It takes a special voice to be heard over 54 other voices without screaming, and an even more special voice to sound pleasant in the process.

Amanda Irvine, 24, has just such a voice. While directing budding young actors and actresses for Shade Tree Players, Irvine often has reason to display the powers of her vocal cords. Whether it be to instruct young thespians on stage positions or to pull performers aside for special instructions, Irvine's crisp, clear voice gets a lot of use.

Irvine, a 2000 Bismarck High School graduate, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater performance from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Rather than head off to a big city to pursue an acting career, Irvine decided to return to Bismarck, where her passion for theater began.

"Sure, I could go off and act somewhere," she said. "But I'm more needed here."

Irvine is directing two of the seven shows that Shade Tree Players will put on this summer. "The Princess Plays," held recently at the High Prairie Arts & Science Complex, and "Gooney Bird Greene," which will be held July 20-23 at Dakota Stage.

Irvine said she began acting with Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre when she was 6 years old. She continued acting through community theater and school plays.

"I go way back with summer theater," she said.

Besides directing, Irvine also teaches acting classes for Shade Tree Players, puts in 30 to 40 hours a week at Spa D'Athena, and teaches tae kwon do two nights a week at Alliance Tae Kwon Do.

Irvine said she wants to help other young people experience theater and the arts.

As Irvine talks about the potential of arts in Bismarck, her eyes sparkle behind her glasses, and her gestures get more animated.

"Without theater, there's no way I'd be where Iam today," she said.

Irvine said one boy came to theater shy and quiet, but by the time he performed in his first play, he had the audience rolling with laughter. When they get on the stage, the children learn to "become" other characters, she said.

"So many kids come in here who are completely changed by this," she said.