• By Natalie Hampton
• Posted Monday, August 24, 2009

Forsyth 4-H’ers Perform with 4-H Troupe

Four Forsyth County 4-H’ers were among the members of the N.C. 4-H Performing Arts Troupe (4-H PAT), a theatre group of teens ages 12-19 who performed recently at State 4-H Congress held in Raleigh. The troupe presented, “We are 4-H: The Musical,” a play depicting 100 years of 4-H in North Carolina.

The four troupe members are: Seth Barrick, 16, son of Michael and Melinda Barrick of Winston-Salem; Hosanna Gourley, 15, and Josiah Gourley, 13, daughter and son of Timothy and Leslieann Gourley of Walnut Cove; and Laura Hutchins 13, daughter of Brian and Glenda Hutchins of Winston-Salem. Glenda Hutchins was also an adult volunteer with the production.

These 4-H’ers were among 23 youth who either performed or provided technical support for the production. An audience of more than 900 attended the premier performance of “We are 4-H: The Musical” at Johnston Community College in Smithfield.

The focus of the 4-H PAT is the production of an original musical written for the troupe. 4-H’ers were selected through auditions and interviews in March. They had six days of rehearsals to learn all their lines, songs, dances and blocking. The same time frame challenged the tech staff and students to build the set, hang the lights, design sound reinforcement and run the show.

4-H PAT began in 1982 and ended its first run in 1991. Its return this year coincided with the centennial celebration of North Carolina 4-H.

Join Forsyth County 4-H as they hold a special viewing of the performance on Saturday, November 7th, at 4 PM at the Forsyth County Agricultural Building at 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. EVERYONE is invited to watch this fantastic performance and to learn about the history of 4-H. Contact them at 703-2850 or by email for more information.

The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State universities. More than 239,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 23,000 adult and youth volunteers.