European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Might a v <1 ii a -. _. A a a a _ ,.a a a a. 7 think theater has a place in our children s lives Quot says Wanda Patterson the theater specialist who organized the workshop. Or ipg-1, Quot a a a it 3�&4l-v Morgan Patterson left plays the Cheshire cat and Brenda Schumacher is Alice in the production of malice in wonderland Quot by Chuck Roberts staff writer t he plays were performed with More hitches than you can find in a a haul Dealership. The actors blew their lines missed their cues and overstepped their stage markings. But Diana Decker thought it was great. Quot i would definitely do it again Quot Decker said after watching children from the Giessen military Community in Germany perform condensed versions of Alice in wonderland and sleeping Beauty recently As the youth division program specialist for Giessen Decker wanted to add something to the children s summer Camp program that would help build their esteem and offer a few life lessons. Decker said she got the idea while observing the German children s theater. But putting the German and american children together in a Heater workshop would not work she thought because of the language Barrier. So she went to the folks at the Keller theatre in Giessen. Wanda Patterson theater specialist took on the Challenge of cramming about 50 hours of theater workshop into a two hour class for the 75 children from three local summer Camps. After learning about auditioning casting and makeup the children went Back to their Camps and began preparing and rehearsing for the plays they would perform. There was time for just four hours of rehearsing not nearly enough for All of the children to learn their lines but Decker said they Learned something More important. From left Marie Bonaccorse Zandy Miller Jacqueline flow is mass Jln Quot sleeping beauty.1 Quot one of the biggest things to do is build self esteem a Decker said. Quot you could see it in their faces even if they did no to speak any  eleven year old Erin Perez Learned that although you Don t always get what you want you d better be ready in Case you do. In the play Alice in wonderland Perez wanted the role of Rose but had to Settle for the character Daisy when the girl who was scheduled to play Rose  make it to the theater on the Day of the performance Perez stepped right into the role because she had memorized the lines of both characters now she said she is ready Tor bigger and better things. Quot its fun but i want to be a main character because you get More lines Quot Perez said. The children performed while wearing shorts and sneakers and handmade costumes. Chris d Nard Wheeler said he had a severe Case of. Stage fright before appearing in his role As the mad Hatter. But once things got under Way he enjoyed it All a despite a mix up that prevented him from singing his Solo. When Patterson pointed out the oversight at the end of the play Chris said he was happier that he did t have to sing. Quot i thought i was going to be shy on stage Quot said the 8-year-old from Nieder Rossbach Germany Quot but i just so a shucks and went on stage and did  others said they preferred to remain behind the scenes. Ten year old David Buckner was Happy to Man the Light controls but said he was a Little wary of operating a $25,000 computer. Georgiano Nelson said the theater workshop was a Good experience for her 8-year-old son Scott who had the role of a playing card in Alice in wonderland. Quot he loves it Quot Nelson said. Quot he thinks it s really great. He did no to realize that there was so much to  Patterson agreed with Decker theater offers More than entertainment. Quot i think theater has a place in our children a lives Quot said Patterson whose 14-year-old daughter was in charge of lighting for the musical Oklahoma that was performed in the Keller theatre. Quot it teaches them so much about communication commitment and working in a  the theater specialist said she noticed a difference among the children who performed in the play Scrooge last year. By the time the show ended their ability to work with one another improved immensely she said. Quot plus its fun Quot she added. A Brenda Schumacher 10, in her starring role As Alice. Sas photos by Mike Abrams Quot i thought i was going to be shy on stage but just said shucks and went on stage and did it a says Chris d Nard Wheeler who plays the mad Hatter. Pamela Bell As the Queen is in die background. Page 14 the stars and stripes monday August 12,1991 the stars and stripes b Page 15