Venice Little Theatre www.venicestage.com
CONTACT PERSON
[NOT FOR RELEASE] : Sandy Davisson, 486-8679 sandydavisson@venicestage.comF O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E February 27, 2008
VLT / Island Village Montessori partnership bringing musical show to VLT MainStage
For three years, Venice Little Theatre and the Island Village Montessori School in Venice have partnered in an after-school performance arts program. As in previous years, the show they have rehearsed this school year will be presented on the theatre’s MainStage. The show is scheduled for March 15, 2008 and there is one performance at 12 o’clock noon. Tickets are $8.00 and may be purchased in advance through the school and at the door on the day of the performance.
This year’s show is titled "We’re All In This Together!" and features an original script by Clair Lockeyear, VLT’s Assistant Director of Education and Outreach. Lockeyear directs and choreographs the MainStage show and also teaches the after-school classes at IVMS.
The students will perform on the set of My Fair Lady, which is the current MainStage offering at VLT. However, special lighting and sound have been designed specifically for this show by Alise Hart and Dorian Boyd. Sharon Feiser will serve as Stage Manager.
Darlene Russo, Joanna Dabrowski and Michelle Pinto served as Assistant Choreographers. Russo is also Choir Director for the IVMS program. Assistant Choir Director and pianist is Soo Choi.
Jan Pearman, Director at Island Village Montessori, had the germ of an idea five years ago that became this collaboration with VLT. She and VLT’s Director of Education and Ourteach, Sandy Davisson, designed a program which they call IMAGINE and which simultaneously challenges each student while allowing for differing levels of curriculum and experience. They use theatre to help the students develop speaking and general social skills.
Pearman says of the program, now in its third year, "We are soaring; we are flying and it’s all due to the collaborative efforts of the people on VLT’s Education staff." Davisson adds "This year we really kicked things up, moving away from a variety show format – done in previous years – to the more challenging scripted and traditionally structured play." Lockeyear says her students "are amazingly dedicated to this project. Their growth is tremendous! I’ve had some of these kids for three years and it’s a joy to see how far they’ve progressed as actors and as individuals."
The theatre is located at 140 West Tampa Avenue on the island in Venice. Tickets for this show will be available at the door on the day of performance and can be purchased in advance through the school office, by calling 484-4999 ext 224.
CAPTION: Students at Island Village Montessori in Venice rehearse for their upcoming performance at Venice Little Theatre
The IVMS students involved in the production are:
Taylor Baker
Naomi Ball
Sammy Ball
Kei Bland
Brittany Brown
Heather Brown
Sydney Catalfino
Maria Calandra
Tina Cherry
Clarissa Choi
Alex Coyne
Grace Crissy
Anthony Cruz
Alexis Cuevas
Jordan Davis
Joshua Davis
Marco Del Real
Ricky Del Real
Lauren Devault
Austin Dexter
Enxhi Fundo
Pablo Gonzalez
Sarah Graham
Sydney Grant
Alex Guelzow
Richard Hassberger
Emily Hassberger
Zach Herman
Sarah Johnson
Hannah Kirkendall
Lianna Koval
Alexa Landacre
Sierra Landacre
Tristan Lee
Erin Lingard
Kirsten Livermore
Amanda Luis
Thea Lundh
Zoe Lundh
Delaney McLean
Nolan McLean
Mariah Michalowski
Mackenzie Mitchell
Alex Morris
Gabriel Morris
Isabella Nemer
Juliet Noble
Manon Pigeon
Dylan Pinto
Angel Robson
Jake Robson
Gwyneth Russo
Olivia Russo
Isabella Scranton
Skylar Sellitti
Malaia Siem
Christopher Smith
Katrina Smith
Savannah Stewart
Seneca Symonds
Tristan Waiss
Josie Wisnewski
Kirra Wueger
Tara Wueger