You don't need a spotlight to see inner light, but there, on the New England Youth Theatre stage, both sources of illumination were in ample supply, as a group of actors prepared last Monday afternoon for the most important show of their lives. After six years of letting their talents shine through the words and music of others, members of the Adult Troupe of the Theatre Adventure Program were working hard to polish "Raising Our Voices," a multimedia show the 14 actors ages 19-49 have written about their lives.
A program of NEYT, TAP is an inclusive theater arts program for people with disabilities, as well as a few of their typically developing peers. "Raising Our Voices" marks a considerable milestone for both the program and the people it serves. Not only is it the first show they've written. It is also the first show they will present more than once and the first one that will be given a gala evening performance.
That gala performance is Saturday, April 3, at 7 p.m., and is a crucial fundraiser for the TAP program. An earlier performance will be held on Thursday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. Both are held at NEYT, 100 Flat St.
Though it's still a few days away, members of the TAP troupe can't wait to have you come and see it.
"We want to tell other people that we have a voice and to let them see the special gifts we have," said troupe member Katharine Breunig after rehearsal last Monday. "We are so proud of ourselves."
"It feels great amazing. We've been working so hard," added troupe member Kyle Riopel, who wrote the opening song for the show. "I'm hoping people will get inspired by this and use their voices, too."
That is the essence of the show -- and why it's important not just for TAP but for all of us. They're not just telling their story, they're telling our story. And they fit into a theater tradition of shows that offer glimpses into the everyday world of one community to reflect the everyday lives of all of us -- think "Our Town" or "Rent."
In "Raising Our Voices," troupe members introduce themselves to us in a series of songs, stories and vignettes. There are moments of great poignancy and poetry, lighter moments casting the warmest possible glow; there are people standing proudly on their own and people helping each other with unparalleled kindness.
"What's fun about this play we're doing is being with all our friends here at TAP. It's nice to be with them," said Breunig.
As we get to know them through the show, we see our own lives reflected in simple pleasures -- going out for Chinese food, playing basketball, attending church, riding a bike, working out at Curves, listening to Miley Cyrus, chilling out with friends and watching TV. Their larger concerns are ours, too -- finding meaningful work, a good home, friendships and relationships, fitting in, giving back to our community.
"The big vision is ‘Here we are!' Not just a tentative putting your toe in the water, but ‘Here we are! We have something to say. We're proud of who we are," said Laura Lawson Tucker, TAP co-director with Darlene Jenson.
They should be. It's been a year of speaking out with a more confident voice. In February, many of the TAP members journeyed to the Statehouse in Montpelier to join advocates and service providers in lobbying against cuts to services.
"Now's the time for us to speak out Show them where we stand," raps Riopel in the opening song he wrote.
The idea for "Raising Our Voices" began germinating nearly 10 months ago, when Lawson Tucker realized her veteran troupe was ready for the extra load of two performances, including an evening show.
"We also had been entertaining the idea of having them write their own show," she said.
The troupe spent six weeks this fall gathering material and tried some of it out in shows in the community -- including a paying gig -- and at a Sept. 12 symposium on how all people can be better integrated into the community.
What emerged is "Raising Our Voices," a show in three parts. The first part, titled "Here I Am," features the opening song and a group poem where the cast members introduce themselves and shed a little light on who they are.
The second part is a series of vignettes titled "Friends," created by the cast, dealing with the issues they face, the things on their minds, the times they share together and the things they do for fun.
The third part, titled "Community," talks about the jobs they have and the ways they are active and helpful in the community. The show features many songs troupers sing, slides projected in the background, recorded voices, pantomimed scenes, the piano playing of Kachina Lee-Autenrieth, colorful costumes and dancing. The show ends with the ensemble singing Sweet Honey in the Rock's "All I Have to Do." The show will be interpreted in American Sign Language.
"The first goal, I have for each troupe member is that their self-esteem and their self-confidence are boosted. That when the show is over, they're just bursting with pride," Lawson Tucker said. "For the audience, I would hope that they would just feel a sense of celebration for this troupe and these troupe members. We just want to help break down barriers and connect us. The arts do connect us.
