Torrington, CT - The Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education in Torrington, CTis introducing “Parallel Play”, a 3-week applied theatre pilot program for high-functioning children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program, which is aligned with state standards for arts education, will use a variety of applied theatre techniques, such as improvisation, scene work, and various theatre exercises to foster social awareness and self-advocacy among children with autism by partnering them with their typical peers.
The class is limited to 12 students between the ages of 10 and 16. The cost of the program is $295. Financial aid is available to students who qualify. The program will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 - 3 pm beginning on Monday, July 18th and conclude on Friday, August 15th with a brief showcase of the scenes or improvisational work that the students have created over the course of the program.
“What a fun and fantastic way for students to work together, learn together and create together towards a common goal that will truly enhance their experience here at the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education.” - Johanna DeZurik, Board of Directors and Education Committee Chair,WarnerTheatre..
This is a revised version of the Parallel Play press release. Please disregard previous release.
About the Warner
Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat studio theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: www.warnertheatre.org.
