Learning the ins and outs

Caleb’s an honest kid – he admitted that when he first got involved with Variety Children’s Theatre in 2009, he did it because he couldn’t say no to Variety Health Services Director Diane Gruszka.

But now, he can’t stay away. Last year, he made the move from assisting the acting coach to assisting the production director, and Caleb has truly learned the ins and outs of the theatre. “My favorite part is seeing it all come together,” said Caleb, age 14. “I didn’t know if I’d like it at first, but then I came and saw all of this amazing work that’s put into this.”

Variety Children’s Theatre wasn’t his first experience with a performance – he was in Greece at his school three years ago. But working backstage over the past few years, attending rehearsals, taking notes and shadowing Director Lara Teeter, has taken Caleb’s appreciation for the theatre to a whole new level. In fact, the high school freshman is auditioning for his high school’s winter show next week, and is planning on taking two theatre classes next semester.

Theatre isn’t Caleb’s only activity, however – he keeps busy! To prepare for a future career in sports reporting, Caleb writes for his high school newspaper, as well as the school publications website. He also helps coach the high school boys’ basketball teams, and plays basketball himself on the St. Louis Rolling Rams – a wheelchair basketball team. Caleb was born with cerebral palsy and uses either crutches or a manual wheelchair to get around.

Caleb is grateful for the knowledge he has gained from Lara and the rest of the Variety Children’s Theatre crew – and we’re so grateful he’s involved!