Enroll Now! Rising Star ~ Summer Theatre Program Offering Two Sessions

Rising Star students become part of the cast of King Lear (Summer 2014)

Shoreline Arts Alliance is excited to be bringing back the newest component to its renowned Shakespeare on the Shoreline program. For the two weeks prior to the main stage production of The Comedy of Errors, Shoreline Arts Alliance will offer a theater performing arts program, Rising Star, to children in the community. Session 1, Stories from Folklore: Focus on Twins is July 20 - 24 and Session 2, The Comedy of Errors is July 27 – 31, from 9am-3pm on the Guilford Town Green. Students may register for one or both sessions as each week offers new experiences. Tents and rain location will be provided. Rising Star is an outreach program for ages 7 – 17. Tuition is $250.00 per week. Some need based scholarships may be available. These one-week energy-filled, fun, entertaining theater experiences will encourage creativity, reading and interpretation, and engagement in an artistic endeavor. Rising Star embraces the theater arts and will speak to the child’s desire and need to be recognized, to have their own voice and yet be nurtured as a successful individual as well as a contributing member of a team. The theater workshops will illustrate and educate participants on the issues and values that shed light on the human condition and are relevant to today’s world. Alongside the goals of promoting creativity, critical thinking, cooperation, literacy enrichment, and self-confidence, this week-long program is designed to offer an educational experience for participants. All participants will receive training from professional instructors in script analysis, interpretation and performance, and will briefly touch on set design, sound and lighting, costume design, and stage management. Older participants will also benefit from training in work/life skills (i.e. proper dress, inter-personal development, work ethic, public speaking, communication, etc.) to develop and strengthen crucial skills aiding in admission to college or entrance into the work force. Shoreline Arts Alliance is again working with Shakesperience Productions, Inc. for the operation of Rising Star Summer Theater Experience.

A nonprofit, professional, educational theater founded in 1996 and headquartered in Waterbury, Shakesperience Productions, Inc. serves Connecticut school systems and those of neighboring states, reaching over seventy communities per year. A recipient of “Arts Organization of the Year” by Waterbury Neighborhood Council, Shakesperience’s programming has proven successful among client schools, with 93% of these schools rescheduling events with the company year after year. Currently, few theatre programs for this age level are offered where there is direct involvement with the team of a major production. These students will be mentored and nurtured by cast and crew of The Comedy of Errors.

Rising Star Session 1 will explore Twins Fairy Tale. The idea of twins has captivated story tellers for centuries and The Brothers Grimm are no exception. Students will be exploring an adaptation of The Brothers Grimm fairy tales, which is simply entitled The Two Brothers. This story goes through the life of two twin’s boys, who have their own story of rags to riches, growing up through adversity, and attempting to survive in a world that confuses each brother with the other. With Shakesperience’s own professional actors, students will develop their collaboration, story telling skills, and stage presence through the magic of this classic tale. Session 2 will explore The Comedy of Errors. This is an exciting story about two sets of twins that were separated at birth due to an accident out at sea. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which ends up being the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. When Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse come in contact with the friends and families of their twins, a series of wild events take place. With mistaken identity mixed with the classic farce theme, students will explore an abridged version of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy. Exploring the text through vocal and physical work with Shakesperience’s own professional actors, students will unlock the complex world of The Comedy of Errors. Participants will take the stage to present their own productions on Friday, July 24 and Friday, July 31. All participants are expected to be a part of the final production team at levels appropriate for their age. Some of the group may also be invited to join the cast the following week for the main stage production of The Comedy of Errors.

Because of the location of the Shakespeare on the Shoreline program and the Rising Star theater program on the historic Guilford Town Green, participants will also learn about the significance of one of the oldest town greens in the country, its role as the heart of the community, its evolution through history from a grazing spot for cattle and horses, a market place, a burial ground, to its current recreational and leisure uses. Surrounding the Green are historic homes and buildings that will also be part of the educational component of the camp. The use of the Town Green for this summer’s theater intensive, as well as the summer production of The Comedy of Errors will be discussed as it relates to the venues that Shakespeare chose for his public performances.

As one parent summed up her daughter’s experience last summer, “She started off Monday feeling intimidated and overwhelmed at the thought of learning lines that didn't even make sense to her and left today exhausted but with a smile beaming from ear to ear that she accomplished her goal. What a confidence builder. I'm sure she will remember this summer camp for many years to come. Thank you to all of your staff for their hard work and nurturing support.”