'Fiddler' proceeds boost charity, classes 'Fiddler' proceeds boost charity, classes (May 25, 2005)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

The two actors are supposed to be British professors arguing, but the scene's not quite right.

From the audience, drama teacher Naomi Kinsman gives some gentle coaching. "You're acting more like second-graders," she says.

This isn't an insult. After all, they are second-graders.

The actors give it another shot, and now the scenes roll more smoothly. There are fierce dragons, intrepid children, and even a pretty good English accent. Most of the dialogue is improvised, but it's strikingly articulate.

Before you know it, the wriggling energy of youth has been harnessed into a compelling tale, based on "The Deliverers of Their Country" by E. Nesbit.

That's the goal of Ms. Kinsman, artistic director of the Portola Valley Children's Theatre Conservatory, which is based at Valley Presbyterian Church at 945 Portola Road. In the group's classes, kids gain poise and confidence, and they also learn to tell a good story, she says.

Now the classes will have more resources to fuel that youthful energy -- about $15,000.

The Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory, of which the children's conservatory is a part, recently scored a hit: it put on a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" in April, selling out every performance.

With donations from the community covering expenses, the group was able to give away all proceeds from its ticket sales, which came to about $30,000, conservatory executive director Cheryl Goodman-Morris said. As planned, the group split the returns, giving half to the children's group and half to Peninsula Habitat for Humanity.

"Fiddler" was the conservatory's first production after a three-year hiatus.

The conservatory hopes to use the money to add more children's theater classes, which now include about 100 kids and teach skills such as improvisation, creating a character and building stage presence. Ms. Kinsman also hopes to bring drama lessons to Peninsula classrooms, she said.

As for the Habitat gift, it seems that the "Fiddler" spirit will live on. The conservatory's donation will go toward a $150,000 project to build a house for needy residents in Daly City, said Mary Boughton, executive director of Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. The home will be an "interfaith" house, with different religious organizations providing funding.

This October 29, the "Fiddler" cast will reunite to help build the house. And, Ms. Goodman-Morris said, "As a crowning point, our fiddler, Brendan Ozawa-Burns, will be up on the roof at one point, playing his violin part from 'Tradition.'"

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