The Theater Department is putting the finishing touches on its fall children’s play, “Reasons to be Cheerful,” which will perform for the public Nov. 19.

Written by Judith Martin from the “Paper Bag Players” workshop in New York City, the play is intended for kindergarten through third graders, and the simple kid-art sets fit the genre. Many of the sets and props are constructed out of cardboard painted brightly to look like houses, people, hats,and even a “bean stand.” The play contains 15 short skits each with its own topic and charm. Some of these skits encourage individuality, singing, creativity, imagination and several other topics to stimulate young minds.

“This show is a little different from our other children’s productions in that it utilizes a number of cardboard cut-outs and large refrigerator boxes used in imaginative and unusual ways,” said Rick Zimmer, director of the Theater Arts Department. He picked this play because of its originality and relevance to this age group. “We can all remember playing in empty boxes that became forts, mansions, hideouts, etc. This play captures that imagination and play that children are so good at producing on their own,” he said.

Working on a children’s play has similarities and differences to other types of theater for the actors. Jeffrey Watson is a theater major at MHCC and performs in several different roles including a bean salesman and the feet underneath a giant muslin bag walking across stage to “go see the play.” “I enjoy making everything over the top,” he said. “These characters are larger than life.”

Audience members are destined to see dancing beans with an inclination toward jumping out of the cooking pot, or people whose giant hats reveal their real faces and personalities, more so in children’s productions than in regular drama. Technically, it’s not that different. Spotlights and music cues must be taken into consideration. However, the actors have a lighter memorization load. The play was originally written for four actors to perform all 15 short skits. However, the play contains 12 actors, and the roles are relatively evenly delegated, giving everyone equal stage time. Because of this, no one has the main role or carries all the weight of the production, Watson explained. For him, audience participation makes being on stage much more fun, and kids are an honest, active audience. Zimmer says, “There is nothing like 500 laughing grade school kids all enjoying the magic of theater for 60 minutes.”

Tickets are available for the Saturday, Nov. 19, performance at 2 p.m. They can be purchased for $2 at the box office the day of the show. For questions, the theater department can be reached at 503-491-6969.