New Summer Theater Program for Students in Grades 4 to 8 Begins August 4
All the world’s a stage at Manchester Community College, or will be starting August 4 for students in grades 4 to 8 who sign up for the Excursions in Learning August Theater Program. The youth program runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 15 and concludes with the public performance of the students’ own version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream – but wait, it’s hip hop style!
As part of a program for gifted and talented students, these young performers will develop a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s well-known comedy that incorporates vocal rhythms from hip-hop, rap and rock with the physical movement found in contemporary dance, to create a performance piece of classic Shakespeare with a modern twist. There is still time to register. Contact Carleigh Schultz, coordinator, MCC Youth Programs, at cschultz@manchestercc.edu; or call 860-512-2804. Refer to CRN 20191. The fee is $550.
The unique performance, which will be open to the public, will be held in the Great Path Academy Courtyard on the MCC campus at 2:30 p.m. on August 15.
The instructor of the class and show’s director is Sharon FitzHenry-VanDine, of Bolton, Conn., who has more than 20 years of theatrical experience both as a teacher and artistic director. A member of the Actor’s Equity Association and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, she has directed many children and adult productions across Connecticut.
She serves as producing artistic director/director for CT Imagination Stations, a Suffield, Conn.-based theater production company for youth, where she directed Seussical, Annie, Aladdin and a number of other children’s theater shows.
FitzHenry-VanDine is also guest director for the Opera House Players in Broad Brook, Conn., where she has won awards for Les Miserables and Next to Normal and has also directed/choreographed La Cage Aug Folles, Ragtime, The Secret Garden and other well-known shows. She holds an M.F.A. from Texas Tech University.
