Noodling around with a spaghetti western

The Movement Center's annual benefit showcases talent

by PAULA BENDER
Sun Correspondent
*Archived October 2006 article

Tickets for the show are available online at www.movementcenter.org, or by calling (808) 735-8641. Show dates are Saturday, October 7th, with a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. gala; and Sunday, October 8th, with a 2 p.m. matinee. An old fashioned barbecue will occur between the Saturday shows and begins at 5 p.m. in the Mamiya Theatre courtyard on the St. Louis School campus.

The Movement Center is known for its phenomenal productions that feature children as young as three years old to college students and adults who can't seem to give up their taps and toe shoes, and want to spend some time at the barre. Executive Director and Founder Lisa Kimsey has made a point of providing opportunities for children with special needs, fitting them right in with the daily classes.

"Sepia Town: A Ramen Western" was written by TMC instructor Nicole Young. "With the help of other faculty and some of our students, I revised the script so that the characters eventually learn something about themselves," Young said. "The message that I'm hoping to get across is that everyone has some kind of talent, but it is their choice whether to make a positive or negative impact on the world with it."

Featured in the lead role of Mayor Molly May is Victoria Chang of Hawaii Kai, a student at Sacred Hearts School. Taking on the role required her to learn to speak with a western accent and to dance with cowboy boots.

"Victoria knows that the only way she will be allowed to take classes at TMC is to keep her grades up. Performing arts has required Victoria to manage the limited amount of free time she has for after school activities. She will do whatever it takes to continue taking ballet, tap, and jazz classes, and seeing her friends at TMC," said her father, Rodney Chang. "Her brother, Zachary, a second grader at St. Patrick School, has followed in his sister's footsteps of taking classes at TMC. He will be a 'tumbling monkey' in this year's show. They both enjoy spending time with their TMC friends."

Kimsey fully supports the parents who enforce strict scholastic rules for the students who attend TMC classes. "A balance of fun activities and school work is always beneficial for a child," Kimsey said. "We always encourage our students to pursue greatness at school. TMC students get to use both sides of their brain; they get to see how learning can be fun, whether it's a new dance or an algebraic equation."

The Changs have been devoted TMC parents for several years. "As parents, we need to be committed to supporting our children's activities," Mr. Chang said. "Besides the tuition fees and the transportation issues, parents are counted on to encourage our budding performers to participate in activities that will help them gain self confidence and maturity."