Anna Taylor
Assistant Features Editor
The annual children’s show, presented by the theater department, premieres 7:30 p.m. Monday in Lovett Auditorium.
This year, they are performing “Robin Hood” by Tim Kelly.
Like the traditional story of Robin Hood, the outlaw and his followers defend the people of England from the evil Prince John. It’s up to Robin to save the kingdom from Lady Merle and rescue his love interest, Maid Marian.
Rachel Sweeney, senior from Evansville, Ind., plays Maid Marian.
“She’s not a damsel in distress,” Sweeney said. “I enjoy it because she is a strong female character rather than just being a weak one that Robin Hood has to rescue the whole time. She actually helps rescue Robin at the end of the show which is really cool.”
Performing for children can be a different task than performing for peers. With children, there is more imagination and reaction, Sweeney said.
“I personally enjoy children’s theater sometimes more so than adult theater,” she said. “Sometimes there is so much more to play off of in children’s theater and we are very lucky that we get to go out and visit the kids afterward because they just adore you.”
During the children’s show, the actors interact with the audience and get to hear and see reactions to what is happening in the story.
Traditionally, the children’s show is presented in the spring but this year; the department is performing the show earlier.
“Last year, unfortunately, we had to cancel the children’s show because of the snow,” Sweeney said. “We’re doing it in the fall now so that we won’t have inclement weather to have to work around.”
“Robin Hood” is showing 7:30 p.m. Monday, 9:30 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, and 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday. All shows will be performed in Lovett Auditorium. Tickets cost $2.50 for elementary school children, $3 general admission and admission is free for Murray State students with a Racercard.
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