As a mom and former middle-school teacher I’ve been around enough kids that age to know what they are like when grouped together, especially in tight quarters.
But the gaggle I met up with Wednesday afternoon were a little different because they were as likely to break into song as they were non-stop chatter.
I shouldn’t have been that surprised as we congregated backstage at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora between Wednesday’s afternoon and evening performances.
These are theater kids after all. And for the last five weeks, the 21 youngsters in the cast of “School of Rock” have been singing and dancing their way through more musical productions than most of their peers will see in a lifetime.
“Are they always like this?” I asked Bailey O’Neil, referring to the perfect-pitch a cappella harmonies that rang out, not only as they waited to go on stage, but later in the dressing room as they changed into street clothes for this two-hour break before the 7 p.m. show.
“Any time they can make noise they will … and yes, they are always singing,” confirmed O’Neil, who since the “Elf” production in 2017 has taken on the role of young performer supervisor for the Paramount, which not only means keeping the kids in these big musicals on task but being their advocate in what is typically “very much an adult space.”
That means “helping the others understand what it is like to be a kid,” the West Aurora High School and Aurora University graduate explained. “They are balancing school and other things with the expectations put upon them by professionals. And it can become a fine line because you want them to step up to the standard and be professional actors. But it is easy to forget they are still going to school five times a week and have this learning curve.”
Because the “School of Rock” cast of kids is so large – “The Sound of Music” at the Paramount featured 18 – O’Neil is assisted by Lexie Bailey. Both are 27 and Aurora-raised theater kids themselves who do not take for granted this opportunity to not only be part of these young actors’ theater journeys but also learn first-hand from the Paramount’s critically-acclaimed group of directors, choreographers and designers.
In fact, O’Neil, who also took on a “kid wrangler” role at Drury Lane, is using all the experience she’s gathered thus far to direct The Paramount School of Arts production of “Matilda Junior,” which will be the focus of a performance camp three weeks in June.
“It’s going to be really cool coming full circle on the Paramount stage with this summer show,” she said.
For now, she is zeroed in on these 21 young professional musicians, which also means making sure they keep up with homework during down time.
The children are divided into three rotating levels, which has to do with the role and time on stage. But most are doing six to eight shows a week. And while they are all smart, motivated and certainly talented, O’Neil pointed out, “they are still just kids” with different personalities and needs that must be taken into consideration.
Filing off stage and into their respective dressing rooms after that final matinee bow, the boys and girls were still on an adrenaline rush, interacting in that squirrely but endearing way so typical of middle-schoolers who always have so much to express.
Only in this case there were those harmonious melodies – lots of Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars going on – that would frequently and unexpectedly replace the chit-chat.
Out of costume and now all gathered around O’Neil in the hall, this “School of Rock” crew still had plenty of energy to expend. After listening to final instructions on the schedule for the rest of the day, a few broke into a sweet ukulele-led rendition of “Count on Me” while parading single-file through the dark backstage area and into the side aisle of the now-empty theater.
Once in the lobby, some were met by family who, after handing out lots of hugs and kudos for yet another incredible show, whisked the kids off for something to eat and to enjoy a short break outside the building.
The remaining kids, lunches in tow, followed O’Neil and Bailey into the Paramount back alley, where they devoured their food, stretched their legs, threw a few balls and generally just horsed around.
While drummer David Mattle and guitarist Julian Wanderer are from the East Coast and have relocated here through the last show June 4, most of these young performers live in the ‘burbs – two are from Indiana – which means plenty of commuting and a whole lot of juggling to keep up with school and stage.
Tina Finch of Arlington Heights, who described the entire Paramount staff as “so welcoming” to families, admits she’d likely not be able to keep up with daughter Annabel’s demanding schedule – she attended school for a few hours that morning – if Mom did not have the flexibility of her job as a substitute teacher.
“She’s still on the honor roll but it’s hard to get it all done,” said Finch, who stays to see at least one show a week, often bringing friends to watch her daughter play “Sophie” in this, the 13-year-old’s second pro show.
Finch also knows it takes a “special personality” to help make this gig a memorable experience for these youngsters.
“Bailey and Lexie have to be patient. They need to be chill and relaxed but also keep (the kids) in line. These two … they are the best. The absolute best.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
