All grown up, Fairy Tale Theatre veteran now in charge|[06/25/08]

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 25, 2008

For Vicksburg resident Julia Blake, a person’s never too old to believe in fairy tales.

Blake, 24, grew up participating in the Vicksburg Theatre Guild’s Fairy Tale Theatre, an annual summer program for youths 7-18 that teaches all facets of theater. Now Blake has returned to the program she says she has always loved.

“I started when I was young,” said Blake, “and continued all the way until I was too old to continue participating. I would say it was about 10 years.”

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Blake is the supervising adult for “Sarah and the Magical Mix-Up,” a play written by Linda Mitchell, an associate professor at Mississippi State University. It is one of four plays Fairy Tale Theatre is offering this year. She is the first former Fairy Tale participant to serve as supervising adult.

“I feel like I’ve gone full-circle, from being on-stage to directing,” Blake said. “Directing children is delightful because they bring so much personality to their characters.”

Mike Calnan of the Vicksburg Theatre Guild said he could not be happier that Blake has returned.

“She’s someone I first saw in Fairy Tale Theatre in 2000 as a student director,” he said. “She had also adapted the script that year. Now she’s back. She’s an extraordinarily talented young woman.”

This year marks the 23rd season of Fairy Tale Theatre, and 67 participants will take the stage for four days of performances that begin Thursday. In addition to acting, the participants help direct, make costumes, help with set and prop construction and work behind the scenes.

Fairy Tale Theatre begins with auditions in April. Participants are cast in different roles, and orientation is held in May, followed by practice during June. Plays are performed for an audience the final week of June.

“Sarah and the Magical Mix-up” is apprentice-directed by Megan Melton, 16, the daughter of Eddie and Amy Melton.

If you goFairy Tale Theatre performances will run Thursday-Sunday at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Ave. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Call 601-636-0471 or visitwww.e-vtg.com.The shows:Thursday – 10 a.m., “Another Night of Dancing”; 7 p.m., “Emma Lou and the Big Ragout” and “The Glass Slipper”Friday – 10 a.m., “Sarah and the Magical Mix-up”; 7 p.m., “The Glass Slipper” and “Another Night of Dancing”Saturday – 2 p.m., “The Glass Slipper” and “Emma Lou and the Big Ragout”; 7 p.m., “Another Night of Dancing” and “Sarah and the Magical Mix-up”Sunday – 2 p.m., “Sarah and the Magical Mix-up” and “Emma Lou and the Big Ragout””Another Night of Dancing” was co-written by Vicksburg residents Marie Cunningham and Allie Johnson, 18, the daughter of David and Jodie Johnson. Allie is also student director of the play. The remaining productions are “Emma Lou and the Big Ragout,” apprentice-directed by Ryan Van Den Akker, 15, the son of Richard and Sue Van Den Akker; and “The Glass Slipper,” directed by Nikki Jobe, 17, the daughter of Terry and Catherine Jobe.

“I hope to have the opportunity to direct again next year,” Blake said.

Blake is the daughter of Pete and Sarah Dionne. She is the organist at Holy Cross Anglican Church and teaches piano. In addition to Fairy Tale Theatre, Blake participates in Vicksburg Theatre Guild’s “Gold in the Hills,” in its 73rd season. It holds a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest-running melodrama.