Photo Flash: Imagination Stage�'s MOUSE ON THE MOVE

Imagination Stage continues its work in developing new theater for very young audiences (ages one to five) with its original production Mouse on the Move. Co-developed and directed by Artistic Director Janet Stanford and Associate Artistic Director Kathryn Chase Bryer, this world premiere builds on their successful 2009 collaboration, Wake Up, Brother Bear!

Mouse on the Move runs in Imagination Stage’s Christopher and Dana Reeve Studio Theatre January 4 to February 5, 2012. This intimate experience with no more than 50 children in the theater is recommended for ages one to five. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660.

In the play, Nellie and Amelia are two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Like many of Imagination Stage’s shows for this age group, the performance will be a multi-sensory experience. Children will be given a small suitcase of props with which they help the actors tell the story.

Of the project, Kathryn Chase Bryer says, “Janet and I chose the theme of transportation because we know that cars, trucks, boats, trains, and airplanes are fascinating to children, and transportation is a great curriculum tie-in for the nursery schools. In addition, we will be exploring the nature of the shy child in this story: Nellie, who is very bold, helps her friend Amelia overcome shyness and fear in order to achieve her dreams. I am really looking forward to going back into rehearsal in December! We spent a week last May developing the concept for the story and the basic outline of the action. Now we will really explore the details of this piece with actors.”

The two mice are played by Julia Krebs Patterson and Jasmin Danielle Johnson, and both actors have been integral to the play’s development process. Julia is a mentor/teacher for Imagination Stage’s early childhood program and she originated the role of Sister Bear for the theater’s popular early childhood piece, Wake Up, Brother Bear! She has a BA in acting from Point Park University (PA) and was a teacher/storyteller in Louisville, KY, prior to joining the Imagination Stage team in 2007. Jasmin was last seen at Imagination Stage in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (2009-2010 season). She has a BA in Theatre from Michigan State University. Recent credits include the Angel Gabriel in The Blake Nativity (Theatre Alliance) and Natalie Rubin in Adam’s Morgan: The Movie (Paul DeVeaux Productions).

The design team for the production includes Set Designer Milagros Ponce de Leon, Costume Designer Deb Sivigny, Lighting Designer Zac Gilbert, and Composer Timothy Gillot.

The 2011-12 season of theatre for the very young continues with Aquarium (February 28 – April 8) and Wake Up, Brother Bear! (July 7 – 29). This season runs alongside the Lerner series that includes Dr. Dolittle; P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical; Rapunzel; and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.

THE FACTS:
Mouse on the Move
An Imagination Stage production for ages 1 – 5
Developed and directed by Janet Stanford and Kathryn Chase Bryer
This production is generously supported by Lauren and Brian Lang

Show Schedule:
Public performances on Tuesdays – Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Sunday performances at 10:30 a.m.
ASL interpreted performance on January 21 at 11:45 a.m.
Tickets: $10

Location: 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is FREE on weekends
Metro: Red Line / Bethesda Station
For Information: 301-280-1660 or www.imaginationstage.org

Photo Credit: Blake Echols / Imagination Stage