Not the same old song and dance: Local students to perform at 7th Street Theatre

Youth ranging from ages 9 to 19 will perform at the 7th Street Theatre this Friday evening.

By Kat Bryant The Daily World • May 11, 2017 1:30 am
Photo by Keith Krueger Among the students selected for this year’s Youth Artists Showcase are: back row, from left, Raquel Gray, Ben Fagerstedt, Dylan Moodenbaugh, Bonnie Rowe and Raechel Snow; center, from left: Justyce Brooks, Joie Haviland, Alana Evensen and Hailey Evensen; and front row, from left: Kendall Cavin, Michelle Smith and Stephanie Evensen.
Photo by Keith Krueger Among the students selected for this year’s Youth Artists Showcase are: back row, from left, Raquel Gray, Ben Fagerstedt, Dylan Moodenbaugh, Bonnie Rowe and Raechel Snow; center, from left: Justyce Brooks, Joie Haviland, Alana Evensen and Hailey Evensen; and front row, from left: Kendall Cavin, Michelle Smith and Stephanie Evensen.

Fourteen talented young men and women ranging from ages 9 to 19 will perform at the 11th annual Young Artists Showcase on Friday evening.

Each year, instructors in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties nominate their top students for consideration by a committee affiliated with the historic 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam, which hosts the annual event.

Voice and instrumental students have been highlighted from the beginning. This year, for the first time, the committee also considered students of drama and dance.

Voice instructor Kari Hasbrouck, the selection committee chair, expanded the scope this year and hopes to continue on that track.

“I am hoping that next year we will have even move involvement from the local dance studios and school drama departments,” she said. “I want future concerts to continue offering a variety of musical styles, both vocal and instrumental, and also include other forms of the performing arts such as dance, drama, comedy and poetry.”

Hasbrouck will have five students in this year’s showcase: Raquel Gray, Michelle Smith, Jessah Kiah, Raechel Snow and Justyce Brooks.

In addition to voice, Brooks studies dance under Lori Oestreich. “He was nominated by me, and then I asked Lori if she would choreograph a dance part into his song,” said Hasbrouck.

Piano teacher Merry Jo Zimmer nominated the Evensen sisters: Alana, Hailey and Stephanie. Erica Hollen’s piano students Tyler Marchese and Micah Hollen also will perform.

Vocal instructor Christine Hill backed students Analei Holt, Ben Fagerstedt, Kendall Cavin and Joie Haviland, while violin teacher Debra Akerlund nominated Bonnie Rowe.

”It should be a good show,” said Ellen Pickell, publicity chair of the committee. “Some of the students are very, very experienced, and some are new to this event.”

The committee also selected Dylan Moodenbaugh, a drama student of Patty Sundstrom, but he will be unable to participate Friday because of a district track meet.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. They are available in advance at Harbor Drug in Hoquiam and City Center Drug in Aberdeen, as well as online. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 7:30.

For more information about this event, call the 7th Street Theatre at 360-537-7400.

Performing arts teachers who would like to receive nomination forms for 2018 and beyond should contact Hasbrouck at momsong40@comcast.net to get on the mailing list.

“There are so many talented young people in our area, and this is a great way to let them share their talents with the community,” she said.