Folger McKinsey Performs Willy Wonka Jr.

By Chris Myers, Folger parent

The second annual grass-roots production of "Willy Wonka, Jr." sponsored by the Folger McKinsey Drama Club was performed earlier this month in Zimmerman Hall at

Directed by Anne Arundel Community College  students and produced by parent volunteers, the fourth and fifth graders rehearsed at Woods starting back in January. Folger is currently under construction and housed at Chesapeake Bay Middle School.

The parent  volunteers/project managers who coordinated the production are  Sara Hall, Amy Vance and Karen Williams who hired the directors, arranged  for use of Woods Church facilities, handled the purchase and licensing of all  materials and coordinated the recruitment of performers.

 Directed by Anastasia Herne, a theater education major at AACC,  now has "Willy Wonka, Jr."  as her 35th production.  Herne had previously directed "Peter Pan" while a senior at Northern High School.  She recently served as stage  manager for "Dido and Aeneas" with Opera at AACC.

 Emily Sergo, music director and choreographer Anne Arundel Community College, participates in musical theatre productions all over Maryland, including the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, Winters Lane Productions, and in the past, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, where she was recently the choreographer’sassistant for" Once Upon a Mattress."

Key roles out of the cast of 47 talented actors include: 

            Willy Wonka – Cedar Williams

            Charlie Buckett – Alex Chaisson (Sat & Sun performances)

             Ford Smith (Thurs – dress rehearsal & Fri performances)

            Augustus Gloop – Matt Hall

            Veruca Salt – Abby Burns

            Violet Beauregard – Delaney Vance

            Mike Teevee – Tyler Vernon

 All shows were completely sold out (the first day of ticket sales!)

 Set design and construction was by  Maria Viteri and Patrick Bobbitt                      Parent volunteers, who then had a committee  of additional parents

The fifth-grader who portrayed  Oompa Loompa, Elizabeth Kiely, designed and    drew the Wonka Factory set (backdrops).

 The forty plus parents who volunteered regularly to chaperon, help with    

direction, sound, stage, sets, costumes, etc. proved it  was a team effort and

wonderful example of community!

 Many thanks to Woods Church for their generous access to their facilities. 

 This show would not have been possible had the church not provided a 

  home away from home for the Folger Drama Club!

 Last year, Folger created a drama club and brought "Annie, Jr." to the stage creating a new tradition at the school.  Many students auditioned for the few coveted spots in the drama club and there is already talk among younger students that they are eager for  their turn to participate.

 Submitted to Patch by Folger Parent Chris Myers