WILLY WONKA & DANTE

Dante and the play he has been working on since the end of April opened last night. Our church has a fantastic drama ministry called Haven Academy for the Arts. It is a non-profit organization designed to give kids from 5-18 a safe play to learn and enjoy all types of arts.

Dante has done a few plays over the past 3 years and really loves it. Who knew!

This production has been a blast for him. He plays the deaf Grandpa in the show and wears a grey wig. By the way, he looks just like my Mom. Hilarious!

All the kids in this production are between 12 & 20 years old. Except the Um Pa Loom Pa's of course. Who by the way are pretty great themselves.

One of the main focuses the director, Rebekah has is character development. I do not mean the ones they play but the ones they are. She works to build respect, trust, patience, kindness and relationships between the kids. it show too because they really care about each other. I think this is such an amazing idea considering what entertainment really is...competitive.

Since Dante is home schooled, it is an amazing gift to have an opportunity like this for him. The Academy has so much to offer. Since both my husband and I have been in entertainment most of our lives, we are not surprised by his interest. We have never pushed him, just drove him to try-outs. He has done all this on his own and we are both really proud of him. Dante has kept his commitments, showed up for everything and has tried to do a really good job.

Congratulations Rebekah and to the entire cast of WILLY WONKA for all your hard work and a show well done!

Dante as Grandpa George

Willy Wonka & the Um Pa Loom Pa's