Accustomed to the Broadway stage, professional actors performing at the California Musical Theatre spent time on the hardwood floor of the Leo A. Palmiter Jr-Sr High School gymnasium to educate and entertain hundreds of Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) students during presentations on November 7.
Several members from the cast of "The Color Purple" spoke about the history of the show, sang musical numbers, and held a question and answer session with the students from court and community school programs operated by the SCOE.
Cast members meeting students included Felicia P. Fields, Angela Robinson, Stu James, and Rufus Bonds, Jr. The professional theatre performers told the students that no matter what careers they choose to pursue that they will have to work hard to achieve their goals.
"Anything in life that is worthwhile is going to be hard work," actor Stu James told the assembled students. "You've got to be ready for that opportunity because when that opportunity comes you have to be prepared."
"Training is extremely important. It is very important to know your craft and to have a certain level of respect for it," said actor Angela Robinson.
From the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, "The Color Purple" is a musical and an inspiring family saga that tells the story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity.
The California Musical Theatre made 30 tickets available to SCOE students to allow them to attend a performance.
"This was a great opportunity for our students to not only see quality theatre but also learn the history behind a show that is considered by many to be a classic," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "We are grateful that professional actors performing for the California Musical Theatre were willing to offer their time to our students."