"They are making important contributions to the community, and I don't think that's often recognized," she said of her troupers.
The "Raising Our Voices" TAP troupers include: Erin Ansart, Katharine Breunig, Adam Crocker, Evan Cross, Liz Cutts, Nathan Hirth, Julianne Kaplan, Kachina Lee-Autenrieth, Susan Mandell, Brittany Pusey, Kyle Riopel, Zach Teller, Heather Wilson and Teresa Woodlock.
Tickets for the April 3 gala fundraising show are $25 for adults, $10 for students. The show starts at 7 p.m., and there will be hors d'oeuvres, desserts and beverages, as well as entertainment in the lobby starting at 6 p.m. Purchase tickets for the gala at www.neyt.org, 802-246-6398 or at the NEYT box office on Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m.
Tickets for the April 1 show at 10:30 a.m. are $5.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mixed Abilities Theatre Troupe Presents Premier of Original Work
On Saturday, April 3, 2010 the Theatre Adventure Program's Adult Troupe will premier their original production of "Raising Our Voices," as part of a fundraising gala in support of New England Youth Theatre and its groundbreaking initiatives to include students of all abilities in the expressive world of the theatre arts.
Raising Our Voices is a new production, written and performed by the NEYT Theatre Adventure Adult Troupe, demonstrating their commitment to speaking out, telling their stories, and highlighting their abilities as performers. Original songs, familiar music, dancing, acting, singing, adaptive equipment, sign language, and projections help to tell the story of this dynamic, diverse, and talented troupe of actors.
The fourteen Troupe Members speak about their lives in a group poem, “Here I am!” They bring to life the importance of friendship in five vignettes. Pantomime, recorded voices, and projected images create a montage of the Troupe Members engaged in their community. “Putting this play together has been a fun challenge,” says Kyle Riopel, a troupe member and the author of the show’s title song “Raising Our Voices.” “I never thought that I would be doing so much work, but this song means a lot to me and I hope it means a lot to people around the world I want it to inspire.”
“Working in collaboration with these actors to present their stories to the world has been so inspiring,” says TAP Co-Director Laura Lawson Tucker. “They have so much to communicate about their dreams for connection and inclusion. And theatre, with all its creative tools for self-expression, provides a perfect blank canvas on which to work.”
The April 3 event is a fundraiser for the Theatre Adventure Program of New England Youth Theatre. Founded in 2004, the program has been offering theatre classes for students of mixed abilities. This premier production of “Raising Our Voices” marks the first time the troupe has presented material generated wholly from the contributions of troupe members.
“Times are tough for all arts programs,” says Lawson Tucker. “We really hope people will come out and support these actors who have worked so hard to produce this original work, and in turn support New England Youth Theatre that has helped to give voice to so many in our community.”
Tickets to the gala are $25 for adult and $10 for students and may be purchased online at www.neyt.org, at the NEYT Box Office on Wednesdays from noon to 5 pm, or by calling 802-246-6398. An hors d’oeuvres buffet will be served at 6 pm, followed by the performance at 7 pm and a coffee and dessert buffet will be served following the performance.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
New Seating Arrangements
NEYT is pleased to announce a new feature of their ticket reservations system- numbered seats. You can now go to the website, click on "buy tickets" and find a map of the theatre seating arrangement showing which seats have been reserved, and which are available for each show. You can choose your seats on the spot, make your purchase, and be assured of the seat of your choice, particularly if you book early. Note that each of the rows is marked with a letter, and the seats go 1-9 or 10, starting at the stairs at each side of the theatre. If you book the higher numbers, you will not only have more central seats, but you will also not have people asking you to get up so they can get to their seats.
It is still going to be important, maybe even more than before , to get to the theatre on time. If you arrive after the performance, you can not come in through the main aisle and into your seats, even if they are reserved. This would be too disruptive for audiences and actors. We will ask you to go through the tech booth at the top of the lobby stairs, and find whatever seating you can until intermission.
We look forward to your feedback, suggestions, and comments as we phase in this system over the next couple of shows.
