By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien

I recently had an amazing opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the new Hi-Liners DownStage Center production of Dinosaurs Before Dark. The show opens May 1stat the Renton Civic Theatre, and is directed by Artistic Director, Kathleen Edwards. The Hi-Liners organization formed in 1966 with the mission to preserve and advance the performing arts in the lives of the students in our community. They serve students in the Highline area from ages 3 to 22 with a full season of productions, classes, workshops and camps. The DownStage Center productions focus on providing a safe environment for self-discovery and talent development in school age children.

One of the most important things we as parents can instill within our children is empathy. I know I work on it with my children at home, and it’s also a huge reason why I take my kids to the theatre to experience live performances. Bill English of San Francisco Play House once posted on his blog that Theatre is an “empathy gym”. He went on to post“It’s tough to be compassionate in everyday life. We get cut off in traffic, get our purse snatched, get knocked down, our house broken into, our country is threatened. It’s tough to be empathetic. But from the darkness and anonymity of our seats, we are safe to risk entering into the lives of the characters on the other side of the proscenium. We feel what they feel, fear what they fear, love what they love, and hope for what they hope for. And along the way, with our one hundred hearts beating together in the dark, we realize that under the skin we are the same. And as we leave, we take that miraculous spirit of unity out into the world to make it better

”Dinosaurs Before Dark is a wonderful play and an opportunity for the whole family to head to the “empathy gym”. The play is based on the book Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne. The action of the show really begins when Jack and Annie’s magical tree house transports them to the land of the Dinosaurs. There are 49 children starring in this production and 20 kids, volunteers and parents helping out behind the scenes. Some of real “magic” happens before anyone even shows up for rehearsal. Kathleen Edwards the Artistic Director for the Hi-Liners and Stage Director for Dinosaurs Before Dark offered that there are two things that set the bar “high” for the Hi-Liners “First we
start with the idea that everyone walks through that door with a great attitude. When people show that they want to be here, that’s contagious, and then everyone does their best work, always. Second, we respect each other, everyone, always. It all comes down to effort and respect, that’s what makes this and all our productions so successful.

”One young actor, Josie, who’s 8 has already been in 5 shows. When I asked her why she liked working on the Hi-Liners shows she said “This is a place where I have plenty of chances to use my imagination, to learn about myself, and my character”. Another student, 14 year old Mackenzie, is working as a Production Assistant on this production and has been in 23 shows. “It’s really simple why I like being here” said Mackenzie “It’s fun!”

With such dedicated staff, board, and students, I was not surprised to be genuinely enamored with the staging, acting and focus these young people brought to the stage, and am certainly looking forward to opening night! Don’t miss your chance to see this show, fun for the whole family.

There’s also a “sneak peak” of the production at Barnes & Noble in Southcenter on Saturday April 25th form 11am-1pm where children (and parents) will have an opportunity to meet characters, listen to a Magic Tree House Story time, and participate in crafts and activities.

For more information on the Hi-Liners, programs and tickets to Dinosaurs Before Dark please visit www.hi-liners.org. -Andrea Reay is the Executive Director of Discover Burien. Discover Burien is a non-profit service organization dedicated to economic development and community engagement in Burien. For more information on local non-profits and events, as well as specials and discounts offered by member businesses please visit http://www.discoverburien.org/