Young Actors Bring The Circle Of Life To Southampton Cultural Center

Imagination sets the stage for an upcoming performance of “The Lion King Jr.,” starring third- through ninth-graders from the East End.

The play, which will be offered at the Southampton Cultural Center on July 19 and 20, is presented by South Fork Performing Arts, an acting program created by theatrical director Tamara Salkin and music director Amanda Jones.

This is South Fork Performing Arts’ first season, which began with a winter performance of “Antigone Now” followed by a spring performance of “Little Women.” This program offers a lot of firsts for the company, as this is the first performance starring a range of younger children ages 6 to 13 and the troupe’s first summer performance.

The program is unique, according to the directors, because of its “black box” performances, which utilize literal black boxes measuring a foot square in lieu of sets.

“The whole mission of our company when we do a performance is to keep it really minimal in the costumes and the sets so that the audience is paying attention to the kids and what they’re doing,” Ms. Salkin said.

The performers are expected to fulfill their roles through body language and movement, instead of letting elaborate costumes define their character. Such a challenge, however, will be aided with the help of an African percussionist and African dance movement teacher. The directors believe having these authentic lessons will elevate the kids’ experience as cast members, while also giving them cultural exposure. In addition, the young cast works closely with their directors to create the movement of animals they have chosen as a way of putting their own touch on the production.

“You know what’s so great about kids? They’re not afraid to ask questions,” Ms. Salkin said, noting that after asking the children what animal they would like to be on stage, she worked with them to figure out the best way to portray their chosen animal.

On a recent visit with the group as they worked at SCC, it was obvious that friendships were quickly forming, even only three days into rehearsal.

“It’s so fun, so exciting,” said 11-year-old Fairleigh Stewart, a Ross School student who is playing Mufasa. “You never really know what you’re going to work on next.”

This is not Fairleigh’s first performance, as she has been acting in theatrical productions for six years. But this production will be a new experience for her, as the set will be the black boxes rather than the elaborate sets she is used to at Ross.

Though the role of Mufasa does present its challenges, as there are only 12 rehearsals and a week to learn the lines, Farleigh is confident that she and the rest of the cast will be ready for opening night on July 19.

“I hope that they’ll [the audience] see that our imaginations are really big,” Farleigh said.

“The Lion King Jr” will premiere on Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. in the Levitas Center for the Arts at the Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton. On Saturday, July 20, shows are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 at southforkperformingarts.com.