Weaving Artistic Web for Children

To bring theater and the arts to children in the community, Saddleback College has taken its show on the road: across the street to Mission Viejo Mall.

The new Saddleback Children’s Festival hopes to find an audience of youngsters eager to see storybook characters come alive on stage.

Jeff English, Saddleback’s director of performing arts, said, “Our main goal is to make sure all kids have access to arts. There is a real need for it in the community.”

At Thursday’s matinee performance of E.B. White’s children’s classic “Charlotte’s Web,” Wilber the Pig and his friends frolicked among parents and children who sat on colorful pillows to watch and interact with the performers.

The actors are from Saddleback as well as local high schools and middle schools.

Aliso Niguel High School junior Julie Martens, who is portraying Charlotte, has performed at the Children’s Festival several times.

“I love making children laugh,” said Martens, 16. “Instead of going to the movies . . . the kids get to actually meet the characters.”

The broad smiles on the children’s faces Thursday indicated that they enjoyed the show too.

“I liked the cows,” said 3-year-old Zachary Leetch.

Said Hannah Jarvis, also 3: “I liked the pig Wilber.”

Parents at Thursday’s show said the festival is one of a few local opportunities very young children to see live theater suitable for their age level.

“It’s great to expose them to plays,” said Katie Leetch, Zachary’s mother.

Saddleback officials said the children’s program, which started in June, offers youngsters of all ages an opportunity to see plays, puppet shows and storytellers four days a week.

Educating the audience and stimulating interest in the arts is a key purpose of the program, English said.

“I feel there are little Bachs and Beethovens whose potential will never be fully realized,” he said.

English said he is lining up the summer playlist and hopes to add more educational plays for older children.

The spring festival continues through Feb. 23. Information: (714) 364-2787.