As audience members take their seats, a little girl in a polka-dot raincoat steps into a tiny theatre. Cartoonish trees and bushes frame the quaint stage, appearing like pages lifted straight from a storybook. As an actor dressed in red and yellow appears onstage, the children become quiet, and the Hundred Acre Wood comes to life.
The University Theatre Guild, UT’s oldest theatre organization, brought the Hundred Acre Wood to the Forty Acres with their student-written production of “Winnie the Pooh,” this year’s children’s show. The lighthearted play follows Pooh Bear as he problem-solves to find honey, finding friends who join him along the way. To give back to the community, UTG brought their show to the Helping Hand Home, a non-profit organization that supports children who have experienced extreme trauma.
“We don’t sell tickets,” theatre education sophomore and co-director Masyn Caramello said. “We want to bring it to the children’s home and help kids experience the joy and the magic of live theater.”
The production highlights important themes for children to learn, including friendship and communal love. Government sophomore Vince Pham, who played Winnie the Pooh, said his character’s journey throughout the show reminds him of these themes.
“In each beat of the story, another friend gets there … and by the end, it’s a full collective community of Pooh and all his friends,” Pham said. “That’s something that’s very important to know for kids, … there are people here who can help you.”
“Winnie the Pooh” also served as an opportunity to introduce children to the arts. Emerson Welch, theatre education sophomore and co-director of the show, said the production reminded her of the influence she has on future artists.
“To be a small part of showing kids what theater looks like, … it’s a good way to inspire the new generation to continue theater,” Welch said. “It’s important.”
The kids’ show was fulfilling to the young audience and the actors, giving kids an early experience with theater while bringing joy to the Austin community.
“I think it’s both the philanthropy — we all love giving back to a good cause — as well as inspiring the youth to foster their love for theater,” said Joshua Wrobbel, a mechanical engineering senior and vice president of UTG.
The show reminded the actors of the creativity found in a child’s view of the world.
“(Kids) see the world so differently than we do,” Pham said. “Where we see a cardboard set, they see this whole world of possibilities, and that’s something that I find really special.”
Madison, 7, said she thoroughly enjoyed the show.
“Well, it was really funny, and it’s kind of fun when he didn’t get honey,” Madison said. The first grader also said she enjoyed the characters being together at the end of the show.
“Winnie the Pooh” brought audience members back to the love found in childhood, no matter their age.
“Winnie the Pooh is just a character who loves everybody and loves all his friends,” Welch said. “I think we all need a little bit more love in our life and in our world right now.”
