A screw - painted gold, driven into a block of wood and slightly tilted - takes on a new meaning at Shade Tree Players summer theater.

When presented to a dedicated, ambitious student finding their love for theater, the "Tilted Screw" acts as the Shade Tree Players' version of an Oscar.

"(Shade Tree Players) is a fun children's theater," Dakota Stage executive director Marcie Simpson said.

For almost 40 years, the community theater has offered roles to any young aspiring actor or actress in one of their productions.

"This year, I think, is our biggest year," summer program manager Jerry Solomon said.

The cast of "Treasure Island," the first of eight productions this summer, will take the stage today.

"You get to see kids come out of their shells," Solomon said.

The modern retelling of the famous novel by Robert Louis Stevenson will dominate the Dakota Stage this weekend, with showings at 7 p.m. today through Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

"It's a lot of work, and I think they pull it off very well," Solomon said.

For the past three weeks, the age 6 to 16 cast has been memorizing and rehearsing speaking and singing parts three hours each weekday, with set making and costume searching on the weekends.

"They have to work pretty hard, pretty fast," Solomon said.

But for experienced Shade Tree Player actress Lexi Hagler, the time constraint is no longer an issue.

"I know for some of the newer kids it's difficult, and they get stressed about memorizing their lines," Hagler said. "But I just try to practice every night. After a while, it just comes to you."

This is the 15-year-old Hagler's ninth year as a member of Shade Tree Players.

"Ilike to portray different people and just kind of escape from whatever is going on in my life," Hagler said.

With eight productions in two and a half months, Shade Tree Players has expanded its operations to have rehearsals and performances at both the Dakota Stage, 412 E. Main Ave., and the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, 1810 Schafer St.

After three weeks of daily practices, the cast has dress rehearsals in front of local day cares.

"You are reaching to a population where they may have never seen a play before," Simpson said. "It may be an introduction to them (the day care children)."

Hagler started in theater at a young age as an outlet for her love to do skits in front of her parents and family members.

"It just gives you confidence when you get up in front of people," she said.

In 2002, Hagler, only 8 years old, played a lead role in "Ramona Quimby." Still new to the theater experience, Hagler said it was her favorite show and role because she was cast in the lead as a newcomer.

"It was one of my first plays, and Ihad a bigger part, so it made me feel good that they thought Ihad enough talent," she said.

This year, Hagler is a member of the Traveling Troupe, a more experienced group ages 12-18 who travel to various venues in Bismarck-Mandan. She will be the storyteller in "Romeo and Juliet, or the Old 'You-Know-I-Really-Love You-But-My-Father-Really-Hates-You' Blues."

According to Hagler, the musical is Shakespeare in common modern terms.

"This play makes it easy, and everybody can understand what is going on," she said.

After watching the group perform last year, Hagler wanted to be a member of the Traveling Troupe.

"It was really funny and it looked really fun," she said.

While it is fun for the young actors and actresses, the summer theater also involves parents.

"Parent volunteers keep us afloat," Simpson said.

Both backstage and in the audience, Shade Tree Players is a growing family theater.

"(Shade Tree Players) is great family entertainment," Solomon said.

(Reach reporter Kay Kemmet at 250-8260 or kay.kemmet@bismarcktribune.com.)