This year marks Lamar University’s 17th anniversary of performing at Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand holiday celebration, Dec. 6 – 7, 2008. In years past, the theatre troupe, dressed as Victorian-era ragamuffins, begged for coins from festival attendees, raising thousands of dollars in valuable scholarship funds. Because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike, this year the students will donate all of their proceeds to the Galveston Historical Foundation.
“We feel this is the least we can do to help our friends in Galveston recover from this disaster,” explains Kelly Draper, associate professor of theatre. Draper has directed the Lamar Puppet Theatre collaboration since its inception in 1991.
The performance started as a puppet show featuring a retelling of the birth of Jesus from the point of view of beggars. In the years since, the act has expanded to include a five-minute Romeo and Juliet, Battling Bums, and a Christmas rap.
“The great thing about this event is that it allows students the opportunity to interact with their audience,” Draper says. “They learn street performing and valuable improvisational skills. It teaches them to think on their feet.”
Actors in this year’s Dickens on the Strand cast include Travis Coombs of Nederland; Jared Fall, Orange; Nathan Foster, Groves; Chris Freeman, Houston; Jackie Gower, Orangefield; Kayla Harper, Liberty; Dee Dee Howell, Nederland; Melissa Maples, Vidor; Leslie Maza, Pasadena; David McFall, Houston; Sheri Moreau, Groves; Chris Murray, Beaumont; Justin O’Mara, Cumby; Kayla Robbins, Amarillo; Kyle Romero, Orange; and Jonathan Williams, Lumberton.
Dickens on the Strand is open to the public Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost of admission is $12 at the gate; $6 for children 7 – 12; children under 7 are admitted free. Participants in full Victorian costume are admitted for half-price at the gate. For more information, please call (409) 765-7834.
