Valley Youth Theatre is a safe place where young people from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow as individuals, performers, and leaders through a transformational performing arts experience, with a mission to inspire young people to be the best they can be through a wide variety of performing arts opportunities. For more information visit vyt.com
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00 Okay, the Oscars were this past weekend and the talk around the valley is Emma Stone.
00:06 And before Emma made it to the big screen, she was gracing the stage at Valley Theatre
00:10 and she credited one man who's made her dreams come true and that is Mr. Bob Cooper, who's
00:16 joining me today to talk about, of course, the importance of youth theatre in this community.
00:21 And I know we talk about Emma Stone, we talk about Chelsea Stobbs, we talk about, who else
00:28 was there?
00:29 Camille Glenn.
00:30 Camille Glenn.
00:31 Nick Cartel, who's touring the country as Jean Valjean in Les Mis.
00:35 Charity Dawson, who's on Broadway in, I'm trying to think, she's in a new show.
00:41 I know, we're thinking there.
00:42 Juliet.
00:43 But also we have to think about the Valley Theatre of helping other kids who may have
00:46 not gone into acting.
00:48 We have lawyers, we have police officers, we have community leaders.
00:51 Rocket scientists.
00:52 Rocket scientists, everything like that.
00:53 So we know that parents this past weekend, even kids, were watching the Oscars and going,
00:57 "I want to get in the theatre, I want to be an actress, I want to be an actor."
01:01 But it all starts at the youth theatre.
01:05 And that's so important.
01:06 That's what you've brought to this community, haven't you?
01:07 Well, thank you.
01:09 I'm happy to have been a part of something truly wonderful for the past nearly 28 years.
01:15 And what Valley Theatre does is provides an opportunity for young people, no matter what
01:20 they want to go on to do in life, it provides them an opportunity, a safe place where they
01:25 can dare to dream, where they can take risks, where they can learn to be themselves and
01:31 to be held accountable, learn about responsibility, work as a team.
01:36 And no matter what they go on in life to do, those valuable tools are in their toolkit
01:41 to help them.
01:42 And I've been there a while, and it's been fun to see the list go up.
01:48 Professors at ASU to literally, her name was Heather Duckworth, she was with Valley Theatre,
01:54 she went to college, she was a Rockette on Broadway for a short period of time, and now
01:58 she is literally a Rocket scientist on the NASA crew that sent the vehicle to Mars.
02:04 Wow, that's amazing that we're seeing all this go on, and it's all from, of course,
02:09 stepping on that stage helps people.
02:12 As we mentioned, people were talking about the Oscars, Emma Stone, who's won before,
02:17 which is amazing, been nominated quite a bit.
02:20 But what I love is that she gave you credit.
02:22 How was that when she gives you credit for all her work?
02:26 Still, will probably be one of the biggest highlights of my life.
02:30 I didn't expect it, it was such a kind thing to do, but her whole journey to that Oscar,
02:37 she shared a lot about her time at Valley Theatre, which was so wonderful, which helped
02:43 to bring attention to a really incredible organization.
02:46 And we did nothing for Emily other than give her a great place where she could just spread
02:51 her wings and fly.
02:52 Okay, as we get ready for a new season, you say, actually, it's time for people to think
02:57 about auditioning to the theatre.
02:59 And so what's some tips do you give parents and kids that are looking to get into the
03:03 theatre?
03:04 Well, I would suggest, you know, if they really want to get into theatre, take dance classes,
03:08 take private voice lessons if you can.
03:10 We have a lot of classes.
03:12 You don't have to be in a class at Valley Theatre to audition for a show, but even professional
03:17 actors are always working on their craft.
03:19 Your body, your voice is your instrument, and you need to keep it in shape.
03:22 And so those are the key things that you need to do.
03:24 When you go to an audition, be prepared.
03:27 You know, know your music.
03:30 Often you'll be given sides.
03:31 Spend your time wisely learning those words on that page.
03:34 Take those risks.
03:36 Be different than everybody else.
03:38 Try something special.
03:39 I like it.
03:40 And I want to say, as a parent of kids that have done Valley Theatre and now off and doing
03:44 their career in the business, don't push them.
03:47 Let them find their way.
03:49 I think that we have a lot of stage mom and stage dads that want them to be that big star,
03:53 but if you let them find their way, especially at the theatre, they will thrive.
03:56 And I think that's what's great for my kids.
03:57 I'm not just dropping them off.
03:58 I participate and did things, but I didn't push them, push them, push them.
04:02 And that's one thing you recommend, don't you?
04:04 Absolutely.
04:05 Really, be supportive, but don't push.
04:08 You know, if your child wants to do something, you know, I think as parents, and I'm a parent,
04:13 my daughter's 33, but as parents, you want the best for your child.
04:18 But not always what you want is always what's best for your child.
04:21 You gotta listen to them.
04:23 And if it's good, if it's wholesome, if it's gonna be something that will help project
04:27 great things in their life, then be behind it, but don't push.
04:30 There it is.
04:31 Well, again, another day after the Oscars, and everyone's looking to get in the theatre,
04:35 so what you want to do is head over to Valley Theatre's website right there on the screen,
04:39 or over on azdailymix.com and get involved.
04:43 Even if you're not in the theatre, you can support it, which is very important.
04:47 So, Bob, thanks for stopping by.
04:48 Yeah, thank you.
04:49 Stick around, we've got more of The Mix after this.
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