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CAST theater group has raised the curtain, now steps forward

Haley Shore (left) stands with Sally Kilburn and Eli Underwood at the stage at Graham Middle School on Thursday, Nov. 5. Killburn is the founder of the CAST Theatre Company, which had its first show this summer. Staff photo by Marshall Gorby

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer 11:00 PM Saturday, November 7, 2009

Outside of school, students like Haley Shore and Eli Underwood didn’t have too many opportunities to improve their acting skills.

“We had to drive to Springfield or Dayton to find somewhere outside school,” said Eli, an eighth-grader at Graham Middle School.

Sandy Kilburn is hoping to give both students and community members plenty of chances to experience theater firsthand. The Community Adult and Student Theatre, or CAST, opened with its first performance over the summer.

Kilburn, who has been involved in theater in one form or another since she was 3, said she moved to the area a few years ago and quickly noticed there were few outlets for prospective thespians. She said she quickly began making contacts, and, with help from several community members, the theater opened with its initial production of “The Sound of Music” in July.

“Since I was a little girl I wanted my own theater company,” Kilburn said.

Kilburn said the organization is making progress and now has a nine-member board that will hold its first meeting next week. She is also actively looking to find ways to raise members and sponsors for the organization.

Kilburn said she wants CAST to be a little different from other theater companies, particularly for its work with area students. She said many theater companies try to avoid working with children, but that’s not the case here.

“I just want the kids to be able to be a part of a creative experience like that,” Kilburn said.

Those that are involved are often very talented too, she said. Haley, a seventh-grader at Graham Middle School recently traveled to New York City, where she auditioned for a role in a performance of “Annie on Tour.” With about 4,000 other competitors, Shore was among the top 50, although she did not win a part in the end.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.

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