By Jim Lawrenson, Educational Artist at Kidstock!
The fall session at Kidstock! is almost here. Every fall is the start of something magical, when possibility and imagination are wide open. We are so excited to welcome this season’s students, build stories and characters with them, watch their ideas come to life on stage, and see them grow as performers and people along the way.
This year, that excitement is even greater, because our youth theater ensemble, the KCT Company for Grades 4–9, is doing all original musicals inspired by classic fairytales. We’re bringing a fresh “Kidstock!” twist to three well-known stories: Rapunzel, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Rumpelstiltskin. All musicals will be written and choreographed by Kidstock! and shaped by our KCT actors.
Without a doubt, I am most excited to see our KCT actors take on Rumpelstiltskin this fall! Why? It’s so Kidstock!
What makes Kidstock! unique
At Kidstock!, theater isn’t just about memorizing lines. It’s about collaboration, curiosity, and creative expression. Our shows are platforms for students to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are.
Fairytales are perfect for this kind of creative work. They’re familiar enough that everyone knows the basics, but they leave plenty of room to be reinvented.
By starting with a foundation they know, students feel empowered to twist and reshape the story. In doing so, they learn not just how to perform, but how to think like artists—taking bold risks, exploring new perspectives, and building something truly their own.
So why Rumpelstiltskin?
Why am I so excited about our first fairy tale being Rumpelstiltskin? It’s not a story we have seen often in recent popular culture or theater which gives our students a lot of space to imagine and create.
And for me, the titular character is hilarious and gives us so many questions to explore. Rumpelstiltskin is this odd little magical being who strikes the most absurd, high-stakes deal imaginable, and then gives it all away by gleefully singing their own name. Who does that? What do they do when not making deals? Who are Rumpelstiltskin’s friends? Why would they let Rumpelstiltskin write that crazy song that does them in at the end? What are the other members of the Rumpelstiltskin family named?
Getting to put a new twist on the story might help us answer some of these burning questions and I can’t wait to see what our KCT actors create together for this year’s fall show.
How to join the KCT Fall Show
KCT shows are open to all actors in Grades 4-9. No auditions are required to join a KCT show cast, all skill levels are welcome. Casts meet once a week and each rehearsal is focused, fun, and led by a professional team dedicated to helping students shine.
Rehearsals for our fall production start September 20 and show dates are November 15 and 16. Check out cast options, rehearsal dates, and details for our original fall show, “Spinning Out: An Original Rumpelstiltskin Musical”
Being in a show is just like being on any other kind of team – every person does their part to support each other and there’s no greater feeling than truly sharing an accomplishment when we reach the end. Learn more about our KCT company and productions.
About the Author
Jim Lawrenson, Educational Artist at Kidstock! Creative Theater
Jim Lawrenson is an actor, producer and writer from Wilmington, MA. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Jim has performed Off-Broadway and across the globe since 2017, as well as working as a producer with the Scranton Shakespeare Festival in Pennsylvania and local theaters in New York.
