Children's Straight Show

Meet the Team

Meet the team responsible for our new children's straight show!

Director

BEN WENTZELL

Ben Wentzell is going into his 10th year with Oakwood with excitement and determination. He has always loved theater, but this year, is undertaking a new role as director. Ben is determined to educate the cast members and learn more about what it means to be a leader in theater.

Assistant Director

KARA BEARDSLEY

Kara has been a part of Oakwood Summer Theatre both on and off stage since 2017, and is so excited to be joining the production team again this summer! She loves creating community through this beautiful art form, and she can’t wait to bring these incredibly fun shows to life! Soli Deo Gloria!

Stage Manager

JAY PRATER

Jay Prater is a sophomore at Salem Community College, working to get her degree in Musical Theater from Stockton University! Jay has been involved in theater since 2022 when they played Perch Perkins in Spongebob the Musical. The following year Jay played Regina George in Mean Girls and made their Oakwood debut as Dorothy in The Enchanted Bookshop. Some other shows Jay has been in involved in since then were Mamma Mia, Spongebob Jr., Madagascar, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Jay has been cast in just about every sort of role but is excited to begin the journey on the production crew this summer! Jay is thrilled to be the stage manager for Puss In Boots, as well as Into the Woods for Pennsville Summer Theater!

Producer

VICTORIA BUCKSAR

Victoria Bucksar is a dedicated educator and community leader with 22 years of experience in the classroom. Her passion for supporting her children’s interests eventually led her to Oakwood Summer Theatre, where she now serves as the Treasurer and the Producer for Children’s Shows.

Victoria’s commitment to service is a career-long theme; she has previously served as a PTO President, a Youth Ministry teacher, and a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels. When she isn’t managing theatrical productions or balancing the books, she treasures quality time with her friends and family. She also enjoys getting lost in a good book, taking walks with her dog, Murphy, and traveling with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Jack and Bryn.

What is a children's straight show?

The children's straight show is a play performed by kids for kids. A straight show is a piece of theater that is not a musical but relies on the spoken word to tell the story. This kind of play moves the story along through spoken dialogue, as opposed to song and dance. These two art forms are both considered plays, but are usually presented in completely different styles. Our children's straight show selection is always a show that is appropriate for children to be in and also watch. Children between the ages of 7-18 are welcome to audition to be in the show and kids and adults of all ages will enjoy our performances!

Requirements

There are only two requirements to be in Oakwood Summer Theatre's Children's Straight Show.

1. Your child must be between the ages of 7 and 18.

2. Your child comes in ready to learn, grow their performance skills and have fun! Your child will create a lifetime of memories and build lifelong friendships here at Oakwood Summer Theatre.

Your child does not need any prior theatre experience to be part of Oakwood Summer Theatre's children's show. You will learn all the basics you need. Here at Oakwood Summer Theatre, everyone who auditions gets a role and is included in the show and every role is important! Without an ensemble there is no show! We just ask for your commitment to the show. We hope you are as excited about the stage as we are!

Auditions

Visit our auditions page for audition information:

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be held in the Student Union, the foyer of Davidow Hall, or the auditorium of Davidow Hall at Salem Community College. Rehearsals run Monday-Thursday, there are no Friday rehearsals, from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

Cost

There is a small registration fee of $30 per child to be in the show. Each additional family member is only $15. Must be immediate family, siblings or parent/child, cousins do not count as immediate family.

Tickets to the performance cost $10 each.

Important Dates 2026:

PUSS IN BOOTS:

Auditions:

May 5 & 7, 2026

First Rehearsal: June 1, 2026

Rehearsals: Monday-Thursday 4:00-6:00pm

Show Dates:

Thursday, July 9

Friday, July 10

Saturday, July 11

AUDITIONS CHILDRENS STRAIGHT SHOW