Bennington Library’s Summer Reading Program Brings Stories to Life With Bennington Community Theatre

3–5 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A group of children and adults dressed in costume are joyfully dancing together indoors. Some participants wear whimsical outfits, including a character in white and others in colorful attire. The setting includes an American flag in the background and a vibrant carpet design.

The Bennington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program continued Wednesday morning with a special appearance from the Bennington Community Theatre, giving local kids and families a chance to get up close with cast members from the theater’s recent production of The Addams Family Young@Part.

The event was part of the library’s summer reading theme, Unearth a Story, which encourages participants to discover stories through a variety of formats and experiences.

The program drew a large crowd of kids and adults eager to see characters from the show. Cast members kicked off the morning by performing the opening scene from the musical to the song “When You’re an Addams,” bringing the beloved Addams Family characters back to life just days after the production closed.

A person with long, wavy white hair wearing a white corset and flowy skirt strikes a playful pose, raising one hand to their forehead. The outfit includes a garter and is complemented by sheer white stockings.

Following the performance, cast member Katherine Sukraw (pictured above) invited the kids in attendance to learn the choreography from the number. After several practice runs, dozens of kids joined the performers at the front of the room to dance and sing along. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session and photo opportunities with the cast. One of the biggest hits of the morning was Grandma Addams’ (played by Julian Kruse, pictured below) pet rat puppet, which quickly became a favorite among the young audience members.

A group of children gathered around an adult, who is holding a small animal. The children are eagerly reaching out to pet the animal while sitting on a colorful rug.

For Bennington Community Theatre Director Stephanie Olson, the event offered a unique opportunity to connect with the community in a more personal setting. “I think it gives us opportunities to answer some of those intimate questions that people might have that wouldn’t be able to ask the entire group,” Olson said. “But I also think it shows a different side of the theater.”

Olson (seen below introducing Cousin Itt) said the theater enjoys working with younger audiences and introducing children to the magic of live performance. “We love working with Littles, and they are so much fun, and I think it’s really important for them to be up close to the amazing characters and people that look bigger than life to them,” she said.

A woman stands next to a tall, costumed figure resembling a shaggy orange creature, both smiling. The woman holds a paper and wears a black shirt. The backdrop features a digital screen.

The appearance marked the community theater’s first partnership with the library for a summer reading program presentation. Olson said the organization would gladly participate again in the future. “We were really excited when we were asked to do this, and it was so much fun,” Olson said. “We are open to doing it over and over again!”

Youth Services Librarian Johnna Ware (pictured below) said the library intentionally seeks out local organizations to participate in the annual summer series. “We are always looking for Bennington local community organizations to come in,” Ware said. “Not just for us to have presenters, but to offer the community free events and connect them with local community organizations they might not know about.”

A smiling woman in a gray t-shirt with the text 'UNEARTH A STORY' is engaging with a group of children and adults during an interactive event. She is standing in the foreground, arms outstretched, while others look on enthusiastically.

Ware said the theater was one of the first groups contacted when planning this year’s lineup. The timing worked perfectly, allowing cast members to visit immediately after closing weekend for The Addams Family Young@Part.

Beyond providing entertainment, Ware said the program helps make the arts accessible to everyone in the community. “We love that the community can go and see the shows and pay to support, but we also recognize not everybody can monetarily support,” Ware said. “So it’s really important to us that the community is still able to access the arts and access those community organizations without paying at all.”

The partnership was made possible thanks to the theater’s willingness to participate at no cost. Ware added, “They get exposure, the community gets to see them, we get a presenter. It’s just a fantastic opportunity.”

Ware also noted that the theater presentation fit naturally within this year’s Unearth a Story theme. “We are happy to help people unearth a story in many different modes,” she said. “Whether that’s through theater, through art, or we had a ‘History of Bennington’ program. We have a genealogy program coming up in a couple weeks. So we are trying to give people as many different types and modes of stories as they can possibly access this summer.”

A group of children performing a play in costumes, featuring characters from a story. The scene includes various characters like a witch, a ghost, and a creature with an orange shaggy costume. The audience, consisting of young children, is seated in front, watching the performance.

The weekly fun will continue this week on Wednesday, June 17, when the Omaha Astronomical Society visits the library to share information about outer space, black holes, and the scale of the universe. Participants will also have the opportunity to safely observe the sun through specialized solar telescopes.

According to Ware, the astronomy presentation serves as a preview for the organization’s annual Star Party, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at Flanagan Lake. During the event, volunteers from the Omaha Astronomical Society will bring numerous high-powered telescopes and help community members explore the night sky.

With several presenters still scheduled throughout the summer, the library’s Unearth a Story series continues to offer families unique opportunities to learn, connect, and discover stories in new ways.

An engaged speaker in a black t-shirt is addressing an audience while standing next to a young man in a tuxedo with glasses. A person with white hair is visible in the foreground.
A group of children dressed in costumes stand together, with one girl in a black dress and braids looking serious. An adult woman in a black t-shirt talks to the group, and a character in a straw-like costume stands beside her.
A person in a creative costume with long gray hair squats and holds a stuffed toy, surrounded by others in various outfits, in a friendly gathering.
A group of children and adults performing a theatrical scene in a classroom, with one adult reading from a script, while various characters, including a person in a fringed costume, stand in front of an audience of children sitting on a colorful rug.
A dramatic scene featuring two young actors in a classroom setting. One actor is dressed in a black dress with braids, while the other wears a striped shirt and glasses. A third actor is crouching in the background, partially obscured.
A group of five individuals dressed in elaborate costumes gathered in a room. The person on the left wears a tuxedo, while the others wear white dresses, some with long hair or wigs, striking poses.
A group of four performers in costumes posing in front of an American flag, with two holding props. One performer wears a white outfit, while another features a vintage dress. A third performer appears in a sweater and holds a prop resembling a rat, with a character showing a playful expression.
A group of six performers in theatrical costumes, including a girl in a yellow dress and several in white outfits, are acting on stage in front of an audience of children. The backdrop features an American flag and a large screen.
A performance scene featuring several actors in costumes, with a focus on a woman in a yellow dress leading the group. The actors display various poses, as a group of children watches them attentively.
Two performers in costume, one wearing a pirate hat and eye patch, and the other with curly hair in a white dress, both striking dramatic poses.
A girl in a yellow dress performs on stage with confidence, surrounded by other performers in historical costumes.
Two performers in a classroom setting striking playful poses, one in a fringed white outfit and the other in a striped skirt and white blouse, with an American flag in the background.
A lively children's event with kids and adults in an indoor space. Children are participating and interacting, some in costumes. A performer in a white dress engages with the audience on a colorful carpet. Several adults watch from seated positions.
A group of children participating in a story-time event, with some standing and actively engaging on a colorful carpet while adults watch from the background.
Two children, a boy and a girl, standing with their arms crossed in a seated audience during an event. Other attendees, including adults, are visible in the background.
A group of children and adults participating in a playful activity, with some wearing costumes. The children are dancing and having fun in a conference room setting.
A group of children and performers in costumes participating in a theatrical performance inside a bright, cheerful room, with colorful carpeting and a screen in the background.
A group of children interacting with a character dressed in a white costume, while adults observe. The scene includes a U.S. flag in the background.
Two young girls participating in an activity, clapping their hands, while other children and adults observe in a bright, colorful room.
A group of young children participating in an interactive activity on a colorful rug, with attentive adults in the background.

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