KENT, Conn.—The Kent Center School Theatre Company will present “Headspace,” an original musical, at the school Wednesday and Thursday, April 8 and 9.
Featuring more than 30 students from fifth through eighth grades, the show includes hits from the 1980s and ’90s, as well as original music by director and playwright Kimberly Compton.
The story takes the audience inside the mind of a confused boy trying to find his path—where an Entertainer spins the soundtrack, a Conductor drives the Train of Thought, a Dreamkeeper guards the night, and a Syncopator keeps time.
Josh, played by Everett Rost, is about to meet a Narrator who believes in him, a Travel Agent ready to guide the journey, and a Troublemaker determined to keep him lost.
“‘Headspace’ takes a boy who is on the wrong path through the most important journey of all, through his mind,” said Compton. “The voices of the characters must help him find his way to the person he was meant to be.”
The Conductor of the Train of Thought is performed by Tristyn Cole; the Travel Agent by Elise O’Brien, and the Narrator by Olivia Cabrera. Lyra Wilder is the Entertainer who spins the soundtrack; Nate Keck the Lead Shapeshifter and Aria Fodor the Syncopator.
Seamus Dietrich is the Troublemaker and Annabelle Kinsella the Dreamkeeper. Many more students are included as dancers and ensemble members of the cast. The students have been in rehearsal since January. Additional students make up the backstage crew managing props and sound.
“The goal of the KCS Theatre Company is to let kids bring unique, original characters and stories to life in a safe, inclusive and fun environment,” said Compton. “The cast becomes a family while learning the ropes and terminology of putting on a smashing production.”
“Headspace” performances are free and open to the public at 7 p.m.
“We think the audience will enjoy the collision of music, dreams and runaway thoughts that guide Josh and change his life forever,” said Compton.