Kentwood — Little princesses and princes joined their families for a high tea recently, nibbling miniature cupcakes, fashioning crowns and learning to dance a royal dance.
The free event, at East Kentwood High School, served as a prelude to the high school musical, “Cinderella,” which included a Saturday matinee performance. As children stepped and spun to classical music, student actors mingled with them while in character.
“It’s been so wonderful. I’ve seen so many princes and princesses, and it’s just been enchanting to see how everyone interacts with the royal family,” said sophomore Leoncia Bukasa, in character as the Fairy Godmother.
The event was a way to open access to the fine arts to all Kentwood families, bringing in young children and families to learn about what the district has to offer, said fine arts coordinator Kimberly Meyers-Baas. All KPS students get free tickets to the plays and musicals.
“This is an early start to help grow the theater program and the arts in general. We want all of our kids to have a quality arts experience,” she said. “This is an inclusive event. We didn’t want to have any barriers to open up the community. … We want people to enjoy it and have an elegant experience.”
Rob Karel, the high school’s new theater director, who is also a 2004 graduate of East Kentwood and a fourth-grade teacher at Discovery Elementary, said he wants to expose all students to the arts.
“A core memory of mine is being in elementary in Kentwood and coming to the auditorium as a student,” he said. “To be a lot of these children’s first (theater) experience I think is really special. It really is a magical thing for the students as well, to know that they are providing that for them.”
Mom Katie Gauthier attended with her daughter, Frankie, 4, who was dressed as a princess.
“I think it’s incredible that the community gets to experience the arts, and the little ones get to experience it as well,” Gauthier said. “It’s so kid-friendly. Kentwood really hit the mark with this one. It’s something they will remember for a long time.”
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