Paramount School of the Arts brings ‘The Lightning Thief’ to the stage
Take your seat for an epic adventure with Percy Jackson and the demigods of Camp Half-Blood as they battle monsters, dodge gods, and try to save the world in “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” Paramount School of the Arts’ third annual performance camp production.
This fun and action-packed musical, performed on the historic Paramount stage by more than 50 talented students from the Paramount School of the Arts, brings the world of Greek mythology to life with music, laughs, and lots of surprises. Don’t miss this electrifying journey of friendship, courage, and finding out who you really are.
Performances will be Friday, June 27, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Tickets are $15. To purchase, visit paramountaurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until show time on show days. Run time is 75 minutes, no intermission.
Right now, the youth performers and seven technical theater students are honing their stage skills during three weeks of intensive rehearsals, five days a week, with Paramount’s professional artists and staff. Director Bailey O’Neil, choreographer Nataki Rennie, and music director Carolyn Brady, supported by Paramount’s professional design and technical staff, are rehearsing the company for an audience pleaser of a show, filled with high-energy song and dance numbers, performed in full costume on a professional set on Paramount’s iconic stage.
Cast members include Alice Bath (Percy), Aaliyah Brossett (Annabeth), Nick Mensik (Grover), Kaylee Masciola (Luke), Matthew Bianchi (Mr. D), Jack Bicker (Brunner/Chiron, Kronos), Alyssa Nemenoff (Sally), Sophia Mikoola (Clarisse), Ash Jacobs (Poseidon), Miranda Alvis (Ares), Quinn Ruxton (Mrs. Dodds), Olivia Testa (Oracle), Molly Hughes (Hades), Aria Brossett (Thalia), Jack Doden (Gabe Ugliano), Katelyn Jacobsen (Aunty Em), Eleanor Burlingame (Charon), Raney Michel (Bianca di Angelo), Logan Zemba (Nico di Angelo/ Cyclops), Anna Devany (Bus Driver), Jose Miguel Andrade (Uber Driver), Liam Devany (Young Grover), Audrey Leonard (Young Annabeth), Kerrigan LaBrasseur (Young Luke), Estella Dorough (Nancy Bobofit) and Emerson Carter (Chimera and Owner).
Additional demigods are played by Lily Crosby, Josie Guzman, Ashlynn Pulfer and Ivy Punsalan. The ensemble also includes Elise Bentley, Riley Carter, Sophia Chastain, Julia Dawson, Katie Ferris, Dania Gonzalez, Grayce Hunt, Audrey Kunstler, Abby Lunardini, Hadley Madden, Norah McCambridge, Charlotte Retzer, Paris Santiago, Jessica Schejbel, Molly Schroeder, Harper Sherretz, Summer Stewart, Audrey Sung, Everly Thomas and Kate Widmer.
“It’s such an honor to offer this unique opportunity to young local artists to collaborate on a production with Paramount professionals for four weeks, then have the chance to shine on the Paramount stage,” Jessica M. Duplessis, director of education and community engagement, Paramount Theatre and Paramount School of the Arts. “Not only are they improving their performance techniques, they’re developing life skills that will serve them no matter what they do when they grow up, like confidence, problem-solving and teamwork.”
Since opening in 2019, the Paramount School of the Arts has offered a deep roster of classes and camps for all ages — ages 4 to adults — in theater, music, dance and production art. Limited spots are still available for more than a dozen weeklong summer camp experiences for kids, running now through the end of summer.
Fall class offerings and registration will open Friday, June 20. Auditions for the school’s audition-based programs will be held on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16. Audition information can be found at paramountaurora.com/school.
Paramount School of the Arts is located at 20 S. Stolp Ave., right around the corner from Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. To enroll or for information on class, camp and scholarship opportunities, visit paramountaurora.com/school, email school@paramountarts.com or call (630) 896-6810.