Bellevue Youth Theatre's ‘Christmas Carol’ marks decade of father-daughter stage team

When a couple of social workers ask stingy Ebenezer Scrooge for a contribution in this year’s Bellevue Youth Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol,” it will be a milestone for the actors. Bernie Bauman and his daughter, Barbara, playing the social workers, take the BYT stage together for a 10th straight year.

In 1998, Barbara was a 16-year old student at Bellevue High School and her father was a busy lawyer. Barbara liked acting and her dad realized he could spend more time with her if he tried it himself.

They appeared in the BYT’s “Wizard of Oz,” she as the wicked witch, he as the wizard. (While the focus is on young people, adults also appear in BYT productions.)

Since then, they have performed together in nearly 20 BYT productions. In real life, Bernie has continued to be a busy attorney. Barbara graduated from high school, earned a master’s degree and is now a second-grade teacher at Bennett Elementary School in Bellevue. In addition to acting, Barbara also has worked as a stage manager and instructor at the BYT’s summer day camps.

Despite some shabby treatment from Scrooge, the social workers in this year’s “Christmas Carol” feel pretty good on stage.

“I can feel the joy of acting across from my dad,” Barbara said. “It is a special moment for us both.”

“A Christmas Carol” is at the Theatre at Meydenbauer, 11100 NE Sixth St., as part of Bellevue Magic Season, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. For more information, call the Bellevue Youth Theatre at 425-452-7155.

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