Kids run the show in this lively, offbeat, 30-minute interview program about community arts. The show is hosted by a team of six talented elementary and middle school students.
Using kids as hosts ensures that the show maintains its child-like curiosity. The young hosts don’t just interview guests; their interaction with people makes the show fun and appealing to audiences.
In addition to their on-air duties, the hosts participate in developing the program by creating their own introductions and questions, as well as brainstorming ideas for upcoming shows.
The current (2009 season) SMarts hosts include:
· Kal Bowers, a seventh grader at Old Trail Elementary School in Bath, has performed in a variety of roles from a Weathervane Playhouse production of “Three Little Pigs,” and a school play of “The Nutcracker.”
· Sarah DiFiore, a seventh grader at Chagrin Falls Middle School, is an ardent theatre enthusiast, playing lead characters such as Beaky in “Honk,” Sandy in “Grease” and Alice in “Alice in Wonderland.”
· Amber Hussain, a seventh grader at Lee Burneson Middle School in Westlake, was selected to participate in special A.C.T. acting workshops, and also likes to sing, dance and paint.
· Lauren Lang, an eighth grader from Chagrin Falls Middle School, has acted in plays at the Chagrin Falls Little Theatre for eight years, and also enjoys singing in the school choir.
· Alivia Lee, a sixth grader from Notre Dame Elementary School in Concord, has played the lead in many plays, including Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” Tiger Lily in “Peter Pan” and Aladdin in “Aladdin.” She studies voice, art and a variety of dances like hip hop, ballet and tap.
· Callie Sullivan, an eighth grader at Learwood Middle School in Avon Lake, filmed a movie pilot titled “Distorted Reality,” and has performed in a Fairmount Performing Arts School production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Other appearances include “A Christmas Carol” at the Cleveland Playhouse and a spot on Nickelodeon News. New episodes air each month.