenge was wrangling possibly the largest children’s cast in Belfry history.

To manage a cast of 60 kids, and the age range of the cast, she divided rehearsal time into groups, so that no cast members would be sitting around with nothing to do at rehearsals. Younger cast members rehearsed just twice a week for one hour a night the first several weeks. “They did a great job with that schedule,” she said.

To manage the large cast size, Lafferty has three stage managers, a set crew of four and nine parent volunteers for each show. Up in the tech booth, it takes five people to operate the lights and sound.

Having 60 kids in the cast also means there are lots of parent volunteers, who “have been amazing to work with,” she said. Six of the cast members’ dads built three “very intriguing” set pieces, which are really “cool.” There is a Wonka tower, a hopper for a squirrel scene and a rotating Bucket Shack. “Be sure to watch for the bubbles,” Lafferty said.

What about creating costumes for 60 kids? “As you can imagine, costuming so many cast members was a huge task,” she said. “Led by Norma Floyd, her team has done a fantastic job of gathering the most colorful colors you can imagine. When those Oompa-Loompas take the stage, you will feel like you are looking at a rainbow.”

The Belfry was fortunate to be the recipient of many of the set pieces, set decorations and props, which were donated last summer after the Stone Soup Children’s Musical Theater production of “Willy Wonka Jr.,” which was directed by Joey Murello (the daughter of the late Connie-Murello-Todd, who directed 14 Apprentice Players productions.) And just wait until you see the gates to the Wonka factory that Stone Soup gifted The Belfry, that are “impressive and so fun to have,” Lafferty said. “Kudos to Amber Harvey (of Noblesville), who created most of those items.”

And thanks to EnPointe Indiana Ballet, in Noblesville, for partnering with The Belfry Theatre and providing space for two days of auditions at the beginning of June as well as five weeks of rehearsal space before moving into Ivy Tech the last two weeks of rehearsals.

When Lafferty was a high school teacher, she had a paid staff to help assist with large-scale musicals featuring upwards of 50 students on stage. And the rehearsals, choreography, set design and construction extended far longer than the seven weeks that her “stage crew had to put the production together for Willy Wonka Jr.”

Although retired from teaching school, Lafferty, who is also a pastor, chooses to direct community theater because she loves it. “I’m not really sure people ever really understand the challenges inherent in community theater productions, where no one is paid, and everyone has busy lives. It is always the love of the theater, the value of performing arts and the joy that it gives us, that inspires us to take on the task of a community theater production. Additionally, when we consider the value of a youth production, the joy is exponential, as we pass the torch and ensure that theater will continue to thrive in our state, in our country, and in our world.”

For the first time in the history of The Belfry, in its 58th season, seating is not general admission and is reserved. All tickets are $15. Reserve your seats at www.thebelfrytheatre.com

Want TO GO?

What: Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s The Belfry Theatre presents “Willy Wonka Jr.”

When: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Where: The Ivy Tech Auditorium, 300 N. 17th St., Noblesville.

How much: $15, reserved seating only.

How to buy tickets: Visit www.thebelfrytheatre.com

Who to call for tickets or information: 317-773-1085.

MEET THE CAST

Willy Wonka: Jay Potts, Indianapolis; and Gracelynn Hyman, Fishers

Charlie: Greta Schaefer, Fishers

Grandpa Joe: Ehren Knerr, Noblesville

Mr. Bucket: Ben Ohning, Noblesville

Mrs. Bucket: Addie McMillan, Noblesville

Mr. Salt: Drake Lockwood, Noblesville

Veruca: Avareigh Dillon, Indianapolis

Mike Teavee: Blake Valentine, Noblesville

Ms. Teavee: Morgan Trowbridge, Noblesville

Violet: Olivia Cook, Fishers

Mrs. Beauregarde: Claire Shonkwiler, Westfield

Augustus Gloop: Kyle Gibbons, Fishers

Mrs. Gloop: Ellie Seago, Noblesville

Phineous Trout: Mia Gordon, Noblesville

Grandpa George: Nolan Campbell, Noblesville

Grandma Georgina: Estia Wallace, Noblesville

Grandma Josephina: Bucky Ohning, Noblesville

Matilda: Ellie Long, Indianapolis

James: Micaiah Brown, Noblesville

ENSEMBLE

Brantley Zieles, Westfield; Kai Schaefer, Fishers; Brooke Cropper, Noblesville; Oliver Maudlin, Noblesville; Camryn Oukada, Noblesville; Adalyn Dillon, Indianapolis; Quenton Coston, Noblesville; Coraline Coston, Noblesville; Mia Anderson, Westfield; Kai Korolyov, Noblesville; Lily Thomas, Fishers; Emma Morgan, Noblesville; Anna Morgan, Noblesville; Nolan Fisher, Fortville; Ethan Fisher, Fortville; Lexianne Duvall, Noblesville; McKenna Koehler, Noblesville; Liliana Santos, Noblesville; Cora Foster, Noblesville; Noelle Jarniac, Indianapolis; Kennedy Kelm, Noblesville; Catie Steele, Noblesville; Katelynn King, Fishers; Vincent Lomellin, Noblesville; Mackey Brose, Westfield; Donnie Wedmore, Cicero; Chloe Oukada, Noblesville; Avery Kite, Noblesville; Kaley Kite, Noblesville; Aria Lockwood, Noblesville; Emmalin Fisher, Fortville; Jayna Wallace, Noblesville; Marlee Callahan, Noblesville; Emily Greenlee, Noblesville;

Elena Shonkwiler, Westfield; Charlotte Jamriska, Fishers; Sadie Ohning, Noblesville; Charley Center, Indianapolis; Austin Mitchell, Noblesville; and Dallas Mitchell, Noblesville.

MEET THE CREW

Director: Nancy Lafferty, McCordsville

Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Kristin Buchanan-Schwanke, Indianapolis

Student Assistant Director: Lily Trueblood, Indianapolis

Stage Manager: Kim O’Mara, Indianapolis

Student Stage Manager, Kellyn Johnson, Fishers

Choreographer: Katelyn King, Fishers

Music Director: Denise Johnson, Indianapolis

Set Designer; Stephen Matters, Beech Grove.

Set Construction: Ian Marshall-Fisher, Indianapolis; Kevin Callahan, Noblesville; Matthew Knerr, Noblesville; Matt Steele, Noblesville; Tony Schafer, Fishers; Tony Gordon, Noblesville; Alec Gordon, Noblesville; Matt Fisher, Fortville; and Lily Trueblood and Katelyn King.

Costumes, Norma Floyd, Noblesville; Gail Sanders, Indianapolis; Amy Kienitz, Fishers; Phyllis Hyman, Fishers; Kellie Callahan, Fishers; Melissa Coston, Noblesville; Marcie Hankins, McCordsville.

Props and Set Decoration: Mychal Prochnow, Brownsburg.

Tech Director: Beck Buchanan-Schwanke, Indianapolis

Lighting Designer: Eric Matters, New Palestine

Lighting Operators: Aaron Matthew, Fishers, and Cameron Dowling, Anderson

Sound Designer: Geoff Lynch, Noblesville

Sound Operators: Lukas Bradford, Fishers; Drew Benedetto, Noblesville. Stage Crew: Audrey McGovern, Fishers; Grace Weaver, Noblesville

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com. Betsy’s 17-year-old daughter, Addie, auditioned and was cast as Charlie Bucket’s mom, Mrs. Bucket, in this show.