DANVILLE KIWANIS 

News release

On Thursday, June 27, Emma Parks Steberl visited Kiwanis Club of Danville to share about her start in and passion for the performing arts. 

She first got the acting bug at age 7, while seeing a community theater production that included her autistic brother in the cast. Emma then began acting at 8 years of age when she was cast in a community theatre production of the “Wizard of Oz” in Richmond. That performance began over 13 years of working in over 25 productions in greater Cincinnati, West Virginia and New York City, having trained and worked with top industry professionals.

And now, after feeling the call of God, she has brought her passion and knowledge back to Danville in creating Opening Act, a children’s performance group offering young people an opportunity to explore drama and musical theatre, which has quickly grown over the past years.  Emma recently directed and produced her first major musical as Opening Act presented “The Wizard of Oz” in two sold out performances at the Stuart Underwood Theatre at Lincoln County High School.

Beginning this fall, she will begin enrollment for classes, the schedule for which will resemble a school year calendar. And in the fall of 2020, she plans to produce a large musical performance, with details still to come.

Citing research statistics that show how improved academic and social achievement are reached through theater — and providing her testimony of what God has done in her life, and those she’s been able to touch through the performing arts — Emma passionately shared about why the arts are important, and how they have such a wonderful environment in our local region. 

Her goal is to reach children who otherwise might not be able to receive performing arts instruction and develop such skills that otherwise might not be brought to the forefront. She plans to teach empathy, acceptance, tolerance, understanding, teamwork, positive self-esteem, listening skills, public speaking skills, problem solving and critical thinking.

To learn more about Opening Act, contact Emma Steberl at showtimechick@aol.com, (859) 319-6821.

Are you interested in learning For more information about Kiwanis Club of Danville, contact Denise McElfresh Henderson at denise.henderson@utgins.com.