Warren children land leading roles

  • Published
  • By Gina Denney
  • Civilian
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Cheyenne Little Theatre Players is a Cheyenne community theatre that performs at the Historic Atlas Theatre and Mary Godfrey Playhouse. From Sept. 25 to Oct. 11, this theater group is performing "Annie," the Tony Award winning play based on the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie". 

Three Warren children: Katie Denney, daughter of Lt. Col. Jason Denney, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron commander; Rebecca Port, daughter of Lt. Col. Michael Port, 90th Operations Support Squadron commander and Maddi Grimm, daughter of Maj. Terrence Grimm, Twentieth Air Force, are starring in the production. Katie and Rebecca are double-cast as Annie, and Maddi will be playing Molly, the youngest orphan in the play.

According to Rebecca, a Freedom Elementary student and extraordinary musician who currently plays flute, viola and piano, "Theatre is a great way to meet new people and it's really fun, too." 

Katie, a home-schooler and Kempo Karate brown-belt, agrees and adds, "The costumes, choreography and working with the dogs are my favorite parts of Annie." 

Maddi, a Bain Elementary student who loves to read and sing and do crafts, says her favorite part of the production is the lively "Hard Knock Life" scene where she plays a major part. 

Katie, Rebecca and Maddi all have family actively involved in the production as well. Learning lines and lyrics and practicing choreography together has been a family affair in all these households. 

All three girls said their participation in the production has been a great experience and they encourage other Warren children to become involved in Cheyenne Little Theatre Players. They said there's no reason to think one must have theatre experience to get involved. 

Although she was in both summer sessions of the CLTP Theatre Academy, this is Maddi's first play. Katie got involved after being inspired and encouraged by Gayle Dawn Hill, a 15th Munitions spouse. Katie performed as "Alice" in CLTP's "Alice in Wonderland" last spring. Rebecca has been in such productions as "Oliver" and "Beans, the Musical." Both Katie and Rebecca acted in on-base productions by the Missoula Children's Theatre at the Youth Center and participated in the Cheyenne Theatre Academy. 

Later this winter, the CLTP will present "School House Rock Live! Jr." based upon the Emmy award-winning educational cartoon series where there will be an opportunity for many children to participate. There will be several other roles for children in other productions this season, with the majority of roles for teens and adults. Be sure to watch for auditions. 

For information about tickets, upcoming auditions, or the Cheyenne Theatre Academy, visit CLTP's website at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org or call 638-6543.