Young Performers' Workshop registration closes today

Young Performers’ Workshop registration will close this evening at 5:00pm.  If you have a young performer and would still like to get them signed up for a class, act quickly!  Our YPW 1 classes, for students ages 6-11 are full, and have lengthy waiting lists, but there are still a couple of spots available in the YPW 2 classes, for students ages 12-18. 

Call our box office at 540-869-1776 to register today.

Registration for Fall YPW sessions will open on August 20^th.  Class details are still to be determined, but keep an eye out for the mailing that will list what classes will be offered at what times!  

Emerging Artists live up to their name!

Charlie Chaplin

Emerging Artists’ Fall New Work is well under way!

Playwrights have begun working on the 2012 Emerging Artists’ New Work about Charlie Chaplin.  Already in their fifth week of research and creation, they’ve begun turning out the first scenes of the brand new, original play that will see its world premiere on the Wayside Theatre main stage!  Here are some important facts for you to know:

All Emerging Artists’ productions are cast via open auditions!  This means that anyone who comes to try out for the play will have a chance to be in it.

Auditions will take place on August 29, 30, and 31 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.

Performances are on November 9 and 10. 

And here’s a little bit of information about the man himself:

Charlie Chaplin?  He was a seriously cool character!  He was born in London in 1889, and both of his parents were music hall performers.  His father left when he was very young, and after his mother, Hannah, lost her voice she was unable to find work as a performer.  She took to sewing for sweatshops to make ends meet.  Eventually, Hannah was unable to make enough money to care for herself and her children.  After that, Charlie and his brother, Sydney, were in and out of work houses.  When Charlie was 14 years old, his mother had a mental breakdown, and he had to take her to the asylum.  She never fully recovered, and he had to fend for himself until Sydney returned from his most recent job as a steward on a ship at sea.  The brothers decided they would go on the stage, and within a year Charlie was gainfully employed playing the pageboy in Sherlock Holmes.  It was the first step in one of the most extraordinary rags-to-riches stories in modern history.

By the age of 30, Charlie Chaplin had made his way into one of the best burlesque/vaudeville acts in England, then to America and into film to become one of the highest paid people in the world.  He had also revolutionized the filmmaking industry by founding (with a group of fellow artists) the first independent movie distributor.

Want to know more?  Come out for auditions on August 29, 30, and 31, or join us for the performances on November 9 and 10!

Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp with child actor Jackie Coogan in The Kid.

New Class Offering!

New Class Offering!

Wayside Theatre Education in Action Presents:
Playwriting Summer Intensive

          This summer, Wayside Theatre’s Education in Action is trying something new: a playwriting intensive.  One week, four hours a day, one professional playwright and teacher, and a lot of creativity!  You might be asking yourself “Why offer playwriting?” 

The simple answer is that most schools in the area don’t.  Many students are missing out on a really unique and valuable experience.  That’s where we come in.  If your child is always writing, loves theatre, or is looking for a creative outlet (or maybe just a cool and productive way to spend the summer), this is a great opportunity for them.

You can expect benefits for your child above and beyond having a means to explore their creative voice.  Playwriting encourages students to think about issues from different perspectives as they write from the point of view of different characters.  It strengthens their critical thinking skills as they shape a plot and structure their story.  One of the most important things playwriting provides students is invaluable practice in writing that will serve them as they move ahead in their education.  When it comes time to write up a C.V. for college applications, you better believe that great writing skills (and participation in a writing intensive course) will come in handy!

The Summer Playwriting Intensive being offered through Wayside Theatre’s Education in Action will be taught by Marc Adams.  Mr. Adams is a professional script consultant and Virginia-certified English teacher, who has taught in both public and private schools in Federick, Fauquier, and Loudon Counties. 

Classes are to be held at the Town Office in Middletown, and will take place from 9am to 1pm, Monday July 9^th through Friday July 13^th.  The course will culminate in a reading of each student’s short play or scene.  The cost is $200 for the week.  To register your child for the Summer Playwriting Intensive, call the Wayside Theatre box office at 540-869-1776.  

YAG Convocation and Commencement -or- What is YAG, anyway?