It is still going to be important, maybe even more than before , to get to the theatre on time. If you arrive after the performance, you can not come in through the main aisle and into your seats, even if they are reserved. This would be too disruptive for audiences and actors. We will ask you to go through the tech booth at the top of the lobby stairs, and find whatever seating you can until intermission.
We look forward to your feedback, suggestions, and comments as we phase in this system over the next couple of shows.
Pajama Game Auditions
AUDITION DATES MARCH 31, 4 - 6 pm at NEYT
* Sign up (via e-mail michelle@neyt.org or phone Michelle at 802-246-6398 ext. 101)
Please prepare 16 bars of a ballad song and 16 bars of an up tempo "belt" type song from the musical theatre repertoire. Remember to act while singing! And bring your sheet music with you. Dress in comfortable clothing as there will be a short sequence of dance steps for everyone to learn together. (Pajama Game has lots of dancing and lots of big chorus dance numbers.) We will ask you to read short scenes from the play with other actors - you may choose which character(s) you want to read for. Reading selections will be copied and available in the office for you to take home to review and study before the audition date. Auditions will run from 4:00 to 6:00 and we expect everyone to come at the start and stay until the end as we will be doing some call backs right then and there and want to mix and match actors within various scenes.
The Pajama Game is a musical based on the novel 7-1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell, featuring a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story deals with labor troubles in a pajama factory, where worker demands for a seven-and-a-half cent raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, the grievance committee head, and Sid, the new factory superintendent.
A perennial audience favorite, the original Broadway production of Pajama Game opened on May 13, 1954 and ran for 1,063 performances. It was revived in 1973, and again in 2006 by The Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway. The original production won a Tony for Best Musical, and the 2006 Broadway revival won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
* Sign up (via e-mail michelle@neyt.org or phone Michelle at 802-246-6398 ext. 101)
Please prepare 16 bars of a ballad song and 16 bars of an up tempo "belt" type song from the musical theatre repertoire. Remember to act while singing! And bring your sheet music with you. Dress in comfortable clothing as there will be a short sequence of dance steps for everyone to learn together. (Pajama Game has lots of dancing and lots of big chorus dance numbers.) We will ask you to read short scenes from the play with other actors - you may choose which character(s) you want to read for. Reading selections will be copied and available in the office for you to take home to review and study before the audition date. Auditions will run from 4:00 to 6:00 and we expect everyone to come at the start and stay until the end as we will be doing some call backs right then and there and want to mix and match actors within various scenes.
The Pajama Game is a musical based on the novel 7-1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell, featuring a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story deals with labor troubles in a pajama factory, where worker demands for a seven-and-a-half cent raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, the grievance committee head, and Sid, the new factory superintendent.
A perennial audience favorite, the original Broadway production of Pajama Game opened on May 13, 1954 and ran for 1,063 performances. It was revived in 1973, and again in 2006 by The Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway. The original production won a Tony for Best Musical, and the 2006 Broadway revival won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
Theatre Adventure Program Raises their voice
On Saturday, April 3, 2010 the Theatre Adventure Program's Adult Troupe will premier their original production of "Raising Our Voices," as part of a fundraising gala in support of New England Youth Theatre and its groundbreaking initiatives to include students of all abilities in the expressive world of the theatre arts.
Raising Our Voices is a new production, written and performed by the NEYT Theatre Adventure Adult Troupe, demonstrating their commitment to speaking out, telling their stories, and highlighting their abilities as performers. Original songs, familiar music, dancing, acting, singing, adaptive equipment, sign language, and projections help to tell the story of this dynamic, diverse, and talented troupe of actors.
The fourteen Troupe Members speak about their lives in a group poem, “Here I am!” They bring to life the importance of friendship in five vignettes. Pantomime, recorded voices, and projected images create a montage of the Troupe Members engaged in their community. “Putting this play together has been a fun challenge,” says Kyle Riopel, a troupe member and the author of the show’s title song “Raising Our Voices.” “I never thought that I would be doing so much work, but this song means a lot to me and I hope it means a lot to people around the world I want it to inspire.”
