Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo: Cinderella APU Style

It’s a timeless tale. Both the young and old know it by heart – the way the pumpkin turns into a carriage or how the glass slipper fits the heroine. Whether it’s Disney, Rogers and Hammerstein, or APU, the tale remains the same magical story that we all love.

In a fairytale twist, APU invited local Azusa high school students to find their own fairy godmothers and ride away to the royal ball in APU’s latest production of Cinderella. Five ninth graders and a fifth grader from Sierra High School’s after-school dance and theatre programs performed on the stage with current and past APU actors and actresses in Azusa Renaissance, a group designed to help local Azusa youth grow in their understanding of art and drama while encouraging them through free performances and workshops run by APU students. “APU should do this more often because it encourages me,” ninth grader Priscilla said. “I want to go here. I want to go to college and do something like this. I know that college isn’t scary anymore because of the nice people here.”

Directed by Monica Ganas, Ph.D., associate professor of communication studies, the production has one goal in mind: to have APU reach out to the Azusa community. With that purpose in mind, Ganas has been encouraging the mixing of communities with free admission to all Azusa youth (through twelfth grade with photo ID). “The best way to pop our APU bubble is to reach out to the community that surrounds us. And I think God will honor us,” said Jennifer Jackson ’05, who plays Cinderella, and is the instructor for the after-school programs.

Other cast members have enjoyed the opportunity to impact and minister to local students. “I think it’s important, especially for APU to reach out to schools around here," said Andrew Thureson '07, who plays, Chris, the young prince. "So many times we go to other places in the world, when really the ministry is also right here."

Cinderella continues June 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on June 4 at 2 p.m. Adults are $10; seniors, students, alumni, and groups are $8; and Azusa city school students (with ID) are free.

For more information, visit the Theatre Arts website or call (626) 815-5035.

Posted: May 31, 2005