Willimantic – In early March, EASTCONN’s Capitol Theater Arts Academy (CTAA) will present a fully staged performance of Disney’s Aladdin Jr., a student musical, at EASTCONN’s Capitol Theater, 896 Main St., in Willimantic.

The public is invited to performances on Thurs., Fri. and Sat., March 1, 2 and 3, 2012, at 7 p.m. A matinee will also be performed on Sat., March 3, at 2 p.m.

Leading roles in Disney’s Aladdin Jr. will be played by Kevin Kissane, 16, from Willimantic, as Aladdin; Maria Sousa, 17, from Mansfield, as Jasmine; Pheylin Prue, 17, from Columbia, as Jafar; Elle Schaffhauser, 16, from Storrs, as The Genie; Alexis Clavette, 17, from Stafford Springs, as The Sultan; and Miranda Rios, 14, from Willimantic, as Iago.

“I am looking forward to adding costumes and sets and sharing our hard work with the community,” said Maria Souza, who plays Jasmine, during a recent rehearsal.

Madison Adams, 10, of Mansfield, student performer in Disney’s Aladdin Jr., said, “I like CTAA because its fun. I get to do all my favorite things like acting, singing and dancing. This is my first big lead and I am excited and nervous about it.”

This year, EASTCONN’s CTAA Musical Theater Program has enrolled 25 students, ages 7-17, from 14 towns, including Ashford, Chaplin, Columbia, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, North Windham, Somers, Stafford, Stafford Springs, Storrs, Tolland and Willimantic. Students have worked together on Disney’s Aladdin Jr. since September. The show is directed by Shane Kegler, with musical direction by Kasia Popovic and choreography by Rachel Roccoberton. Costumes are designed by Jeanette Drake and Miriam Drew and sets by Christopher Hoyt.

Disney’s Aladdin Jr. is a stage adaptation of the 1992 Academy Award-winning Disney film, Aladdin. The CTAA production includes songs from the film’s original score, including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” “Arabian Nights,” “Prince Ali” and “One Jump.” To learn more about Disney’s Aladdin Jr. musical, visit www.mtishows.com.

Regular tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children under 12. Call EASTCONN’s Capitol Theater Box Office at 860-465-5636, weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Capitol Theater Box Office opens 45 minutes before show time for walk-up ticket sales.

CTAA serves northeastern Connecticut residents, ages 4 and up. Classes are taught by some of Connecticut’s finest arts professionals, who help students explore the arts through dance, theater, cartooning, creative writing and individual music lessons. Classes are offered in fall, spring and summer sessions at the Art Deco-era Capitol Theater, which houses the CTAA program. For information about CTAA or its Summer Session programming, including the Summer Musical Theater Program, call CTAA Coordinator Rachel Roccoberton Griffin at 860-465-5636 x1023 or e-mail her at rgriffin@eastconn.org. Visit www.eastconn.org/ctaa to learn more.

CTAA is an arts education outreach program of EASTCONN, a public, non-profit regional educational service agency that has been serving the education needs of northeastern Connecticut’s schools and communities since 1980.Visit www.eastconn.org.

Willimantic—This spring, EASTCONN’s Capitol Theater Arts Academy (CTAA) will present two master classes, one in ballet, the other in hip-hop dance, for students, ages 8 and up, under the direction of two accomplished local dance teachers.

The classes will take place at EASTCONN’s Capitol Theater, which houses CTAA, at 896 Main St., in downtown Willimantic.

Beginning on Sat., Jan. 21, 2012, and continuing on Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 14 and May 5, from 2-3:30 p.m., former Hartford Ballet ballerina and ballet teacher Jeanne Giroir will teach a “Ballet Workshop” for CTAA. On Sat., Mar. 24, from 1-2 p.m., Hartford-area dancer and choreographer Bryan Smith, who has worked with “So You Think You Can Dance” stars, will teach the CTAA “Hip-Hop Workshop.”

The “Ballet Workshop” master classes, intended for students 11 and older with four years of training, will incorporate the concepts of the Russian (Vaganova) ballet technique. Each class will begin with a ballet barre and continue to work on center work, pointe work and ballet variations.

The “Hip-Hop Workshop” master class, intended for students 8 to 13 years old, will be a fresh, face-paced dance class, encompassing the fun and high-energy design of hip-hop, challenging students to think on their feet.

Advanced registration is recommended for all workshops. For more information or to register, call the Capitol Theater at 860-465-5636 x1023 or e-mail Rachel Roccoberton Griffin, CTAA coordinator, at rgriffin@eastconn.org .