“Working in collaboration with these actors to present their stories to the world has been so inspiring,” says TAP Co-Director Laura Lawson Tucker. “They have so much to communicate about their dreams for connection and inclusion. And theatre, with all its creative tools for self-expression, provides a perfect blank canvas on which to work.”
The April 3 event is a fundraiser for the Theatre Adventure Program of New England Youth Theatre. Founded in 2004, the program has been offering theatre classes for students of mixed abilities. This premier production of “Raising Our Voices” marks the first time the troupe has presented material generated wholly from the contributions of troupe members.
“Times are tough for all arts programs,” says Lawson Tucker. “We really hope people will come out and support these actors who have worked so hard to produce this original work, and in turn support New England Youth Theatre that has helped to give voice to so many in our community.”
Tickets to the gala are $25 for adult and $10 for students and may be purchased online at www.neyt.org, at the NEYT Box Office on Wednesdays from noon to 5 pm, or by calling 802-246-6398. An hors d’oeuvres buffet will be served at 6 pm, followed by the performance at 7 pm and a coffee and dessert buffet will be served following the performance.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Cure your Cabin Fever with a Spook!
The gray days of March bring a kind of gloom. The snow melts and fog rises from the ground giving our quiet town an eerie feel. If you go out walking alone, beware - the headless horseman is coming to Brattleboro this month!
New England Youth Theatre is presenting The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, an early American story by Washington Irving, directed by Peter Gould, and generously sponsored by The Bear Bookshop.
Peter says, "Sleepy Hollow is one of the first great Colonial American folk tales. Set in the rolling hills and dark hollows of the Hudson River valley, it's exciting and mysterious, with four memorable legendary characters: the awkward singing schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, the wealthy land-owner Balt Van Tassel, his blooming daughter--and only heir-- Katrina, and her suitor, the muscular braggart Bram Van Brunt. And there's a whole host of supporting townsfolk, farm animals, spirits, and school children."
In an exciting twist, Gould has decided to set the play in 1950’s rural America. Be ready for bobby socks, pony tails, bomb drills, and possibly even some early rock ‘n’ roll. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be story-theatre in the style of the two recent Kipling productions directed by Peter (Jungle Book and Just So) with the young ensemble doing all the chorus parts, physical moves, sound effects, dances, scary illusions, and general, rural, schoolhouse mayhem.
Don't miss this energetic fun-filled hour of youth theatre, right in the middle of cabin fever days March 12-21, Friday-Sunday. Evening shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and matinees are on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $11.50 for adults, $9.50 seniors, and $7.50 for students. To purchase advance tickets visit our website at www.neyt.org, call (802)246-NEYT, or come in person to the theatre at 100 Flat St., Brattleboro, VT.
New England Youth Theatre is presenting The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, an early American story by Washington Irving, directed by Peter Gould, and generously sponsored by The Bear Bookshop.
Peter says, "Sleepy Hollow is one of the first great Colonial American folk tales. Set in the rolling hills and dark hollows of the Hudson River valley, it's exciting and mysterious, with four memorable legendary characters: the awkward singing schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, the wealthy land-owner Balt Van Tassel, his blooming daughter--and only heir-- Katrina, and her suitor, the muscular braggart Bram Van Brunt. And there's a whole host of supporting townsfolk, farm animals, spirits, and school children."
In an exciting twist, Gould has decided to set the play in 1950’s rural America. Be ready for bobby socks, pony tails, bomb drills, and possibly even some early rock ‘n’ roll. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be story-theatre in the style of the two recent Kipling productions directed by Peter (Jungle Book and Just So) with the young ensemble doing all the chorus parts, physical moves, sound effects, dances, scary illusions, and general, rural, schoolhouse mayhem.
Don't miss this energetic fun-filled hour of youth theatre, right in the middle of cabin fever days March 12-21, Friday-Sunday. Evening shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and matinees are on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $11.50 for adults, $9.50 seniors, and $7.50 for students. To purchase advance tickets visit our website at www.neyt.org, call (802)246-NEYT, or come in person to the theatre at 100 Flat St., Brattleboro, VT.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
