There I sat in the far back row of a dark theater house. The energy flowing through the hall quite papable and filling me with much anticipation. As the curtain opened and the stage lights danced on the colorful sets, a group of talented young actors took to the stage with the fervor of seasoned professionals! I was immersed in what can only be described as a kind of a movement, a revolution if you will of a new and highly polished children’s musical theater.
It was only the third day of a ten day technical rehearsal with cast and crew, and after the first several musical numbers and scenes, he spoke from the darkness with such a commanding presence that I knew he had to be the director of the show, Trevor Weaver.
I had heard many wonderful compliments of Trevor Weaver’s work in Children’s Theater, but I never realized the level of professionalism he was able to obtain from so many students who varied in age from 6 – 17 years old.
Trevor began his own career at the ripe old age of six months old on the hit 1960’s television series, Adam 12. He later would go on to work in many popular TV shows and commercials, including Eight Is Enough, Little House on The Praire, Kid’s Incorporated, and 21 Jump Street.
Trevor left his lucrative career in Hollywood to live in the Bay Area in 1997 and it is here that he formed his acting school, Kids Take The Stage. By the time he and I had the pleasure of meeting, he had produced some one hundred productions in Alameda, San Ramon, and Fremont and worked with over 5000 students. It was immediately apparent to me why he had managed to create such a worthwhile organization and empower so many Bay Area children.
Sadly, in 2010 the company that Trevor had put his life long work into for over a decade was forced to shut down days before a big summer show opening. It was one of the most heart wrenching decisions of Trevor’s otherwise illustrious career and one he was pained to have had to make.
Giving the negative press over the company’s closure, Trevor granted only one journalist the opportunity to interview him and I was honored when he shared these words with me. “No one will ever understand the immense pain, sadness and difficulty it has been to close a show days prior to opening with so many young actors crushed not to be able to perform. I tried so hard to keep the doors open with donations from my own pocket. The problems were too deep and came upon us too fast for anything else to be done, but close our doors. I thank all of the wonderful parents, students, and crew I have worked with over the last two decades and I pray for nothing but wonderful things for your futures!”
After some time off to soul search, Trevor is now doing back doing what he does best, which is write and direct. He is currently the Managing Director of the company, Play and Profundity and continues to be a guiding light to a new set of kids and adults alike.
This journalist thanks you for all you gave to the Bay Area children’s theater scene and we will miss you more than you will ever know.