Every day, the cast and crew of Porthouse Theatre turn an empty auditorium into a joyful rehearsal.

Everyone attends to their roles, working on a prop, waiting for their cue or taking director’s notes. They work together resembling a gear — everybody with a place and a purpose, turning at just the right speed.

The Kent State summer professional theater has been putting on shows since its founding in 1968, and this summer, they are rounding out their season with Annie.

Drew Fitzgerald, a rising musical theater sophomore and the male swinger for Annie, said people who come can expect to leave the theater smiling and happy.

“Annie’s just such a special show to me,” Fitzgerald said. “I think there’s so much history behind it and we really put a new spin on it. It’s a classic story, and we keep it fresh.”

His counterpart, female adult swinger and rising musical theater KSU senior, Ariel Brinker, said the show is enhanced by the talented kids that are a part of it.

“They all came in day one off book,” Brinker said. “I think they really put our production over the top.”

One of these kids is 11-year-old Ava Kimble who plays both Annie and July.

She rehearsed her lines and music with gusto, then walked off the stage wearing a wide smile.

She recalls the day she found out about her role. She said the producing artistic director of Porthouse Theatre, Terri Kent, called.

“They gave me Annie, and I started crying. I was so happy,” Kimble said.

Although there are several children cast in this play, the adults have grown close to them.

Actor Danté J.L. Murray, who plays Oliver Warbucks, said that being a part of Porthouse Theatre at his age has been “life-changing.”

“The love for the craft, the love for the work that I’ve witnessed has really made a big difference in my life,” Murray said.

He shared that his first scene with Annie “opened up doors to explore.”

“It transcended culture, race, it’s just love. Togetherness. Community. Me being someone who’s always wanted to have a kid, have children, it hits me in a completely different spot,” Murray said.

He found that he had a built-in protectiveness of the kids.

“I didn’t know that that actually existed inside of me until I did my first scene,” he said.

Another adult in the play, actor, director and instructor at KSU, Rohn Thomas, said it has been a bonus to work with the children.

Rehearsals happen every day from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., but actor and composer Matt Gittins, who plays Rooster, said he loves the process.

“Theater is so much about collaboration,” Gittins said. “Getting to see all those puzzle pieces come together and realize that your circle gets even bigger … that’s where the real theater magic happens.”

Gittins said he has acted since he was 15, and takes a lot of pride in being able to say that he works at Porthouse Theatre.

Performances take place outside on the grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Annie will run from July 19 – August 4, and tickets can be purchased online or at the Porthouse Theatre Box Office.

Brinker said the show is going to be a good time.

“I’ve always loved theater that helps you escape from your own problems,” she said. “I think this show’s going to do that for a lot of people.”

Lauren Cohen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].