Kids enjoy first time in Muny Kids

Emily Woods

Thirteen-year-old Emily Woods of Belleville, Ill., said her mother called her at school to tell her she'd been selected for the Muny Kids troupe. "I jumped up and down right in the school office," the 7th grader said.

The Muny Kids and Muny Teens are special groups of area kids who serve as "good will ambassadors" to promote The Muny. That's America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, located in Forest Park.

Delaney Haynes

Emily and 9-year-old Delaney Haynes of St. Louis both were selected for the Muny Kids on their second try. They had parts in Muny musical productions last season. But, they didn't get through the additional Muny Kids auditions.

This summer, they'll be in Muny's 2006 shows and be members in Muny Kids.

Ravi Shastri

Seven-year-old Ravi Shastri of Fenton, Mo., made Muny Kids on this first try this year.

Ravi has good theater bloodlines. His older cousin, Neil Shastri, is a veteran of Muny Kids. He also was on Broadway last year in the stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "Bombay Dreams."

The three kids will each appear in one of the 2006 Muny summer programs.

But, they are taking on lots more responsibility when they join Muny kids.

Not only do they have Muny Kids practices once or twice a week. They make up to 75 performances in the summer and fall to promote The Muny. Appearances range from the Variety Club telethon to shows at numerous children's charity events.

(To learn more about The Muny, Muny Kids and Muny Teens, visit www.muny.org.)

Although Emily, Delaney and Ravi have been in only one Muny show, they have plenty of other stage experiences.

Last year, Delaney performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She got to practice for the parade in Madison Square Garden, New York's famous downtown arena.

The 4th grader at Central Christian School in St. Louis said the Macy trip was her best performing experience. "I like to travel," she said. Her parents and sister went with her.

She said her first acting performance was when she was six. "I was a munchkin in 'Wizard of Oz'," she said. That's the same play she'll appear in at The Muny this summer. "The Wizard of Oz" is the third show of the 2006 Muny season, opening July 6.

She said the only time she gets nervous is at auditions. That's because she's trying to get selected for the cast. She said she doesn't get nervous during stage performances.

Delaney said she knows kids who have been in Muny Kids. "They tell me it's a great experience and lots of fun."

Emily is a 7th grader at Emge Junior High in Belleville. She said her first stage performance was in a church play, entitled "The Joy of Easter."

She admits she made a mistake in that play. "I waved to a friend of mine in the audience" during the performance, she said.

This summer, she'll be in "The Wizard of Oz" with Delaney.

She said she's gone to arts camps at South Western Illinois College and a drama camp at Althoff High School. Both are in Belleville.

She's working on a school play, "Aladdin Jr." Emily said, "I'm a genie."

Ravi Shastri is a 1st grader at Uthoff Valley Elementary School. He said he's appeared in plays at school and at Ladue High School. The school play was "Go Fish." He said he was one of three sharks who sing.

The play at Ladue High was "Dear Edwina Jr." He said the play was about how young kids should handle unfamiliar foods. His only spoken line was "Peanut butter and jelly."

Ravi will be in "The King and I" this summer at The Muny.

All the kids do other things than acting and singing.

Ravi plays soccer and T-ball. Emily is a cheerleader for her school's 7th and 8th grade basketball teams. Delaney plays soccer and basketball at her school.

About a future career, the two girls talk of having entertainment careers.

Emily said, "I'd like to be a famous singer." But, she said she might like to be a social worker. "I have an aunt who is a social worker," she said.

Delaney said, "I'd like to be a TV actress. But, if not, I'd like to be a doctor."

Ravi said his career choices as of now are either a space scientist or a chef.