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The Silver Lake Children's Theatre Group (SCTG) - an incorporated 501(c) 3 organization - provides dramatic training and major productions for young people 7–18 years old.
Their self-described mission is to harness the power of the theater to develop critical thinking and self-confidence, as well as to engage the imagination. Their plays and programs are designed to encourage and nurture young talent while broadening their awareness of culture, politics, aesthetics and the human condition. The role of parents and the community is a vital element of the SCTG philosophy and program.
Described as "smart theater for children" by the Los Angeles Times, the SCTG continues to present productions which push the boundaries of traditional children's theater in terms of complex ideas, themes, characters and staging. Nearly all plays are original productions co-written by the students through its Writing Mentorship Program.
HISTORY
The Silver Lake Children's Theatre Group is the descendant of a theater company based at the Hollywood-Los Feliz Jewish Community Center (HLFJCC) in Silver Lake, California. The original company began in the mid-90's and produced one spring play a year, usually a well-known Broadway musical. Productions included Guys And Dolls, Fiddler On The Roof and The Music Man. Loanne Hamrin and Trish Boyer helmed the group in the late 90's, directly preceding the birth of the SCTG. Hamrin, a distinguished professional actress, brought her love of musicals and theatrical experience to her direction of the plays. Her good friend, Silver Lake architect Boyer, served as Assistant Director and together they choreographed and produced the plays. In the spring of 2000, their final production, Show Crazy was an original vehicle about "a-small-theater-company-who-could", which allowed Hamrin and Boyer to feature some of their favorite Broadway songs. Mark McCracken and Broderick Miller a local actor/comedian and a screenwriter respectively, co-authored the play.
Hamrin announced her retirement from the theatre group following Show Crazy and with no one to direct the plays, the program was in danger of shutting down. Miller, a member of the HLFJCC board, volunteered to helm the theatre group for no fee because his six-year-old daughter, Izzy, had such a great experience performing in Show Crazy.
The timing was serendipitous. Just a few weeks earlier, Miller had taken his young daughters to a performance of Babes In Toyland at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California and he was appalled at how pandering the show was to its young audience. The thought crossed his mind, “if I ever ran a children’s theatre group, we would do smart shows.” So when the children’s theatre opportunity presented itself a few weeks later, he felt the call.
Although Miller was the godson of Academy Award-winning actor Broderick Crawford, he found a mentor and second father in British stage and film director Lindsay Anderson. As a result, Miller was schooled in Anderson’s primary influences, Anton Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, Jean Vigo, Humphrey Jennings and U.S. filmmaker John Ford. “Sentiment without sentimentality” was Anderson’s creative mantra which Miller brought to the SCTG along with his own love for the works of John Irving, David Mamet, Tennessee Williams, Tom Stoppard and Edward Albee. Miller’s plays were unusual for a children’s theatre company because they featured sophisticated adult-like dialogue while tackling humanist and provocative themes.
Miller wrote and directed the first play under his stewardship, a comedy-musical titled Stay Awake! in the spring of 2001. The whimsical story centered on Paula, a 12-year-old girl too busy watching TV and playing video games to read books. Events sweep her into a world where each land is represented by a different classic book. Tracy wanders through 14 book “lands” (Little Women, Moby Dick, Harry Potter, The Grapes of Wrath, Dracula, Eloise, etc.), encountering the colorful characters from each story. While searching for a way home, she also discovers the joys of literature. Each scene also featured a contemporary song which commented on the action. These ranged from Heidi singing “River Deep, Mountain High” to Mary Poppins losing in love and singing “Nothing Compares 2U.”
The show was popular and the success emboldened Miller and his creative partners Brian Davis, Sandi Silbert and Mark Feldman, to create the Silver Lake Children’s Theatre Group as an official 501(c) 3 non-profit theatre company. Within two years the SCTG expanded to two productions a year (fall and spring) and continue to this day offering complex and challenging productions for kids. The SCTG believes that children respond to smart material and sees its productions as a means for its young actors and writers to explore the human condition while building community.
