Monologues and a magical paintbrush: PPT kids dazzle in Theatre Brats Festival

Rubyyy Jones

Cultural Correspondent

The Lions Park Amphitheatre came alive last weekend as the Paris Performers’ Theatre showcased part one of THEATRE BRATS: A Festival—an energetic celebration of short plays and mini monologues performed by the talented youth of the PPT Drama Club, with support from Paris Performers’ Theatre members.

Big Cityyy Arts has secured the rights to participate in Positive Stories for Negative Times, an international youth theatre initiative produced annually by the Scottish group Wonder Fools in partnership with Traverse Theatre. As part of the festival, Wonder Fools commissions playwrights to create six short, contemporary plays, which are then performed by youth theatre companies around the world. Saturday’s performance in Paris was part of this global initiative. In a generous show of support for Paris Performers’ Theatre, Big Cityyy Arts extended the opportunity to the local group and sponsored all elements of the event, allowing 100 per cent of proceeds to go toward expanding PPT Drama Club programming in 2025. Following auditions, PPT selected two plays: Careful What You Wish For by Hannah Low, a magical and thought-provoking kids' show about art and morality, and We Ain’t Movin’ by Travis Alabanza, a teen production exploring community, activism and the power of art.

Saturday was a scorcher, and out of caution for cast, crew and audience, only the kids show was presented, however, both plays will return in September with an evening show on Friday, September 26th and a matinee on Saturday, September 27th. 

Despite the heat, the kids and cast of Careful What You Wish For did a magical job. It was like a refreshing breeze (one that would be very much appreciated) to see these young people bring so much passion, skill and energy.

The event opened with three cast members—Braeden Clark, Faye Nash, and Avika Kalvapalle—each performing a mini monologue selected for them by director and PPT Drama Head Madison Kohli. The Walter Williams Amphitheatre boasts a big stage and the young cast handled it like pros. Their performance of Careful What You Wish For, a short play about kids on a field trip to an art museum who discover a magical paintbrush, explored the challenges of deciding how best to use unlimited power and the possibility to change the world.

Braeden, Faye and Avika were then joined by Kenner Allen and Kaylee Janushewski to fill out the cast of adventurous kids. They were supported by PPT members in supporting cast roles - Thomas Whitney - also in the teen show - played several characters, and so did PPT adults Brittany Blekinsop and Shar O’Neil. Director Madison Kohli had a cameo as a Granny and Rubyyy Jones (me!), played the Teacher, David Attenborough and a school bus! It was such a sweet and tender-hearted show; each kid really put their all into it and brought incredible energy to this important story.

Kaylee Janushewski played ‘Red’ and brought a great grounded presence, a complexity of character and amazing focus on the storytelling. Kenner Allen played ‘Indigo’ and created a character so full of heart, courage in the face of fear and philanthropic passion, it was very inspiring. Braeden Clark performed with excellent energy, incredible physicality and the drive that kept the whole show moving. Faye Nash brought sensational characterisation, peaceful power and exciting choices as an actor. Avika Kalvapalle was so dynamic bringing a sophisticated blend of maturity and innocence to her performance, a brave voice of reason in the play and a phenomenal part of this cast and show. Kudos to Madison Kohli for working so hard on the productions. It was so exciting to see PPT Kids performing on stage again - and performing exquisitely at that. 

Make sure you’re following Paris Performers’ Theatre on social media so you can hear about the next shows and check out these cool cats. The PPT Drama Club meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5 pm at St. Paul’s United Church. They’re also hosting a special Drama Club camp day on Tuesday August 12th. For more information, email PPTKidsDrama@gmail.com