Schools

Story Pirates Invade Stoddert, Bring Laughs

Improvisational actors and comedians, the Story Pirates, performed at Stoddert Elementary Saturday.

The Story Pirates had their audience of children and parents laughing and engaged for the hour-long performance Saturday at Stoddert Elementary. One of the founders of the theater and improv group, Sam Reiff-Pasarew, proudly called Stoddert his school two decades ago.

The Story Pirates work with students to teach them the art of storytelling through improv. to write an original piece, which the team of professional actors brought to life Saturday.

The community came out in force to enjoy the improv group; they organizers scrambled to get extra seats for the estimated 120 people who attended.

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The pirates tell stories through acting and song and offer lessons throughout. Kids learn about listening to parents-to avoid death by vampire- and to express themself freely, even if video game-playing cousins and wacky professors do not appreciate it.

Nichi Douglas, one of the actors, said she found out about the Story Pirates through a friend who was a pirate and lived in her building. Douglas studied theater at NYU and thought the group offered a great experience.

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Pianist for the group, Joel Esher, had friends from his alma mater, North Western, who were part of the Story Pirates. He auditioned and got the gig and now provides just the right notes for actors on stage.

The original story created by Stoddert students, "The Golden Apples: Ninja Steve and his Commander vs. the Selfish Mischievous Monkeys," was a big hit with kids and parents alike.

Parent Dominic Colbert said his son, Dominic Colbert II, was one of the authors of the show. Colbert (senior) said the show was "fantastic" and he marveled that the actors were "so creative to take the kids words" and put them into action.

Daniela Kidder, 9, is a Stoddert student and though she did not help write the story, she said the performance was "pretty cool."


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