THEATER PRODUCTIONS
Each year the SCTG presents spring and fall productions generated from original material created within the company. The shows widely vary in their genres and staging, ranging from dramas and comedies to musicals and cabaret. Themes are equally divergent and typically explore how a teenager relates to the world and how the world relates to them. “The quintessential SCTG play,” says Miller, “is a search for wisdom with bittersweet results.” In addition to exploring provocative themes, the SCTG pursues unique methods of staging. In their comedy Dumb White Crackers, for example, the cast was required to learn every role in the show. Just before the show went on, the audience randomly selected which actors would play which roles. Not only was this a powerful exercise in trust and commitment, but the experience tightly bonded the cast. Similar experimental shows include Havana (“living theatre” - where the audience follows the actors from room to room throughout the play.); Love and Hate (the play was first presented as a comedy; then at intermission the audience took seats on stage while the cast performed exactly the same play as a comedy in the seats); Teatro Della Morte (a cabaret-like show performed in a circus tent inspired by the professional Seattle-based troupe Teatro Zinzanni – whose performers actually conducted a workshop with SCTG students); and several others.
All plays written and directed by Broderick Miller except where indicated.
2001 Stay Awake!
2001 O Lucky Girl!
2002 Cheyenne (original play written by Liz Tucillo, adapted for children's theatre by Broderick Miller)
2003 The Puzzle People
2003 Spamelot (written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones & Michael Palin; adapted by Broderick Miller)
2004 Attack of the Killer Kids
2005 The Community Producers
2005 Buy America (written by Phoebe Minette & Broderick Miller)
2005 The Rocke (written by Ivy Hammond and Broderick Miller)
2005 The Window
2006 Killing Time at the Rothrottens (written and directed by Mark McCracken)
2006 Free Will (written by Phoebe Minette & Broderick Miller)
2006 Thunderboard (written by Robert Goldberg & Broderick Miller/directed by Montana Mills)
2006 Love And Hate (written by Lindsey Horowitz & Broderick Miller)
2007 Evil Schmeevil (written and directed by Mark McCracken)
2007 Havana (written by Robert Goldberg, Lindsey Horowitz, Phoebe Minette, Tess Whittlesey & Broderick Miller)
2007 Turbulence (written by Olivia Russin & Broderick Miller/directed by Ellie Bensinger)
2007 Dumb White Crackers
2008 Teatro Della Morte (written by Ellie Bensinger & Broderick Miller)
2008 Hellth Care (written by Riley Smith & Broderick Miller/directed by Olivia Russin)
2008 The Color and the Noise
2009 The Rogues
2009 Significant Others (written and directed by Mark McCracken)
2009 Jackpot (written by Josie Glore & Broderick Miller / directed by Libe Barer & Riley Smith)
2009 My Man Godfrey (written by Morrie Ryskind & Eric Hatch; adaptation by Broderick Miller)
2010 Jail Birds (written by Sofia Shield & Broderick Miller)
2010 The Nature Of My Game (written by Leo Murphy & Broderick Miller)
2010 Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (written by Edward Albee)
2011 Frank & Stine (written by Madeleine Miller & Broderick Miller)
2011 Absolutely Fabulous (written by Jennifer Saunders & Dawn French; adaptation by Broderick Miller)
2011 General Ed (written by Lia Avraham & Broderick Miller)
2011 Once Again in Eden (written by Nora Mathison & Broderick Miller)
2012 Tomorrow… (written by Madeline Stefani & Broderick Miller)
2012 Arrival (written by Lola Gutierrez, Niall Murphy & Broderick Miller / directed by Rebecca Schumacher)
2012 Cancelled (written by Fiona Grey & Broderick Miller)
2012 Delayed (written by Beja Wolf & Broderick Miller)
2012 Departure (written by Yaari Sanderson & Broderick Miller)
2013 Havana (written by Robert Goldberg, Lindsey Horowitz, Phoebe Minette, Tess Whittlesey & Broderick Miller)
2013 Aloha, Kiana (written by Nicki Klar & Broderick Miller)
2013 Genevieve (written by Madeleine Miller & Broderick Miller)
2013 I Do…But I Really Don’t (written by Matthew Hammond, William Hammond & Broderick Miller)
2013 The Last 30 Seconds
2014 Deadwood (written by Olivia Harber, Molly Vendig & Broderick Miller)
2014 Red Scare
2014 The Mistake On The Lake (written by Darla Lewis & Broderick Miller/Directed by Beja Wolf)
2014 Ciao, Utah (written by LouLou Brazill Baltz & Broderick Miller)
2015 O Lucky Man! (written by Madeleine Miller & Broderick Miller)
DIRECTING MENTORSHIP
The SCTG directing mentorship allows students to creatively supervise a play entirely on their own. This is the most challenging task in the program, requiring a strong creative vision, a command of the material, self-discipline, relentless energy, and exceptional character.
