PICKWICK PLAYERS COMMUNITY THEATRE HAS SANTEE TIES

By Rebecca J. Williamson

September 29, 2012 (Santee) -- Founded in 2006 the Pickwick Players Community Theater has some Santee ties: namely Cameron and Alisa Williams—who are also teachers at Carlton Oaks School in Santee.

Teachers by day, at night Cameron is an artistic director and Alisa is the group’s choreographer; you can throw in weekends and summer breaks as well to those nights.

Their artistic choices have included some plays that evoke chuckles just by seeing the titles---“Martinis ‘N’ Mistletoe” to “A Taffeta Christmas.” But they are not just going for the laughs---they have also staged “Oliver,” “The Crucible” plus others.

Where does character analysis come into play? Not therapy, but part of what they teach kids about the art of learning theatre. Add in stage terminology, historical relevance, and personal responsibility and Pickwick is educating future thespians--a mix of kids and some adults.

Not much of a stretch to see why Mr. Williams has also taught an elective class on Shakespeare at the K-8^th grade school. Theatre is one of his loves. The other is his co-worker and wife, Alisa, who has also acted in Pickwick Productions whose home is typically the Moxie Theatre in East San Diego. 

Williams’ next production will be “Once On This Island” to run October 4-13 at the C3 Performing Arts Complex in Mission Valley. East County kids will be performing in this song and dance number.

Education, either the 3Rs or theatre, must be in the Williams’ family genetic code.  As they say in the theatre for good luck – may they “break a leg.”