Carol Grieser, the coordinator of the children’s convention, wanted them to do something they would never forget. At past conventions, Mennonite children have visited zoos and museums.

Grieser knew that for some of the children, this was their third time at convention. “I try not to do the same thing so they have a variety of experiences,” said Grieser.

It was definitely an afternoon the children will never forget. Grieser invited the Columbus Children’s Theatre to spend the day with them.

“He loved it,” said Kathy Smith, mother of a fourth grader, Therin. “He already told me that when we go home he’s going to act with his friend.”

In addition to enjoying snack time, Therin Smith said he liked the freedom of the acting. “We could do what we wanted on the set,” said Smith. “And I also really enjoyed the bus skit.”

After three hard hours of working on scene dynamics, movement, spacing and other acting techniques, the children performed their new acting skills for their parents at 4:30, right before they were picked up. One group of children, led by a Columbus Children’s Theatre teacher, Amy Little, performed a skit with a red velvet blanket.

The children stood in a line and sequentially used the blanket to represent something, while the parents shouted out guesses.

One girl put the blanket on the floor, laid on her stomach and began to do a rapid breast stroke. The blanket had become a swimming pool. For other children the blanket was a snake, backpack, horse, wall, ironing board and trampoline. Tyler Shull crawled under the blanket and made little squeaking noises—it had become a mouse.

Other performances from the children included scenes from Charlie Brown and creative skits about a library book.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Amy Mumbauer, parent of Sara. “The acting stretches them and lets them try new things.”

Sara added: “I think my favorite part was when we got to see all of the skits. That was fun.”

Fast Facts:

Founded in 1963

As a child Josh Rador from “How I Met Your Mother” attended classes

Mission statement: To inspire and enrich the lives of children and their families through live theatre and theatre education.

This summer the actors are performing “Sweeney Todd” and “Schoolhouse Rock LIVE, Jr.”