Giroir studied at the School of American Ballet in New York City and at the Harkness Ballet. A principal dancer with the Hartford Ballet for 15 years, she danced such roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy/Clara in The Nutcracker, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and the Maiden in Carmina Burana. She has taught at the School of the Hartford Ballet, the Hartford Conservatory and is currently on the faculty of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.

Smith is a Texas native who received a diploma in Dance Performance and Pedagogy from the Hartford Conservatory. He is a founding member of SOMA, a modern dance company based in Hartford. Smith has worked with “So You Think You Can Dance” season 5 contestant Ade Obayomi in his summer dance tour and has also toured the Northeast, producing and choreographing flash mobs for First Niagara Bank. He serves on the faculty at the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts, Miss Porter’s School and his work will be seen in the 2012 Rose Parade.

CTAA serves northeastern Connecticut residents, ages 3 and up. Classes are taught by some of Connecticut’s finest arts professionals, who help students explore the arts through dance, theater, cartooning, creative writing and individual music lessons. Classes are offered in both fall and spring sessions. CTAA is an arts education outreach program of EASTCONN, a public, non-profit, Regional Educational Service Center that has been serving the education needs of northeastern Connecticut’s schools and communities since 1980. Visit www.eastconn.org.

December 15-18! Seven Performances Only!
The Off-Broadway Theatre at Yale
41 Broadway (directly behind Toad’s Place)

Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at Noon, 2:30pm & 5:30pm, Sunday at Noon & 2:30pm

“Teen Santa” is a new pop musical about a 17-year old boy who discovers his super-hero powers and uses them to save Christmas…and the world! Written by Bert Bernardi and Justin Rugg, the show features teen band sensation Nothing2simple who perform live on stage. Fast, funny, heartwarming, “Teen Santa” is perfect holiday entertainment for the entire family. Produced by Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut’s new non-profit ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre company.

All seats $15. For tickets visit www.teensanta.com

Honk! Jr.

Connecticut Family Theatre presents HONK! Jr.

Book by  Anthony Drewe
Music by  George Stiles
Lyrics by  Anthony Drewe
Directed by Lori Solak of West Hartford, CT

Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, December 17, 2011 @ 1:00pm

Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 1:00pm

Herbert Gilman Theater,  Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford

335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT

Tickets:  $10.00 in advance (by December 9)  $12.00 after deadline & at door

To order:  Phone – (860)233-2238 / Email – connecticutfamilytheatre@yahoo.com

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, HONK! is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms.   Great family activity!  Suitable for all ages!

For more information about CFT visit:  www.connecticutfamilytheatre.org

adapted from the classic Frank Capra film by Joe Landry

Directed by Meghan Lynn Allen

December 2, 3 at 8 pm

December 4 at 2 pm

Mapleton Hall

Suffield CT 06078

Performed as a 1940′s Live Radio Broadcast (“Prairie Home Companion” Style), this show features the talents of 19 actors from the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts area. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is designed to be a challenge for the actors, as it is a Staged Reading, performed with scripts in hand, a minimum of rehearsal.s, props. scenery or costumes.

The Holiday Benefit Challenge is the Players’ annual fundraiser, also featuring the Traditional Teacup Raffle during intermission. Audience members then get to bid on donated goods and services packaged up prettily by Suffield players volunteers into all manner of baskets and boxes.

This unique show promises delightful holiday surprises for both performers and audiences alike!

General Seating Only; No Reservations Required. Tickets will be available at the door, with a suggested $10 donation for admission.

For more information,  call 860-668-0837 or 800- 289-6148 or visit www.suffieldplayers.org

Neighborhood Music School’s Centennial Ball on December 3

to benefit school financial aid programs

Neighborhood Music School will hold its Centennial Ball Saturday, December 3, from 6 -11:30 p.m. The benefit event, held at the New Haven Lawn Club, will include a cocktail reception, live musical entertainment, plus dinner and dancing.

The NMS Centennial Ball will raise funds to support financial aid and programs and celebrate the organization’s 100-year history of creating opportunities for all community members.  NMS Director of Development Alice-Anne Harwood noted, “What’s most compelling about NMS is the extraordinary history of making a difference in people’s lives, and the Ball is a chance to share some of these stories.”

The Centennial Ball will feature elegant Italian cuisine in three settings, with music performed by the NMS String Quartet, the Gaslight Jazz Band playing classic jazz, and Conga Bop, a Latin jazz group. After dinner, there will be dancing in the Lawn Club Ballroom to a favorite local band, the Taxmen.

Attire is black tie or formal wear from your favorite decade of the past 100 years.  To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact NMS at 203-624-5189  x15, or visit the NMS website at www.neighborhoodmusicschool.org.

