Gary Moskowitz
A group of nine mothers of Glendale students made a decision in
2000 to take their collective backgrounds in theater and create their
own company.
The Stepping Stone Players, now a nonprofit organization with two
productions under its belt -- "The Wizard of Oz" and "Peter Pan" --
will take its cast of 49 actors, 20 crew members and four
interpreters and begin performances of "Bye Bye Birdie" tonight.
The theater group has grown in two years. A $6,000 budget in 2000
has grown to more than $30,000 for this week's performances, said Lee
Briggs, one of the founders of the group. Funding comes from Glendale
Kiwanis, the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission and the Glendale
Community Foundation, Briggs said.
"This ended up being a big meeting ground for families, and it has
always been very unifying," Briggs said. "I would not have seen my
family for the last six weeks if they weren't all in the show."
More than 120 children and adults auditioned for "Bye Bye Birdie,"
which will feature actors from Glendale, Tujunga, Monrovia and
Sunland.
Founding board member Francis Rothenberg defined the group as a
true definition of community and helps children interested in getting
real acting experience.
"My daughter has made friends she never would have met otherwise,"
Rothenberg said. "And we have had performers go on to do professional
jobs like commercials."
Performances will include music provided by members of the Hoover
High School band and orchestra conducted by Hoover High music
instructor Craig Kupka.
Performing with The Stepping Stone Players is what theater is all
about for 25-year-old Mike Abramson, who portrays Albert in the play.
"Their main mission is to foster children and give them a real
experience they will remember. If I can help them do that, then I'm
all for it," Abramson said.
Performances of "Bye Bye Birdie" will go until Sept. 15.
