Page 39 - The Peorian Vol 3 Issue 1 Winter

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thePeorian.com The Future
It is often, however, that the
older youth in shows become
the examples, the leaders, the
on-field coaches so to speak, said
directors who are involved with
youth theatre in the area. Without
that, it becomes difficult because
“the director has to be a teacher,
also, along with the responsibil-
ity of making sure nothing bad
happens to the children. So yes,
we rely on the older kids,” said
Bryan Blanks, who has directed
many youth theatre shows the
past five years as well as adult
shows.
Often, his adult shows will
be musicals involving children
because he has learned how to
direct children. For example,
he is now directing “Oliver” at
Peoria Players, which runs Feb.
7 through 16 and involves more
than 30 kids.
Blanks works in education and
teaches theatre, including a youth
theatre program he started at
St. Vincent DePaul. “Obviously
I want a good product but the
teaching is the most important
part. You know, some people
think we are oversaturated with
children’s theatre around here
but as long as it is helping them
get a quality education it should
be allowed to grow,” Blanks said.
Blanks, who is from Kewanee,
was 17 when he did his first show
in Peoria. It was a Community
Children’s Theatre (Peoria Park
District) production of “West Side
Story” in 2002. Since then he has
performed throughout the Peoria
area and has directed three CCT
shows and is scheduled to direct
another, “Ragtime” student edi-
tion, next summer.
“It is important for me to give
back. This is one way I can do it,”
he said.
That is also the sentiment of
Zachary Binder, the theatre direc-
tor for Limestone High School
who has directed community
youth theater productions, as
well. He recently directed “Tar-
zan The Musical” at YouthLight
Theatre in East Peoria.
A native of Brimfield, Binder
said he sees teaching and direct-
ing youth theatre “as an oppor-
tunity to make a difference and
impact so many lives. Working
with kids is special. As you work
through a show with them you
keep in mind it helps to shape
who they will become. It is very
rewarding.”
Binder, 34, has four children
and expects they will eventually
perform. But he wants to make
sure they know it is important
they learn things that will some-
day make a difference. “That is
very important to me as a parent
and as a teacher… as a human be-
ing. That’s how I was raised,” he
said. Continued on page 40
Some of the children who participated in the annual Corn Stock for Kids Summer Camp this year wait their turns to go
on stage in Corn Stock Theatre’s tent in Upper Bradley Park.