Hawaii hits the stage

Students bring a story to life

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) hosted its annual children’s play. 

The Art, Communication and Theater department (ACT) hosted a Hawaiian themed performance, “The Hidden Fortress” at Jones auditorium.

Director of the play, Kevinah Kaliia Botello, was one of two people introducing the play and encouraged the audience to interact with the actors.

Many families gathered after the show to meet the students who worked to make the play come to life.

“The thing that touched my heart, and  some of the actors also said this is that kids will come up to them and say ‘I want to be just like you’ and ‘I want to be on that stage.’ To me it touched my heart,” Botello said.

Not only was the play made to host an event for smaller generations but also to help teach children valuable lessons through the form of an art.

“Art is a big part of life and it can help the development of children and we hope to inspire children to join theater one day. Don’t be afraid just because other people are watching you can do anything you put your mind to,” Kambria Cannon actress of “The Hidden Fortress” said.

The community of Kingsville was invited for the event and encouraged to bring friends and family. 

After many years of having the children’s play in motion families continue to arrive and watch how it has grown over time.

“I used to come here when I was a kid for the spring play and I think there are a lot of people that can relate to that and have memories of coming here with their family,” Corrie Mosqueda attendee said. “ [People should] come and see the effort that these kids are putting into the plays and the time that it takes to learn the lines… because it’s not just what you see, it’s so much more.”