Traditional American music will be the focus of this month’s annual Children’s Musical Theatre at the Performing Arts Centre.

Cheryl Treese, who’s been directing the program for about 10 years, calls it “a good old-fashioned all-American musical.” The program runs June 7 through 23, with one-hour performances scheduled at the centre on June 22 and 23, beginning at 7 p.m.

Right now she’s gathering the participants and holding rehearsals Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon.

The group is limited to about 25 and spaces are still available, according to Treese.

“There is no need to call ahead,” she said, “just show up.”

“It will feature the songs our grandparents and our parents loved to sing,” she said.

Treese is using a book – “A History of American Music”-

with 200 ballads, spirituals, folk and show tunes. “We want to show the children how all the music we sing originally came out of the faith community. It is faith-based.”

The program is for children and youth, “potty trained and up,” Treese said.

The purpose-aside from allowing children and youth to enjoy their singing together – is to teach them to do a show, said Treese, who’s been involved in some form of community theatre in Selma for four decades. Aside from the Children’s Musical Theatre program, she’s currently involved in the stage group “Encore!”, some of whose participants are now helping out in the children’s program.

“The children will do almost everything,” she said, “including lighting, costumes, set, stage direction, choreography, publicity poster and other tasks necessary in the theatre itself.”

Associated with Treese in the program is Ruth McCune, general manager and assistant director, and Mary Carter Simmons, a rising eighth-grader at Morgan Academy. Simmons has been involved with the program for seven years and is an actress, singer and dancer. She and other young people assisting receive credit for community service hours required for graduation at most schools.