Neighborhood Music School is one of the largest community music schools in the country. The school offers more than 400 weekly classes and over 200 events and performances each year. Its 3,000 students come from all over the Greater New Haven area and range in age from 6 months to over 80 years. The NMS financial aid/scholarship program awards more than $225,000 in tuition assistance to approximately 350 students each year, providing access to quality instruction for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. Programs at NMS are made possible with support from the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and through the support of individual donors. First Niagara is the presenting sponsor of the NMS Centennial Celebration.

Artful Living's The Wizard of Oz

Artful Living invites you down the yellow brick road this summer! Producing its 5th blockbuster musical THE WIZARD OF OZ, Artful Living is truly the Community Theater experience. We strive to utilize the many gifts and talents from people of all ages who want to volunteer their time to create the best theater experience possible. The production process winds up giving back ten-fold in wonderful ways – new and lasting friendships, developing and honing creative talents, many laughs and good times – all while learning the craft of acting, singing, movement and theatrical production.

Artful Living has produced many family-friendly musicals that feature children, teens and adults. The synergy of working with a multi-generational cast is fantastic. When the lights go down and our professional orchestra tunes up, audiences from the entire CT area know Artful Living will deliver another smash hit!

Founded and developed since 2007 by Christopher Solimene, Artful Living has over 200 people involved in their summer musicals. Christopher has also recently created and produced seasonal dinner theater musicals at The Old Lyme Inn and continues to direct productions for Regional School District 17.

Mr. Solimene may be reached at chris@ArtfulLivingCT.com. Thank you for supporting the arts!

Tickets and Info for THE WIZARD OF OZ at www.ArtfulLivingCT.com

Full Orchestra – Beautiful Costumes– Wonderful Scenery – Don’t miss it!

July 29,30,31 August 5,6,7 Fri/Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm

451 Route 81 Killingworth CT 06419 Question? 860-389-1363

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Robin Andreoli, Executive Director of the Community Music School, about a new Summer Theater class, Acting 101, that will be held in June. This introductory class, for ages 11 – 16, will be taught by Kevin Spedding, a theater artist and educator who has taught acting for all ages. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree from Rider University and has worked in professional theater in Philadelphia PA, Princeton NJ, and in Connecticut.

When asked about this class, Kevin states, “… the idea for the classes is to work with the kids on creating a character on stage. No matter what the character, from one of the Three Little Pigs to Ophelia or Hamlet, the idea is to use your imagination to create their (the character’s) reality. So we do exercises to encourage imagination, creativity, and emotional connection where appropriate. The younger children generally are less self-conscious and free, but we still do exercises in which we practice being silly and understanding that we won’t be judged – It’s O.K. to be silly when we need to be. For the older children this can be trickier, and they usually need more work with understanding that it’s O.K. to take chances when trying to create a character. In short it can be harder for teens to drop their self-consciousness and really just “go for it”. Of course these are generalizations, and every kid is different, but with small classes we can cater to each child’s individual needs. So the idea is to create a place that’s emotionally safe, where we can experiment with our imagination and emotional intelligence in order to create a character. In the end we’ll put together a small performance using small props, little scenery, and simple costumes in order to highlight some of the things we’ve learned.”

To learn more about Acting 101 or other classes offered by Community Music School, visit www.community-music-school.org/programs/summer-programs.htm

March 28, 2010 (NEW HAVEN, CT) -

Neighborhood Music School (NMS) is proud to announce New Haven public school students Heather Buleje, Lilly Engbith, Justin Green, Danae Morgan, and Maya Rosen-Buell as the 2010-2011 (Regina M. Lilly) Warner Scholars. These talented musicians have been recognized for this award because of their commitment to both their music and academic studies and their community citizenship. These exemplary role models demonstrate the importance of arts education in inspiring learning and creating opportunity. And they serve as mentors to the many younger students who look up to these scholars as inspirational role models.

“We are so proud to have these dynamic young students participating in the wide variety of learning opportunities available at Neighborhood Music School” says Larry Zukof, Executive Director of NMS. “They are a vital part of the Neighborhood Music School community and we’re honored to be able to support their success.”

These scholarships are made possible through the Regina M. Lilly-Warner Fund at Neighborhood Music School which supports New Haven public school students studying at Neighborhood Music School and also provides funding for NMS’s Instrumental Impact program. (The Instrumental Impact program offers 100% free tuition to eligible New Haven public school students in grades 4 – 12 wishing to study music at NMS.) The fund was created in 2008 in partnership with the late Dr. Regina Warner, a tireless advocate for music education in the public school system. Sadly, Dr. Warner passed away in January of this year, but her legacy will continue through the operation of this fund.

