Posted: 7/2/03

YPA show runs July 9-13

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The talented cast and crew of Youth Performing Arts is working to bring another musical production to the community.

ìChildren of Eden,î a musical which tells the stories of the first eight chapters of Genesis, begins a five day run next week at Forest Hills United Methodist Church.

Directed by Susan Novak, the showís premis is we are one generation, all descendants of Adam and Eve.

ìThis piece is about more than the first 8 chapters of Genesis,î Novak said.

ìIt talks about generations, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, fathers and sons,î she said. ìWe all go through a time whenóthat spark of creationóyou canít just listen to reason, canít listen to our parents. Itís almost like they have to learn lessons on their own.î

Novak said the audience will appreciate and be able to relate to the story.

ìWe can always start anew. Itís about parental relationships. We have the chance to make the peace and weíre the only ones who can do it,î Novak said.

Kathy Bystrom, an adult volunteer with YPA, agreed.

ìWeíre never not so far gone that we canít look to our young people to make it better,î Bystrom said.

Looking to the group of 60 youth practicing this production, Novak said she has high hopes for the future.

ìIt truly alway is in the hands of the next generation,î Novak said. ìIt gives me great hope that this group of kids is part of the next generation. There is so much good in the world,î

History

YPA was started in the summer of 1999 at Forest Hills United Methodist Church. It was a group of 16 youthómostly friends of the Novakís children. In 1999 the Christmas show drew 29 performers. In 2000, that number doubled. Shortly thereafter, the numbers doubled again.

YPA is a faith-based, cross-denominational youth performance group comprised of youth from seventh grade to college students.

The youth hail from 13 area churches from Forest Lake, Marine on St. Croix, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Wyoming, Stacy, Lexington, Hugo and Chisago City.

In addition to summer performances, YPAís holiday show has become an annual tradition.

YPA also have performed the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program to area students.

Leadership

In addition to more performers, YPA has grown in terms of adult leadership.

A handful of adults help to bring the shows to life. In addition to Novak, Maurya Laqua serves as musical director. Roxanne Johnson is assistant director. Jo Lee and Steve and Lynn Ruter serve as production assistants. Lori Brink is set designer. DaíTonio Graves is choreographer.

Other adults on the board and who pitch in for various needs include Kathy Bystrom, Ron Bystrom, Bruce Bollinger and Sue Nicklason. Other parents pitch in as needed. YPA members Kesiah Kolbow and Matt Haider are youth board members. Vanessa Novak and Jessica Johnson, original members of YPA who attend college have stepped into the roles of mentors for the cast. While Novak and Johnson still perform, they now have more of a leadership role.

To see the show

Admission to ìChildren of Eden is Free.î Call 651-433-3085 for reservations. A free will offering will be taken at each performance.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. July 9-11 and 2 p.m. and 7 p. m. July 12-13. Forest Hills United Methodist Church is located on TH-97, just east of US-61.

Website

YPA now has a website. For more information on the youth group, ticket information and show times, visit www.youthperformingarts.org on the World Wide Web.

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