May 22, 2025
On April 3, Trine University Theatre offered a free matinee of “The Somewhat True
Tale of Robin Hood” to local elementary school groups, homeschool students (grades
K-5) and Easterseals members.
The comedic play drew an audience of nearly 600 to the Ryan Concert Hall in the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts for that performance.
“I have always wanted to fill the T. Furth Center with elementary students. They create an unforgettable atmosphere,” said Jennifer LaRose, executive director of camps, conferences and events at Trine University.
The university also provided free lunch and a tour of the Mark and Sarah Music/Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena to several of the visiting school groups.
The magic of theatre
The matinee was, for many students, their first introduction to the magic of theatre.
“Live theatre brings magic into our lives more than anything else,” shared Lou Ann Homan, Trine Theatre director. “Live theatre, where anything can happen and will happen, brings a shared experience to the audience.”
“We wanted them to have the experience,” said Tammi Steffel, a fourth-grade teacher at Hendry Park Elementary School who brought her class to campus for the free event. “It’s great when we can give them a free, fun day of something that they may not ever get to do.”
“I think sharing theatre with children allows them to think creatively and develop their own sense of humor, opinions and ideas,” Evyenia Butterfield, a cast member and sophomore at Trine, commented. “I remember when I was younger that whenever I watched a movie or another form of media, I was always thinking about it and would incorporate it into my playing. But when I saw a live performance, it gave me a new sense of imagination.”
The magic of this experience was a two-way street between the audience and the cast. The children experienced the art of live theatre, and the cast of Trine students experienced the energy of hundreds of children laughing, cheering, booing and hissing at their performance.
“Kids are some of the most genuine audience members — they laugh louder, react bigger and are totally unfiltered. That kind of response teaches actors how to read a room, adapt their performance and stay present,” LaRose affirmed. “When a group of college actors and a room full of elementary kids connect through story, it’s unforgettable. Both leave the theater changed — kids inspired, actors empowered!”
The cast members agreed that the full house of children left a profound impact on their experience with Trine Theatre.
“They were an amazing audience,” said Olivia Geringer-Spagnola, a cast member and freshman at Trine. “Hearing the kids laugh and engage with the show was one of the best feelings ever.”
Planting the seed in young minds of college being an option
Trine University is a major community partner in Angola, Indiana, and other nearby towns, but not everyone has had the opportunity to visit campus or attend an event. For many of these students, this experience was their first time visiting campus.
“Having our local schoolchildren on campus reinforces Trine’s role as a community resource and shows our commitment to outreach. Just being on a college campus can help kids feel more confident and curious. It plants the idea that college is an option for them and they might start to see themselves as a future college student,” LaRose shared. “My hope is that this is a first step in a longer relationship with these younger students — summer programs, attending athletic events, or eventual enrollment down the line.”
Several teacher and parent chaperones agreed that visiting a university dedicated to community involvement left an impact on the students.
“I love that they're a community partner, and that they are reaching out to our kids to give them these experiences. Going to the esports arena, they were so excited,” Steffel said, “and then now for them to see this. There’s the artistic aspect, then the beauty, and realizing that there are other things to be offered for them in our small town. It opens their eyes a little bit to what things are available to them here.”
According to Steffel, after touring the esports arena and eating in the Whitney Commons Café, her students excitedly stated, “ ‘Oh my gosh, I’m gonna go here,’ ‘Oh my gosh, this lunch wasn’t good – it was great. I’m gonna come here so I can have this food,’ ‘I’m gonna come here so I can play video games.’ ”
Taylor Kerner, a parent chaperone for Hamilton Community Schools and a local business manager in Angola, agreed with the sentiment.
“We love everything Trine does. I think they're such a great asset to our community. And this, getting the younger kids involved, getting them here, has a lasting impression on them. They'll be like, ‘Oh, I went there when I was little!’ when they get older,” Kerner shared. “We love supporting them. And Lou Ann has done great with this. She's awesome.”
Community events may be inaccessible for some families due to cost, but Trine makes dedicated efforts to provide free fun and educational opportunities for community members. Trine Theatre hosted a free theatre workshop for nearly 60 local students in 2024 and again in 2025. The free matinee, however, was the first of its kind for Trine Theatre.
“Trine has been gracious to let us eat lunch today and then come do this. It’s been super fun, and I think it’s something they definitely would want to do again,” Kerner said.
Steffel agreed, stating, “Just a big thank you to Trine. They gave us a grant and gave all of our fourth graders free lunch, which could have been cost-prohibitive for many.”
Theatre promotes creativity, opportunity
The matinee performance and campus visit required many hands on deck to pull off smoothly, and that was accomplished largely due to LaRose’s and Homan’s organization and community outreach. Both leaders shared similar goals for what they hoped the children took with them from the experience.
“I hope they felt the wonder of storytelling brought to life — seeing actors, sets, costumes, and music working together in real time. It’s often their first exposure to live theater, and it can be truly enchanting! Even just being in a campus theater space helps them associate college with creativity, excitement and possibility — not just academics,” LaRose enthused. “Hopefully, it sparks their own desire to create, whether it’s acting, dancing or designing!”
Homan shared similar sentiments about the impact events like these have on young students.
“It was hoped that some of the students would return with their families to one of the night performances. That did happen. I also hoped it would encourage students to look at theatre as an art form,” Homan said. “Most importantly, I hope they had a wonderful time. I hope they learned about audience participation, when to clap, when to be quiet and how to applaud as an audience. I wanted them all to fall in love with Robin Hood, and they did.”
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