To honor Dr. Warner and to continue to build this important scholarship fund, NMS will be hosting a tribute and benefit event on Sunday April 10th at the New Haven Country Club. Proceeds of this event will go directly to the scholarship fund. For tickets, contributions or more information, please visit the NMS website at www.NeighborhoodMusicSchool.org.

There is a May 15th deadline for 2011-2012 Warner Scholar nominations. Dedicated NHPS students pursuing advanced music studies at NMS are encouraged to apply for these awards, which provide tuition support up to $2500 per year, based on proven financial need. Warner Scholarships are awarded to advanced high school students based on proven commitment to their music and academic education and require the nomination of an NMS teacher and a reference from the public school (music teacher and/or school principal). Nominees must demonstrate outstanding musical and leadership potential, consistent commitment to both their academic and music or dance instruction, be currently enrolled in a New Haven public high school, have completed at least three years of music instruction (2 years at NMS) and be a member of their school band or music program. Recognized scholars receive tuition support and special performance opportunities. Applications, including a statement of interest, are due May 1st .Scholarship determinations will be made by June 15th. For forms or more information, visit our website www.NeighborhoodMusicSchool.org or call 203-624-5189.

Neighborhood Music School is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year. The music school, originally founded in late 1911 as part of the settlement house movement providing social services for the immigrant community in New Haven, has since evolved to become one of the ten largest community arts schools in the country. Its mission is to provide the highest quality instruction in music, dance and drama and to make it accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic means. Serving almost 3000 students each year, NMS offers private instruction, group classes and more than 100 different ensemble opportunities. It also offers more than $200,000 in financial aid and tuition subsidies for more than 350 students each year.

NEW BRITAIN YOUTH THEATER “PIG-STRAVAGANZA” TO PROMOTE
“BABE, THE SHEEP-PIG” AND CELEBRATE THEATER’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY

New Britain, CT – In March 2010, New Britain Youth Theater incorporated as Connecticut’s newest nonprofit theater focused on serving children and young adults. One year later, NBYT has already reached over 400 children and teens in programs at New Britain schools, at Trinity-on-Main Performance Center, and in locations through Greater New Britain. Nearly 400 people attended NBYT’s first production in December, A Children’s Christmas Carol, and over forty young actors auditioned for the spring play, Babe, the Sheep-Pig, which will be presented at Trinity-on-Main from April 29 through May 1.
To celebrate a first successful year, to promote Babe, the Sheep-Pig, and to raise funds for further programming, NBYT is holding a Pig-stravaganza Art Show & Auction. According to NBYT Executive Producing Director Darren Farrington, “The Pig-stravaganza is a fundraiser designed to involve the whole community. Local artists and designers are painting and decorating piggy banks. The pigs will be displayed in the Downtown Art Gallery at the Visitor’s Center and at businesses throughout New Britain that sponsor the event. Children in some of our programs are painting piggy banks to display too. Many of the piggy banks will be auctioned off at an event between performances on April 30. We’re even looking to get celebrity autographs on some pigs and have collected a few already.”
Rehearsals for Babe, the Sheep-Pig have already begun with NBYT Executive Artistic Director David Sousa. A cast of thirty-eight actors ranging in age from 7 through 16 play farmers and villagers, sheep, ducks, dogs and puppies, other farm animals, and the famous pig Babe. Roughly half the cast comes from New Britain and the other half come from towns throughout central Connecticut. The play is based on the book The Sheep-Pig, which also inspired the 1996 film Babe. Tickets for the production are on sale by calling Trinity-on-Main at 860-229-2072. Tickets may also be purchased online through websites for New Britain Youth Theater (www.nbyt.org) and Trinity-on-Main (www.trinityonmain.org).
Businesses or organizations that would like to sponsor the Pig-stravaganza Art Show & Auction are invited to contact Farrington at 860-515-8115. Business sponsorship opportunities for this event begin at just $20. “Individuals are always welcome as sponsors or donors as well,” said Farrington.
For more information about New Britain Youth Theater, please visit the company’s website at www.nbyt.org
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About New Britain Youth Theater
New Britain Youth Theater provides programming to the Consolidated School District of New Britain, produces a season of performances by and for children and young adults, schedules classes and workshops, and offers summer and vacation programs. NBYT is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults by encouraging creative thinking, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem, and developing general life skills through involvement in low-cost programs in the performing arts. NBTY operates at Trinity-on-Main Performance Center in downtown New Britain as a home for administration and select performances and educational programs.