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 Princess and the Pea Update |
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Princess & Pea delights sold-out crowd!!! Drama students at The Learning Center! got the opportunity to step into the stage lights for a sold-out crowd at The Henn Theater on May 29th. This was the first public production for The Learning Center's newly formed drama department called "The GrowZone Players". Prior to the public production on May 29th, the school held a special "dress rehearsal by invitation only" to select members of the local arts community. Jackie Ward Foundation Board member, John O'Neal from Andrews was on hand and said, "Bravo to these budding musicians, dancers, and actors who held us laughing from the 2nd Act till the end!" "It takes many volunteer hours and donations to pull off a quality production like this," said Learning Center director, Mary Jo Dyre. Kathleen Nolte, director of the Cherokee County Arts Council worked with the school to find a place to have the "opening night" reception. Sharon and Wally Wilson, owners of Valley River Merchants Building offered their building for the venue. Said Nolte, "This event is a chance for young people to be recognized for their hard work and talent as well as a great opportunity to bring people to downtown Murphy in support of the arts." Music for the Princess and the Pea production was provided by the school's strings program under the direction of Dr. Vernal Richardson, violin director and Judy Coleman, music coordinator. Coleman also conducts K-4th grade chorus at the school in addition to her role as Language Arts teacher and Odyssey of the Mind coordinator. Yes, at last, here at The Learning Center! Charter School we are attempting our debut into the performing arts with a late spring production of The Princess and the Pea, a Traditional Tale Told Anew for Unison and 2-part Voices by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher. Some have already called us crazy for undertaking such an endeavor. However, as Director of The Learning Center! Charter School working alongside those who have joined the ranks to get this production off the ground, I can assure you that we are very excited about this opportunity for our Learning Center students and the larger community. Our predominant goal for creating a drama program here at our school is to provide our middle school students with educational opportunities that develop basic skills for and an appreciation of the performing arts. Additionally we extended an invitation to some of our area homeschoolers and area high school students to participate in this rich experience. Opportunities are available in acting, singing, set design, tech support and lighting. The research that I had done prior to finalizing our plans for this production, has encouraged a “padding of experience” when working with students that are middle school and below in order to provide a production experience that is positive for the younger students. We look forward to accomplishing much through this combined community effort. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce the people who are the prime movers in the Performing Arts Program at The Learning Center! Charter School: Ryan Bender, Director; Theresa Raker, 7 th /8 th Social Studies and Language arts teacher; Judy Coleman, K-4 Chorus and 5 th-8 the FUSION Ensemble Director; Dr. Vernal Richardson, Director and Judy Rothkoph, assistant, The Learning Center Strings Program; BJ McFalls, Pat Hegstrom, Melissa Huls, and Tara Noland, costume design; Robby Evans and Robert Hamilton, lighting and sound; Bill Brechbill, set construction; Carrie Dyer and Pat Hegstrom, set design. Five of the above are volunteers. |
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 6:00 at the Henn Theater: Final Dress Rehearsal for The Princess and the Pea. Guests will be by invitation only to people who make up the Art Community. A reception will be held immediately following the production to introduce our players and staff to the Art Community guests. (more details to follow) Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:00 matinee performance for Learning Center students ONLY at the Henn Theater. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 6:30 at the Henn Theater presenting The Princess and the Pea. Open to the public with advance sale of tickets and tickets at the door as available Click here to view the official Promotional Flyer! |
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Sincerely, Mary Jo Dyre, Director |