Weekend’s Halloween Warm-up a success for Matchbox and the community
Published 11:07 am Monday, October 7, 2024
Youngsters try out their new magic wands during the Halloween Warm-up Saturday night at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Saturday night’s first tour visits Mabel the Dragon during this year’s Halloween Warm-up at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The first group make’s its way into the woods at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Saturday night during the Halloween Warm-up. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Clara Stanley, right, helps instruct young vampires Bella Pagones, from left, and Kamar Regner how to fly during the Halloween Warm-up Saturday night at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Visitors to the Halloween Warm-up Saturday night take in one of the skits at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Clara Stanley, from left, Bella Pagones and Kamar Regner guide young visitors on how to help them use their wands to assist in helping young vampires to fly during Saturday night’s Halloween Warm-up at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
A group moves to the next skit of the Halloween Warm-up Saturday night at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Surrounded by the woods of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, a group stops for one the Halloween Warm-up’s skits Saturday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
A tour stops in an art class for mermaids Saturday night during the annual Halloween Warm-up at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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The fantastic was haunting the woods of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center this past weekend for the annual Halloween Warm-up.
It marked the second year of the fundraiser being run by the Matchbox Children’s Theatre, which was sold out both nights.
“This is the smoothest it’s ever gone with the largest production it’s ever been,” said MCT Executive Director Angela Perry. “We’re definitely rocking it and really loving it. It’s a great point to take next year to the next level as well.”
The show and its planning is completely in the hands of the MCT staff and perhaps most importantly, the kids who are a part of the theater.
And they have run with it, taking it from the first year and going bigger with the production in this second year, as the show featured a theme of the Charmed Creatures Academy.
“The kids definitely all had a loud cheer that it was sold out,” Perry said. “It’s really great for us and great for the Nature Center. It really helps us continue the mission for both and continue a promise of going big next year as well.”
This year’s show included taking tour groups through the stations in the Nature Center, with each station highlighting skits around young vampires learning how to change into bats, gnomes learning math, mermaids painting and more.
As part of the event, black lights were provided at each station, which opened a whole new door of opportunity for the kids themselves.
“What we decided to do this year is add black lights at every station and add black light paint,” Perry said, explaining that the actors themselves could then use special paint and costumes that glowed under the light. “A big bonus is the tour group can see everything better.”
Another added detail came with an interactive element. A tour’s first stop came at Mabel the Dragon, the superintendent of the academy, who dispersed magic wands to the kids, who in turn used them at the various stations.
“A lot of fun ways to show what a magical academy would be like and you get to walk through it,” Perry said.
The event also highlights the importance of the MCT in the community in a broader sense through opportunities like the Warm-up.
For the kids, Perry said it’s the chance to come in and be a part of something that often branches into something much more.
“Coming in and meeting all these new friends and learning all these new things and just ample giggles and having fun and having confidence just blossoming right out of them,” Perry said. “It just pays off in itself to remind us what we’re doing it for.”
However, Perry said that’s only part of it as the benefits can have lasting effects for those outside MCT and the Warm-up. There is a community connection that can often extend to their own families.
“The parents of course being able to come out and enjoy this and connect with others that we collaborate with,” she said. “They get to connect more with the community through that and they get to connect more with their kids through that.”
One step further and Perry explains the lasting impact MCT has and can have on the broader theater community.
“It also gives a different flavor of what to do,” Perry said. “We have Riverland and we have Summerset and we have the high school and the junior high and it’s all great. We’re all working together. We still have to make sure we have that place for youngins to start out.”
All of this contributes to an organization that benefits the community in general.
“The benefit in the general community is really just keeping that art alive and the many ways we can all connect to each other,” Perry said.
While the Halloween Warm-up is probably the most well-known fundraiser by MCT, it’s certainly not the only one. In just about a month’s time, the MCT will hold a Spaghetti Western Fundraiser from 4:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 9.
The night will include a spaghetti dinner with root beer saloon, along with a live auction and auctioneer that will be an actual part of the show.
There will also be a silent auction and visitors will be able to dress up and have their photo taken at the photo booth.
“Please, please, please come and support us at our fundraiser,” Perry said, promising a good time for all those that attend or come and help out. “We can use all the help we can get and we always appreciate in every way that you can help. Even if it’s by money or if it’s by volunteering. Reach out. We’re happy to have you.”
General admission for the fundraiser is $30 and $15 for kids ages 3-12. Ages three and under are free.
For more information, visit: www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org/westernfundraiser.
Upcoming events
Fundraiser Party-Spaghetti Western
4:30-8 p.m., Nov. 9
At the Matchbox Children’s Theatre located at First United Methodist Church.
Winter Show – “A Seussified Christmas Carol”
Auditions: 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and 6-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3
Shows: Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22.
Spring Show – “The Frog Price of Spamalot”
Auditions: 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
Shows: April 5-6 and April 12 and 13.
For more information, visit: www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org.
