Amanda Reimherr
Express-News Staff Writer

"I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, and I'm sittin' here on Capitol Hill," 11-year-old Travis Russell belted out to an audience who sang along with the famous "School House Rock" song.

William Luther/Express-News The Jr. Players Workshop performs 'School House Rock Live Jr.' on Nov. 12 at Northwood Presbyterian Church.

Russell is part of the Jr. Players Workshop, a children's theater group, which performed "School House Rock Live Jr." on Nov. 4-12 at Northwood Presbyterian Church, 518 Pike Place. Although this is only the group's second performance this season, it quickly is gaining recognition and performed to a sold-out crowd at each show.

Colorado Brown, 12, said he was excited about his solo in the show.

"I get to sing 'Conjunction Junction,' which is like the most popular 'School House Rock' song ever," he said as he flailed his arms in excitement.

The troupe performs many of the songs from the educational TV shorts made popular in the 1970s and 1980s that introduced children across America to grammar, multiplication and science through catchy tunes.

The troupe currently has children ages 5-14, but organizers would love to have youngsters up to 18.

The group is the brainchild of founder Jackie Shepherd. Shepherd has been a schoolteacher for 24 years, obtained her music certification in 1998, taught children's choir, is completing a master's degree in music education and plans to pursue a doctorate in music education.

"We only started in January 2005, and our first production only had 18 kids in it. The kids told all their friends and parents told other parents, so our second production has 31 kids," Shepherd said. "I am so glad to see more children get involved as time goes on. Kids have so much to say and so much to offer. Magical things happen when they have a chance to talk and feel comfortable."

Maddy Stokes, 9, said she loves being in the troupe.

"I have been acting since I was 2, and it's so much fun when you get to be someone who is not you," she said.

Shepherd was the musical director for the church's production of "Annie." She said she enjoyed working with the children so much, she asked the church theater group's board of directors if she could start a musical theater troupe just for children. After receiving the board's blessing and a $1,000 start-up check, the Jr. Players Workshop was born.

"This is a community children's theater group and we welcome kids from all churches and schools. They don't need to have any music or theater experience; they just need to come have fun and work with the rest of the group," Shepherd said as she smoothed her costume for the "School House Rock" performance.

Learning to work with a group is part of the mission of the troupe. Shepherd said she focuses on teaching children to work in an ensemble and take part in all aspects of the production. Each child must help sew costumes, paint sets and create props as well as learn their lines and choreography.

"There is so much competition for kids everywhere. They need to be a part of something that eliminates all of that competition, create a balance and give them an opportunity to learn to appreciate other kids' talents and strengths," the mother of five said. "This is not the type of group where kids come and audition for a certain role in a certain production. They get involved with everything, even the parents. This is a group family effort."

On Nov. 12, the night of the final performance of "School House Rock Live Jr.," all the children gathered backstage in their black costumes and brightly colored feather boas to have their hair and makeup done and go over last-minute preparations. Shepherd led the children in vocal warm-ups and offered a little pep talk. Some of the children were so upset about the final performance, parent volunteer make-up artists had to touch-up their tear-stained faces.

"Go out there and make them fall in love you, make them want to take you home and make them smile. And, oh yeah, 'go break a leg,'" Shepherd told the children as her parting words, quoting a traditional theater saying for good luck.

After a group hug, the children quietly composed themselves and then burst into song as they ran down the aisles toward the 1970's inspired set.

The black light and neon-colored performance of "Interplanet Janet" was most of the children's favorite part of the play.

"To see children with a big age difference become friends and when the little kids look up to the older ones just makes my heart melt," Shepherd said.

Seven-year-old Julieta Nelson said the performances make all the hard work worth it.

"It is so exciting when you are up on stage and all the lights are on you and everyone is looking at you. I love it," she said as she fixed her hair.

Auditions for the troupe's next production, "The Wizard of Oz," will be held in January. Shepherd said she plans to have the group perform some free shows of "The Wizard of Oz" for children in homeless shelters. To participate or for more information, call (210) 805-8792 or visit www.jrplayers.org.

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