The Ohio State University at Lima’s Department of Theatre, Film and Media Arts presents The Ugly Duckling the weeks of November 6 and 13, in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts. Public performances are at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 12 and 19, 2023.
Hans Christian Andersen's classic children's story The Ugly Duckling is adapted for the stage by Dr. Joseph Brandesky, emeritus professor of theatre. The story centers on a little duckling who discovers that the things he's been ridiculed for by others – his differences – are what makes him beautiful. Andersen’s tale about an unfortunate young bird who transforms into the envy of all creatures has been a favorite of young audiences since it was published in 1844. The resonances found in the story are still appropriate for young, and older, people today.
“The show is fast paced and engaging with opportunities for audience participation. The show embraces the anti-bullying tenor of Anderson's tale and focuses on the themes of positive transformation and the importance of compassion and kindness,” said Tim Cheeseman, director.
The play is geared towards children K-4 and their families and will include both school visits and public performances. Run time is 30-40 minutes.
“Live theatre is particularly engrossing for young students – the excitement and risk of performing is instinctive for kids – their faces reveal the truth of storytelling and playing pretend,” Cheesman said. “Live theatre is vibrant, unpredictable, and fun. Childhood in the 21st century should engage as much fun as possible, at every opportunity. The arts promote joy, investigation and study, self-confidence, unbiased compassion, creativity, and invigorate the will to live and be kind to others.”
The Ugly Duckling is a production of the Theatre for Young Audiences program. More than 2,300 K-4 students will visit the Ohio State Lima campus over two weeks for school performances. Participating local schools include Allen County ESC, Anna, Bellefontaine, Bluffton, Heir Force Academy, Holy Rosary, Immaculate Conception, Jackson Center, Kenton, Languages and Tutoring Academy, Liberty Arts Magnet, Lima Area Homeschoolers, Pandora-Gilboa, Parkway, Perry, St. Anthonys, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Rose, Shawnee Maplewood, Sidney, Spencerville and Waynesfield-Goshen.
The Theatre for Young Audiences program was established at Ohio State Lima in 1995. Since then, more than 50,000 elementary-aged children have attended the autumn performances in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Tickets are $2 for all children 10 and younger, $5 for seniors, students and children 11 and older, and $7 for adults. Tickets are available at the Box Office, which opens one hour before each performance. Maps to campus are available at lima.osu.edu.
Cast and Crew
Jose Jones (Erie, Michigan; sophomore in Theatre)............................................ Ugly Duckling
Rachel Ryan (Delphos, sophomore in Zoology).............................................. Old Mother Duck
Emma Cales (Lima, freshman in Psychology)................................................... Duckling, Child
Kaitlyn Pratt (Lima, Rhodes State College)........................................................ Duckling, Child
Has Albano-Seitz (Lima, freshman in chemical engineering)............................................... Cat
Luke Helmig (Lima, freshman in Exploration)............................................................... Chicken
Alec Keller (Kenton, senior in Theatre).................................................................. Dog, Farmer
Hannah Brinkman (Fort Jennings, freshman in Dental Hygiene).................................... Turkey
Aimee Kloeppel (Lima, sophomore in Zoology)....................................... Narrator, Old Woman
Kathlyn Richards (Quincy, freshman in Zoology)................................................... Queen Duck
Lauryn Williams (Pickerington, sophomore in Theatre).................................. Wild Duck, Swan
Lyric Williams (Pickerington, sophomore in Theatre)...................................... Wild Duck, Swan