PUTNAM COUNTY
In front of audiences of teachers and students, and later parents, Gatewood Schools first- and second-graders performed “Stone Soup” on Feb. 3, a play that teaches the value of sharing.
In the story, hungry strangers come to a town where residents claim they have no food to share. The strangers answer that’s okay since they don’t need any food because they can make soup out of stones. Naturally, curious residents then gather round to see how that could happen.
As the strangers are boiling stones, they keep saying the soup needs more ingredients to improve its flavor—which residents helpfully contribute. In the end, strangers and locals alike make a delicious meal that everyone enjoys.
“The show is set in France, so I thought it was a perfect time to teach (the students) a couple of French songs,” explained Beth Mappes, a kindergarten teacher and director of Gatewood Players, a drama program at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton.
Thus, the show incorporated French folk dances and nursery songs such as “Frère Jacques,” “Alouette,” “Changerais Tu,” and introduced the young performers to other elements of French culture. Also part of the show was the participation of ukulele players.
The cast consisted of 27 Mini Players, the younger members of the extracurricular drama program at Gatewood.
“I wanted to limit it to 20,” Mappes admitted. “And then the first day 27 signed up. I couldn't turn any of them down.”
Preparation and rehearsals for “Stone Soup” took about a month, she said. Students received their scripts and songs before Christmas and after the Christmas break, they knew everything. “And that helped tremendously,” Mappes added.
Mappes is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she majored in Early Childhood Education. A teacher of 30 years, the Atlanta native has also maintained a passion for theater throughout her life.
She previously directed children's choir in Snellville, was on the board for On Stage Playhouse in Monroe and was involved in a theater program at Winder.
She said she chose “Stone Soup” because it’s one of her favorite plays. A friend from George Walton Academy in Walton County, where Mappes used to work, let her borrow the set pieces, whereas the costumes were pioneer outfits the children’s families ordered online.
'We wanted something fun for the time back in France that it was supposed to be,” Mappes said. The families agreed on what dresses and costumes each performer would wear.
“I think every young child should be up on stage,” Mappes said. “It teaches them confidence to get up in front of people. Fear of public speaking is one of the biggest fears in adults. And just the exposure to the performing arts at this age, it just gives them a spark. I'm not expecting perfection; but hope that this will be the start of a love of some form.
“Whether it's performing or working backstage, there are so many different avenues,” Mappes continued. “The best thing for me is when I see kids that have started performing young with me and, growing up, either they decided to do this in college or are performing still.”