Inviting visitors to dance to merry tunes with them, 32 children from throughout the county came together as the Magic Beanstalk Players and hosted their gala Renaissance Faire on July 13 at Dame Shirley Plaza in Quincy. The theater arts event was part of the local dramaworks acting program for first- through eighth-graders. “Queen” Danielle Wagner Plocki, far left, manages the West End Theatre and is a director for the program. She describes the student thespians as “amazing!” Photo by Roni Java
Celebrating their final project of summer drama camp at the faire, student actors Isis McGill, left, and Serafina Lozano are captivated by the magic tricks of the Great Ryanaldi (Ryan C. Nielsen). Throughout the day, the students acted out a knighting ceremony, jousting tournament, Shakespeare poetry and Commedia Dell’arte comedy skits. They also performed a Renaissance-style dance and sang a madrigal for audiences. Photo by Roni Java
Confidence in theater arts depends upon being able to play feelings and emotions such as merriment and mirth, something the dramaworks instructors enjoy teaching their students. Danielle Wagner Plocki, left, Tina Thorman, Lynnette Choate and Saraha Michelle Black help their students discover that sense of play at the Magic Beanstalk Players Summer Camp. Photo by Roni Java
Magic Beanstalk Players Kylie Anderson and Alex Vohn Marincas-Bucy are among the many happy actors creating a Renaissance festival for the community. Photo by Roni Java
Serenity Pierson plays the part of a shy Indian maiden for the interactive theatre event. This kind of dramatic art breaks the “fourth wall” that separates actors from spectators, allowing the audience to become completely immersed and participate in the story. Photo by Roni Java
Aria Lowery plays the part of a tiny courtier with her bright garland and rustling skirts. Photo by Roni Java
Aaron Irwin draws a prize-winning ticket at the Renaissance Faire that filled Dame Shirley Plaza in downtown Quincy. Kings, queens, jesters, jousters, knights and maidens all in full period costuming entertained attendees. The students also offered crafts and activities as a fundraiser for their program. Photo by Roni Java
Carrying out their courtly duties with the 32 students who put on the Renaissance Faire by dramaworks’ Magic Beanstalk Players are, from left, Program directors Saraha Michelle Black and Danielle Wagner Plocki. Little Aria Lowery pays her respects to the queen and collects a small prize. Photo by Roni Java
With exuberance and fun, Rylee Newman, left, Magali Nielson and Simone Smith play three “Jeering Jesters” and make the faire crowd laugh. Photo by Tina Thorman
The Commedia Dell’arte Troupe players Mason Thorman, left, Bobby Barnes, Evelyn Thielman, Emily Choate, Tatum Hughes and Leo Kusener entertain faire-goers with a skit. Commedia Dell’arte is a form of street theater that was popular during the Italian Renaissance and is credited as the birth of improv and slapstick comedy. Photo by Tina Thorman