SCTG DIRECTORS
Montana Mills – Thunderboard, Fall 2006
Ellie Bensinger – Turbulence, Fall 2007
Olivia Russin – Hellth Care, Fall 2008
Libe Barer/Riley Smith – Jackpot, Fall 2009
Rebecca Schumacher – Arrival, Fall 2012
Beja Wolf – Ciao, Utah, Fall 2014
EL PHOEBAX AWARD
Each show the SCTG honors an actor(s) for outstanding achievement in character. This is not an acting or popularity award. The award was instituted in 2001 as the “PhoeBax” award, named after its two founding winners - Phoebe Minette and Baxley Andresen – who defined the exemplary kind of character the SCTG sought to encourage and nurture. In 2012, the PhoeBax Award was renamed the “El PhoeBax” award to recognize the inspiring talent and contributions of student actress Ellie Bensinger. The winner is given an individual trophy as well as having their name engraved on a perpetual trophy.
El PhoeBax Award Winners:
2001 Spring Stay Awake! – Phoebe Minette
2002 Spring O Lucky Girl! – Baxley Andresen
2002 Fall Cheyenne – Elizabeth Brightly, Robert Goldberg, Tzara Sidley
2003 Spring The Puzzle People – Kylie Thompson
2003 Fall Spamelot – Nastassia Godoy, Lindsey Horowitz, Montana Mills
2004 Spring Attack of the Killer Kids - Justine Rappaport, Ben Russin
2004 Fall The Community Producers - Ellie Bensinger, Jamus Hain
2005 Spring Buy America – Madison Bradfield-Davis, Elizabeth Inkelis, Justine Minette
2005 Fall The Window – Hannah Davis, Ivy Hammond The Rocke – Riley Smith, Sofi Shield, Tess Whittlesey
2006 Spring Killing Time at the Rothrottens – Yaari Sanderson Free Will – Hanna Feldman, Rachel Forman, Mollie Goldberg, Izzy Miller
2006 Fall Love & Hate – Molly McCracken, Olivia Russin Thunderboard – Skye LaFontaine
2007 Spring Evil Schmeevil – Chloe Casey 2007 Spring Havana – Amanda Feldman, Josie Glore, Sara Rajo-Miller
2007 Fall Turbulence – Rebecca Schumacher, Emily Walworth
2007 Fall Dumb White Crackers - Joshua Jacobson, Liisi LaFontaine, Anna Rajo-Miller
2008 Spring Teatro Della Morte – Grace Ardolino, Libe Barer, Gala Mendoza
2008 Fall Hellth Care - Beja Wolf
2008 Fall The Color and the Noise – Lia Avraham
2009 Spring Insignificant Others – Samara Kannike
2009 Spring The Rogues – Lola Gutierrez, Hannah Jenney, Leo Murphy
2009 Fall Jackpot – Niall Murphy
2009 Fall My Man Godfrey – Leah Brady, Noah Brown, Max Messex
2010 Spring Jail Birds – Madeleine Miller, Max Wilbur
2010 Fall The Nature of My Game – Shannel Rodriguez, Madeline Stefani Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – Isabelle Miller, Leo Murphy
2011 Spring Frank & Stine – Greta Grisez, Emmett Mathison
2011 Fall Absolutely Fabulous – Laura Milano General Ed – Addie Smith Once Again in Eden – Nora Mathison
2012 Spring Tomorrow… - Lia Avraham, Jessie Davis, Max Wilbur, Beja Wolf
2012 Fall Arrival / Delayed – Rebecca Schumacher Arrival / Departure – Lola Gutierrez Cancelled / Departure – Fiona Grey Departure / Delayed – Yaari Sanderson
2013 Spring Havana – Checka Brighty, Diego Chiat, Luna Santaolalla, Walker Smith
2013 Fall Aloha, Kiana / Genevieve / I Do…But I Really Don’t – Jeilani Rhone-Collins Aloha, Kiana / Genevieve – Nicki Klar
2014 Spring Deadwood – William Hammond, Darla Lewis
IMMACULATE HEART GIRLS AWARD
In the fall of 2004, five newcomers from Immaculate Heart High School – Lauren Dellara, Josie Glore, Mackenzie Morrison, Sara Rajo-Miller and Kelly Rappleye infused The Community Producers with extraordinary positive energy. Their impact on the SCTG was so exhilarating, it was recognized with this award which honors the “Most Inspiring Newcomer.” This is not an automatic award and is only handed out in exceptional instances.
