LEC’s Equine Actors Guild is new in 2009. Riding Instructor Erica Mundt who heads up the club says of this very unique program, “Equine Actors Guild provides riders with the opportunity to express their creative talent, make new friends, and have fun with horses while also improving their showmanship, balance and fitness through riding.” This club allows its members to engage in a non-traditional use of the arena and their equine partners. Uniting horseback riding with the arts and acting “develops children’s self esteem, confidence, and their ability to work and cooperate with others.” The program is designed to foster a love for creative expression and respect for the horse as a fellow performer. Children are encouraged to be aware of the ways in which horse and rider must work in unison with an attitude of mutual respect and understanding in all forms of riding.

The Equine Actors Guild is open to riders ages 7 to 18 and the club rehearses once a week. Each cast member will be assigned a horse for the duration of a play’s performance period. Safety is emphasized at rehearsal, especially when costumes are being used and all riders are required to wear a helmet when mounted. Weekly attendance is necessary for the performance and rehearsals to run smoothly. At Auditions you must be prepared to read and act the part you want or a prepared monologue, poem, or story. Also, please be sure to bring 3 choices of parts that you want to try-out for. Riding ability will be considered but not a deciding factor in final casting decisions.

Erica is currently putting together a cast and crew for an equine version of “Cinderella” to be performed in January 2010. If you would like to be involved but don’t want to act “on stage,” positions are available in the “Backstage Crew.” Everyone can be involved in the LEC’s Equine Actor’s Guild!

For more information about the Equine Actors Guild contact Erica Mundt at:

erica.mundt@gmail.com