|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Idols of March program is part of Curtain Call’s outreach initiatives to bring theatre arts programming into the community. “We constantly strive to be involved in the community in more ways than just presenting live theatre,” said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call Executive Director. “Nurturing young audiences and introducing them to the works of Shakespeare through the Idols of March program is just one way that we can do that, Ursone noted. Students from the following schools have participated: Darien High School , Fairfield Ludlowe High School , New Canaan High School , New York University, Stamford High School , Tomlinson School , Trinity Catholic High, School, Westhill High School . Through the efforts of Curtain Call Associate Artistic Director Peter Barbieri, Jr. and Education Director Brian Bianco, a curriculum was developed and offered free of charge to any Fairfield County high school that wanted it. Creating a competition based on the American Idols TV show was Barbieri’s idea. “I thought it would draw the younger crowd of performers we’ll need for this production” Barbieri said. “We wanted to be as inclusive as possible, reaching especially those students who may not regularly participate in theatre arts programming,” Ursone noted. Bianco put together a team of teaching artists and went out into the community and they have taught classes for the past few months. “The students involved have been amazing,” said Bianco. “There is so much talent and passion among these young performers that it was very exciting to be involved in this process,” he said. “Our instructors were amazed with the work that was done by these students in such a brief time” Bianco said noting that he can’t wait for this Friday night. “The commitment that the students have shown throughout the process impressed me, so that I know whoever is cast Friday night will work hard throughout the summer,” Barbieri said. Since Barbieri serves as the director for Curtain Call’s annual free Shakespeare presentation, he will have the final say in casting, but the first two rounds on Friday night will be judged by a panel of five theatre artists, including Chad Rabinovitz (Director of the Westport Country Playhouse upcoming production The Pavillion) and Pam Brown (Shakespearean scholar and professor at UConn). Other judges include local stage director Joel Fenster who recently directed Julius Caesar for The Darien Players, and actors Kimberly Lowden and J. Kevin Smith, who have appeared in past Shakespeare on the Green presentations. The ten participating finalist couples will each present a scene that they’ve prepared then will be critiqued and offered suggestions. The group will be paired down to five couples who will each present a scene from Romeo and Juliet. The final 6 finalists (three couples) will do the same scene from Romeo and Juliet but with different partners. All six finalists will be offered roles in the show. Curtain Call is the non-profit community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue , Stamford , CT , providing year-round live productions as well as theatre arts educational workshops for youth and adults. Voted BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005, 2006 and 2007 by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly and Best Performing Arts Group 2008 by the readers of StamfordPlus magazine Funding is provided by many local corporations, foundations and individuals, not the least of which is The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. For more information, call 203-329-8207 or go to www.curtaincallinc.com. © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Rogers to play Caesar in Shakespeare festival - May 15, 2008 - 8:23:19 AM Greenwich’s Chris Ghaffari added to Shakespeare cast - May 9, 2008 - 6:14:02 AM Summer season announced at Curtain Call – A Summer of Shakespeare & Seuss - May 2, 2008 - 10:05:13 AM Holiday at Italian villa heads auction items at Shakespeare benefit - Mar 21, 2008 - 10:00:09 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