Immaculate Heart Girls Award Winners:
2004 Fall The Community Producers – Lauren Dellara, Josie Glore, Mackenzie Morrison, Sara Rajo-Miller, Kelly Rappleye
2005 Spring Buy America – Riley Smith
2005 Fall The Rocke – Wil Crary
2007 Spring Turbulence – Bella Gutierrez, Sarah de la Torre
2008 Spring Teatro Della Morte – Michael Mayo, Sean Murphy, Max Wilbur, Beja Wolf
2008 Fall Hellth Care - Breanne Davis, Laura Milano
2009 Spring The Rogues - Noah Brown
2009 Fall Jackpot - Lucas Bohlinger
2010 Spring Jail Birds - Mariana Mosca, Madeline Stefani
2011 Spring Frank & Stine - Lili Cairl, Nicki Klar, Addie Smith
2012 Fall Tomorrow... - William Hammond, Jeilani Rhone-Collins
2013 Spring - Havana - Salome Albright, Darla Lewis, Walker Smith
2013 Fall The Last 30 Seconds - Rainey Chevako
2014 Spring Deadwood - Sterling Jackson, Julius Kopald
RITUALS, QUOTES & CURSES
MICHAEL TRAVIS
There has been a Michael Travis in nearly every play since The Puzzle People. Michael Travis is the name of the main character in the Lindsay Anderson film, O Lucky Man! and is Broderick Miller’s pseudonym when writing screenplays of dubious quality.
“WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO SING, SALUTE YOU”
The entire cast ritualistically addresses the band before each performance with this respectful salutation. This began with The Community Producers.
“YOU OWE ME A DOLLAR!”
When the director was new to the theatre group, and fearful of forgetting names, he used to give kids a quarter whenever he would confuse or blank on their names. Nowadays, he gives them a dollar (adjusted for inflation).
“BLESS YOU…TZARA.”
Every time someone sneezes, it is ritualistic to respond “Bless you…Tzara.” This came out of rehearsal for The Window in which Tzara Sidley was cast as a docent conducting a tour of an art gallery. During a rehearsal, someone sneezed and Tzara was given the direction to say “bless you” in case that ever happened live on stage – and other spontaneous niceties – because it would be perfectly natural for her character to do so. From then on, whenever someone in rehearsal sneezed, Broderick would say “Bless you,” and then wheel around and say “Tzara?” expecting her to say “Bless you.” She was oblivious 99% of the time and it became a standing joke.
THE GOLD COINS
Frank Miller (Broderick Miller's father) was well known for his generosity. He would put a handful of gold dollar coins in his pocket every morning and give them to random people throughout the day. This was his way of spreading cheer and goodwill – and trying to make the world just that much better of a place. Frank Miller died on May 13, 2004, the day of dress rehearsal for Attack of the Killer Kids. The following day, Broderick gave a gold dollar coin to each young actor to honor his father's memory . Ever since, the gold coins are passed to each actor before the final performance of that year’s spring play.
THE SCTG SLAP
Someone usually gets slapped in our plays. It's unclear as to how the tradition started, but it's become a regular feature in SCTG productions.
“STAY AWAKE”
In every SCTG play there is a character who will say the words “stay awake” in a context specific to the play. This is a nod to the very first SCTG production titled Stay Awake!
ANNIE REFERENCE
There is frequently a reference to the play Annie in SCTG shows and it’s never respectful.
PRE-SHOW INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH
Just before opening curtain, director Miller gives an inspirational speech which ends with the entire cast hugging each other and this dialogue:
DIRECTOR: Who do we do this for?
CAST: EACH OTHER!
HALFTIME INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH
During intermission, director Miller gives an inspirational speech which always ends with:
DIRECTOR: Okay, it’s intermission – what has the audience been doing?
CAST: DRINKING!
DIRECTOR: What do we do?
CAST: Wake them up!
FAVORITE EXCUSES FOR NOT KNOWING LINES
“I memorized my lines, Brod – I just don’t know where they go.” (Nick Angelo)
“It was a dramatic pause.” (Molly McCracken’s explanation when forgetting dialogue.)
OFTEN HEARD AT REHEARSAL:
"This is the best play we have ever done!"
“This scene has officially died.”
“As the applause ebbs…”
“Projection! Energy! Truth!”
“Find the truth”
“Passion, for god’s sake!”
“No joke is too cheap. Except one…”
“You live in darkness"
“We are now firing on all cylinders.”
“What is the scene about?…Okay, but what is it really about?”
“This is a popcorn moment.”
“Who do we do this for? Each other!”
“Even if only 5% of the audience gets it, it’s still worth it.”
“Find the music in the words.”
“If nobody else laughs, I will.”
“That was brilliant. Do it again.”
“Sentiment without sentimentality.”
“Never tell the audience what they already know.”
“The moment is everything.”