Flagship Theatre provides venue for budding thespians

Sharon Lewis-Saliba has loved the theatre since early childhood. In fact, she was bitten with the bug as a first-grade student growing up in Robertsdale.

Today, she has turned that itch for the theatre into a business to train young thespians for the stage - whether it be in front of an audience or working behind the scenes.

“I directed my first play in the first grade,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said prior to starting a session with some of her young charges at The Flagship Theatre, which opened January 25 in the former Ward-Wilson Funeral Home on Woodland Drive. “I’ve wanted to open my own theatre since then.”

The bug was planted as she assisted her first-grade teacher with a Christmas play. But that was just the beginning.

She once again directed a play in the sixth grade, and the itch became a full-blown desire.

“Directing became very clear to me,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said.

At Robertsdale High School, she took part in the Drama Club and the International Thespian Society. That involvement just fed her desire to learn more about the acting craft and especially the work of the director.

“Those two things really became my education to how to do things behind the scenes,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said. “I enjoyed performing in a role, but I felt more artistic in sharing with the actors as a director. Even now, that is my greatest accomplishment. I love to see a student on stage have an ‘ah-hah’ moment. Normally, after that moment, that kid just takes off.”

The Flagship Theatre provides classes for children ages 6-18. Ms. Lewis-Saliba says work in the theatre can help students excel in other areas of their lives.

“The kid you peg as shy or clumsy,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba says, “sometimes, their talent emerges in such a strong way (on the stage). You can see their confidence building. Those that get on stage will overcome their fear of public speaking.”

And there are other educational benefits.

“Because almost all we do stems from a script, memorizing, reading over and over again, seeing how the plot affects their character, that all helps in the classroom,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said. “I believe it makes the students better readers.”
Ms. Lewis-Saliba, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Children’s Theatre from the University of South Alabama, offers classes in six-week segments. The next session begins in March. She will also offer summer camps.

“My goal is to teach children to be bold,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said, “and to keep that boldness.

“Even if they find that they are not good in one art form, they will find one that they are good in. Theatre encompasses a lot of areas - acting, costuming, technical (lighting, sound).

“It’s important for children to do a lot of things. We want to have something happening here every week.

“In addition to our classes, we will also offer summer camps. Kids are looking for things to do.”

Unlike other activities, acting, says Ms. Lewis-Saliba, does not have an age or locale restriction.

“Acting will never go out of style,” Ms. Lewis-Saliba said. “You don’t have to have a lot of special effects. Acting is all about the actor connecting with the audience. That is what is important.”

The initial six-week session of classes has the students focusing on “The Ugly Clunkling,” which is a robot play based on “The Ugly Duckling.” The play will be presented March 1-4. Performances are set for 6 p.m.

The spring session will work on “The Empress’ New Clothes.” The summer session will present “The Pineapple Prince.”

All performances will be held at The Flagship Theatre, 965 Woodland Drive.

A special program, open to the public, will be presented February 19 at 7 p.m. Bob the Magician will be on stage to dazzle his audience. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. For ticket information, call 699-FLAG or visit http://www.theflagshiptheatre.com.