reshman Phil Burrows, sophomore Erika Ross, junior Sam eters, freshman J. Spurlock and junior Tim Davis read over a script uring aTheatron rehearsal. The theater group strove to portray Christ hrough parables that inspired audiences toward Christian living. Photo by April Clem) Pied Pipers, the children's the3ter group, focused on bringing joy :0 the lives of children. Performances were based on fa– :TIiliar fairy tales, fo lk tales, nurs– ~ ry rhymes, poetry, games and ,ongs. Based on the age and size of :lUdience, their performances were .mprovisational. Members of Pied Pipers wore :)[ight costumes and did not use ?rops. Their goa l was to get the :hildren to use their imaginations. Dottie Frye, director of the Pied ?ipers, received her master's de– ~ree in children 's theater from Memphis State University. Frye loved many things about Norking w ith Pied Pipers. "Relationships, laughter, chil– dren, energy, shar ing, love, growth and imagination make my job enjoyable," Frye sa id. Frye and other group membe rs grew spiritua ll y and as actors. "There is a grow ing as an indi– vidual, as a Christian and as a performer," Frye said. Senior Heidi Springs ton sa id she loved being around people who shared her focus. "Being with a group of people who love both God and kids more than anything else is what drew me to Pipers," Springston said. The members had to feel com– fortable together and rely on each o ther so th ey cou ld present a healthy image to the ir audience. "Becau se it is such a close-knit group, and because it is improvisa– tional, the Pipers have to d evelop a working relationship where they trust each other. "If it [the show] is positive and shows healthy relationships wor k– ing together, then a ll the kids see is the fun/' Frye said. After fall semester tryouts for Pied Pipers, elimination was diffi– cu lt and was never done without a lot of prayer, Frye sa id. Frye tried to put together a group that complemented each other. "When it clicks it is magic," Frye said . Frye wasn't the only one who Sophomore Jessa Hilliard involves herself in a conversation with a local elementary school student after a Pied Pipers performance.The Pied Pipers trav– eled to eight different schools throughout Searcy to entertain children during the fall semester. (Photo by April Clem) could tell how well the group fit together. "All the pipers are my family," juni or Tom Meadows said. Frye believed this year's Pied Pipers group could be described with two wo rds: fearless love. " I had people who would fear– lessly jump in," Frye sa id . Frye believed she could teach the members how to be ministers to children if they loved the chil– dren. One d ay a child asked Frye if the Pied Pipers were all brothers and sisters. "That is what weare going for," Frye said. -Jelll1a LaCaze drama 189 1111111 .
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