The cast of Studio Vibe’s production of “Newsies” includes (front) Harper Dittemore, Bella Meyer and Agnes Siebels; and (back) Jimmy Stefonowicz, Anna Wurgler, Nathan Krogen, Lydia Leopold, Micah Linstad, Brooklyn Stefonowicz, Nova Gustofson and Wyatt Isane.
Studio Vibe
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Parents asked him for more – more opportunities for kids from kindergarten through fourth grade to get a taste of performance.
That’s the request that prompted Bryce Henrickson, a theater enthusiast who had run West Fargo School System’s Summer Arts Intensive for three years, to spin off his own program for students of every age. Now in its third summer, Studio Vibe Arts is getting ready to stage the season’s main-stage musical Aug. 11-14.
A cast of 32 young people spanning ages from elementary school to post-graduation have been spending their days at the TAK Music Venue in Dilworth. Directed by Henrickson, two choreographers and a music director, they are practicing their singing, dancing and stagecraft for “Newsies,” a musical based on the 1992 movie based on the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. From their costumes to the striking steampunk set, the show reflects both a polished approach and the burgeoning talents of its young cast.
“We branched out at parents’ request in 2022,” Henrickson says. “Existing theater opportunities were mostly for middle school and high school. They wanted us to go younger, and so that’s what we’ve done.”
Working with a broader age range came naturally to the Argyle, Minnesota, native, who has taught kindergarten in Fargo and West Fargo since graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2011. Since creating Studio Vibe, his productions have answered those moms’ and dads’ wishes: Four past Studio Vibe musicals – “Annie Junior,” “Shrek Junior,” Little Mermaid Junior” and “Moana Junior” — have been performed by girls and boys from kindergarten through eighth grade. Earlier in 2024, youngsters also presented “Willy Wonka Kids.” Actors in other productions have ranged from 8 to 21.
Younger performers are also featured in “Frozen Junior,” which wraps up its run tonight, July 25, at the TAK. The designation “junior” in the titles earmarks a version of the well-known shows that’s just 60 minutes long; when the designation is “kids,” the cast is on stage for only 30 minutes.
Next month, “Newsies” will conclude Studio Vibe’s first full season. In addition to the pair of summer shows, the schedule included “Addams Family – Young at Part” in October, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in December, “Willy Wonka Kids” in February and “Beauty and the Beast” in April.
In addition, Studio Vibe spent 20 days each in Horace and S.G. Reinertson Elementary Schools. Sponsored by their PTAC organizations, the residencies guide students from their very first exposure to a finished performance for parents and friends.
Studio Vibe’s approach is to welcome all who sign up, with or without prior experience. “When you sign up for a show, you’re in,” the director explains. “We do audition for the roles, but you’re going to be on that stage.”
With only a few years under its belt, the program has already developed its own enthusiastic veterans. The two leads in “Newsies” are both Vibe vets. Ona Naujokas has been with the program since its first production, “Annie Junior”; Lydia Leopold started in “James and the Giant Peach.” Kaden Dardis, who plays Olaf in “Frozen Junior,” also started at the inception of the program.
The young actors come from throughout the metro area – West Fargo, where it all started, but also Moorhead, Fargo, Kindred, Horace and Central Cass as well as several private schools. They’re involved weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting with an hour or more of singing, then dancing, an finally acting and blocking.
“Some already know a bit about theater. Others are just starting out, and learning from the others,” Bryce says. “Everybody benefits.”
Even though Studio Vibe is the youngest of the area’s youth theater programs, he sees no signs that the F-M area is oversupplied. “People do ask whether I think there’s too much competition. No. I think there’s more than enough room for all of us,” he asserts. “It’s art for everybody. I believe in doing as much as you can without burning yourself out. Opportunities to perform are what makes you better. The more times you’re on stage performing, the better.”
The only real problem, he notes, is that the summer calendar contains a finite number of possible dates. “Sometimes we have to kind of step on each other,” he concedes. That’s why “Newsies” is booked in mid-August. Vibe has those dates to itself … only days before school resumes. “The minute we strike our ‘Newsies’ set,” he says, “it’s time to go back to school.”
Performances of “Newsies” begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (Aug. 11-14), along with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday.. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for students. To reserve tickets online, go to https://takmusicvenue.ticketspice.com/newsies.
For more information on participating in Studio Vibe programs during the coming school year, search for “studiovibearts” on Instagram.