Young Ambassadors’ Guild Convocation and Commencement

     Last Friday, the Young Ambassadors’ Guild inducted new members.  Below are pictures, but now seems like a good time to fill you in on the particulars of YAG.  YAG is still a mystery to many friends of Wayside, and it’s high time that changed!  So here’s a crash course on what YAG is all about:

     The Young Ambassadors’ Guild serves as an advisory group for Wayside’s Education in Action.  Members between the ages of 13 and 18 bring their passion for theatre to other young people, inviting them to experience theatre firsthand through education programming and social events.   Their goals are to provide opportunities for area youth to learn about and become involved in theatre, and to learn about theatre as an art and a business.

     Overstating the importance of YAG to Wayside is nearly impossible.  YAG organizes fundraisers and events that fund Wayside’s administrative needs, education programs and scholarships, and other theatrical endeavors.  In the past, funds raised by YAG have been used for everything from mailings to space rental fees.  YAG also provides important feedback from the perspective of young people. 

     One of the most unique aspects of YAG is their knowledge of and involvement in the business and administrative side of theatre.  By being involved in YAG, members learn about how nonprofit organizations in general and theatres in particular are run.  They also learn valuable skills like how to plan and coordinate events, how to run a formal meeting, and how to interact with professionally trained artists and staff members in a professional setting. 

     The members of YAG elect an executive board, comprised of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary Treasurer, and Member-at-Large, that makes decisions regarding Young Ambassadors’ Guild finances, by-laws, and actions.  Wayside Theatre Education Director Molly MacLagan acts as the Liaison, providing a sounding board for ideas, communicating the needs and desires of the students to the theatre, and advocating on their behalf.  Membership in YAG is achievement-based, and generally new inductees are nominated by current members. 

     But it’s not all work and no play!  The Young Ambassadors’ Guild is a family, too.  They support each other, inspire each other, challenge each other, and have fun together.  YAG hosts workshops and performance events, and they hope to broaden the circle of experiences to include master’s classes and visits to other theatres to learn about the different ways organizations approach the same art form.

     So now that you know more about this unique and exciting organization, take some time to check out the photos below!

YAG Chair Brandon inducts his sister, Shannon

Patrick receives his certificate of induction

Olivia is thrilled to be in YAG!

New inductee Ashley accepts her certificate

Zoe accepts her Sunflower Award for always bringing positivity and a smile to YAG

Vice Chair Josh receives the Super YAGer award for exemplifying what YAG is all about

Outgoing Treasurer and graduating senior Jessie receives the George Award for Outstanding Dedication to YAG

Kaitlin Duley: Newly elected Treasurer, Special Snowflake, and Most Likely to Win at Life

YAG Secretary Libby: Most Likely to Come Up With a Better Name for This Award... But that wasn't very well written but that's ok because she'll write a new one

Brandon, demonstrating that he is Most Likely to Steal the Show

Member at Large Ursula is Most Likely to Laugh at Brandon's Lame Jokes

Jake receives the award for being Most Likely to be Late to Receive This Award

Brandon gives outgoing education director Megan her superlative award: Most Likely to Influence Lots of People with her Complete and Utter Awesomeness

What's New in Education?

Education Update

Playwrights have been selected (and have begun writing) for the Emerging Artists’ Fall New Work about Charlie Chaplin.

On June 1, the Young Ambassadors’ Guild inducted its new members, changed over their executive board, and handed out awards. 

YAG also launched its Second Annual Sponsorship Campaign to raise funds in support of Education in Action programs at Wayside, and with a goal of funding future YAG functions (e.g. field trips to different theatres).  If you would like to sponsor the Young Ambassadors’ Guild and make education programming at Wayside Theatre possible, please contact YAG Liaison and Education Director Molly MacLagan at 540-869-1776, or eia@waysidetheatre.org.

The T. Carter Fussell Awards will be presented at 6:30pm at Wayside Theatre on June 7^th.  Participants and their families are invited to see Hank Williams Lost Highway after the awards ceremony.  Please be advised that there is live gunfire, adult language, and adult content.  For more information e-mail eia@waysidetheatre.org.  To reserve tickets please call the box office at 540-869-1776.

Coming up on July 9^th is the Summer Playwriting Intensive!

The Young Performers’ Workshop first summer session begins on July 16^th.  Performances to take place at 1:00pm on July 27^th.

Keep an eye out on the Education Announcements page for more news, and for photos of upcoming events!