Group teaches acting, music
Morgan Cowden is accustomed to learning dance numbers.
The Tutt Middle School eighth-grader is a member of the Augusta Dance Theatre and performs with that group three times a year, but working with the Young Americans last week at North Augusta High School was different.
"We did a lot of dancing," she said.
The children who participated with the Young Americans learned many dance numbers and several choral pieces, in addition to some acting in only three days.
"We've learned tons of stuff," said Nathan Lubeck, a home-schooled seventh-grader from Columbia County. "It's been a lot of fun."
More than 200 children from third through 12th grade participated in the Feb. 26-28 workshop.
The Young Americans have presented workshops in North Augusta several times, averaging once every three years.
The number participating this time doubled, said North Augusta High School teacher Betsy Luquire, who helps organize the group's visits.
The Young Americans performing group dates to the early 1960s. Each year, new faces are part of the traveling company. There are three groups touring. One is in the United States, the other is in the United Kingdom, and one is in Japan. The Young Americans will travel to 22 U.S. cities this year.
Company Manager Sara Findley has been with the Young Americans for five years and remains with the troupe "for the love of it."
"The kids are amazing," she said.
In about four hours on Feb. 26, 12 hours Feb. 27 and two hours Feb. 28, the children learned all aspects of a one-hour variety show, which was performed at the school Feb. 28.
Forty-six members of the Young Americans' cast divided the children according to age and worked on each of the numbers in the show. There was a variety of routines. Among them were a Disney medley and a Beatles medley.
Children learned songs such as Celine Dion's Prayer, and Season of Love from the Broadway musical Rent.
Elementary school children participated in dances to Witch Doctor and One, Two Step.
"It's been very fun," said Eric Carter, a Stevens Creek Elementary School fourth- grader. "I like the dancing. Usually, I just do singing. I like singing a lot."