Shoreline Arts Alliance is excited to be bringing back the newest component to its renowned Shakespeare on the Shoreline program - Rising Star Summer Theatre Experience. For the two weeks prior to the main stage production of King Lear, Shoreline Arts Alliance will offer a theater performing arts program to children in the community. Session 1, Cinderella Shakesperience is July 21- July 25 and Session 2, King Lear Shakesperience is July 28 – August 1, from 9am-3pm on the Guilford Town Green. 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 will 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 for youth 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 King Lear. Session 1 will explore Cinderella Stories from around the world – their similarities and differences as well as the cultural interpretations from other countries. Session 2 explores King Lear and the choices we make for children and family as well as the overall welfare of children: physically, emotionally, and educationally. Students will explore the essence of blindness, both literally and figuratively, to their own actions, consequences and blessings. Participants will take the stage to present their own productions on Friday, July 25 and Friday, August 1. 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 chorus the following week for the main stage production of King Lear.
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 King Lear 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.”
Tuition for the week-long Rising Star theatre experience is $250.00 per week. Need based scholarships may be available. For information or to register for the Shakespeare on the Shoreline Rising Star program visit www.shorelinearts.org or call 203-453-3890.
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