Bell's New Life Photography, Aransas Pass
Sheltered Sparrow Productions came to life on December 8, 2000. Over the next two years under the direction of PJ Mangrello Brown the little company of actors ages 4-16 performed in San Diego, Ca. in "The Wiz, "Peter Pan", "Grease", "Winnie the Pooh's Christmas Tale" and two runs of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." Venues included the Avo, Star, and Sunshine Brooks Theatre's in North San Diego County,and the Don Powell Theatre at San Diego State University.
PJ's prior children's theatre experience was 8 years as a volunteer including administrative manager for
San Diego Children's Theatre,now known as Met2, San Diego, and Theatre Network International. During those years PJ was an active back and front participant in the making of many children's musicals including, "Carousel", "Aladdin", "The Wiz," "Grease", "Beauty and The Beast", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Annie", "The Secret Garden," "Big River", "The Music Man", "Peter Pan", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". She has been blessed to work for eight years in Met2 with many talented children including Adam Lambert, of American Idol Fame, and Patrick OHallahan of Broadway's "Fortunes Fool."
Sheltered Sparrow was reborn in the Coastal Bend of South Texas after PJ and husband Peter Brown, in their retirement from professional jobs in aerospace and finance, produced and directed "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at The Rialto Theatre in Aransas Pass, Texas. The troupe since has produced two musicals a year and performed for community service at senior centers, Corpus Christi's Jr. League Festival, and Spirit Life Fellowhsip's concert for CC Food Bank. They have been see at venues which include Delmar College, and Tuloso Midway Theatre, churches and schools. In 2008, Sparrow became a non profit outreach of Spirit Life Fellowship of Corpus Christi. They have found rehearsal nests at Spirit Life, at First Baptist Church of Aransas Pass and at Hilltop Community center.
In December, 2008 they Produced Disney's Cinderella Kids in Corpus Christi, with the help of addition of Michael Perez, as Musical Director. Michael, talented musician, composer, piano teacher and vocal coach is the Musical Director for many Harbor Theatre Productions, Choir Director at Flour Bluff ISD, musical director for his church, and musical accompaniest for the music dept at TAMUCC. Michael directed the music for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in Spring 2009 and continues to work with Sparrow kids when he can. He has been joined by Daneille Keen, musical director, Lorissa Chapa, artistic director, and Vanessa Perez vocal coach. Our ranks continue to build excellence with the help of young people who bring their voices and musical talents to us on and off the stage.
Sheltered Sparrow was reborn in the Coastal Bend of South Texas after PJ and husband Peter Brown, in their retirement from professional jobs in aerospace and finance, produced and directed "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at The Rialto Theatre in Aransas Pass, Texas. The troupe since has produced two musicals a year and performed for community service at senior centers, Corpus Christi's Jr. League Festival, and Spirit Life Fellowhsip's concert for CC Food Bank. They have been see at venues which include Delmar College, and Tuloso Midway Theatre, churches and schools. In 2008, Sparrow became a non profit outreach of Spirit Life Fellowship of Corpus Christi. They have found rehearsal nests at Spirit Life, at First Baptist Church of Aransas Pass and at Hilltop Community center.
In December, 2008 they Produced Disney's Cinderella Kids in Corpus Christi, with the help of addition of Michael Perez, as Musical Director. Michael, talented musician, composer, piano teacher and vocal coach is the Musical Director for many Harbor Theatre Productions, Choir Director at Flour Bluff ISD, musical director for his church, and musical accompaniest for the music dept at TAMUCC. Michael directed the music for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in Spring 2009 and continues to work with Sparrow kids when he can. He has been joined by Daneille Keen, musical director, Lorissa Chapa, artistic director, and Vanessa Perez vocal coach. Our ranks continue to build excellence with the help of young people who bring their voices and musical talents to us on and off the stage.
The Browns developed a workshop program for Tuloso Midway's after school program. PJ teaches drama at Texas A&M's Early Childhood Development center. Her students are prek 3 though 5th grades. These students are currently producing their own spring musical, "A Year in the Life of Frog and Toad."
Like the first children of Sheltered Sparrow, many of the children in the latest productions had little or no prior stage training. Some have appeared in local community productions and choirs and in school and church plays. They entered the realm of Sparrow theatre where all children have a role in the production. They found their own gifts while developing the tools of teamwork, focus, discipline, and the joys of live theatre.
We allow children the delightful adventure of escape to an imaginary place where they can safely express themselves through the theatre arts. They make new and lasting friends and have been given a boost to their self confidence. We expect that they will focus better in class, will give excellent presentations, and will grow to maturity knowing they can accomplish great things. Our motto is "Believe in Yourself." We don't build stars, we build good citizens.
Sparrow is considered an extra-curricular activity by Coastal Bend school districts from which they draw students. Currently our school districts include Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, Ingleside, Robstown, Callallen, Tuloso Midway, Seaside Learning Center and many home schooled children. .
Sheltered Sparrow derives it's name from Matthew 10.29 and Psalm 84.3. We believe that the Lord looks after the littlest of sparrows, therefore He is watching over us.
"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in
them and try to follow their lead." Louisa May Alcott
