Brighton Women Set Stage for Young Performers to Shine
By Corey Christiansen, Denver Metro Area News Media Specialist
Performing a musical on a theatre stage is an amazing experience. It involves remembering an exhausting amount of lines and lyrics, executing precise movements in perfect harmony with all of the cast and of course, remembering to have fun while doing it so that the live audience is thoroughly entertained.
It’s not easy.
But, for those who love the performing arts, there’s no better experience than seeing the lights come on and watching people enjoy your hard work.
In Brighton, four phenomenal women use their collective artistic talents to ensure that the next generation of actors get to display their artistry for their community. Together, Leslie Zirker, Cindy Gunderson, Brenna Fillerup and Elizabeth Bohannan run Platte Valley Youth Theatre (PVYT). Leslie and Cindy are also members of the Brighton Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while Brenna and Elizabeth are in the Denver North Stake.
Right now, they’re in crunch time with performances of The Aristocats Kids and Into the Woods JR. coming up in March. Zirker said it’s important to make PVYT a space that nurtures children’s creativity. “I love creating an atmosphere where God’s children can be creative, safe and develop their talents while gaining confidence in who they are,” she said.
“There is something truly amazing about working in children’s theater,” said Fillerup. “The scripture that teaches us to become as little children becomes more meaningful to me as I watch children collaborate and grow in confidence as they develop their talents, show empathy, love so freely and humbly accept feedback while they let their light shine on stage,” she said.
PVYT is part of Platte Valley Theatre Arts (PVTA) which grew out of an endeavor by Brighton community members to bring the performing arts to Brighton. PVTA has been producing shows since 2003 and is “devoted to presenting stories that highlight our common humanity to entertain and challenge your mind and spirit,” said Zirker.
Since its inception, PVTA has presented over 60 theatre productions including plays, musicals, children’s theatre, reader’s theatre workshops, concerts and cabarets. Additionally, PVTA is a national, regional and local award-winning community theatre.
Since 2010, PVTA has made its artistic home at the Brighton Armory Performing Arts Center and has engaged with young performers in its children’s theatre programs. It has presented socially and historically relevant theatre (Of Mice and Men, The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill a Mockingbird, Best of Enemies) in addition to its lighthearted offerings (Disaster! The Musical).
PVTA is the only non-profit community theatre in Brighton and the resident (and only) theatre company of The Armory PAC.
As she gears up for an exciting run of performances next month, Gunderson likes to focus on how Platte Valley Youth Theatre helps children learn about the world around them through the stories they perform. “Telling stories through theatre allows us to forget our differences and unite in building something beautiful together. It’s been a joy to foster this kind of cooperation and creativity in these amazing kids and in our community,” she said.
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