Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Create and star in your own show!

This summer, the Patel Conservatory has created a one-of-a-kind experience and an incredible opportunity for young actors, singers and musicians.
Our music, theater and dance departments will collaborate to bring you an original musical production!

Students who enroll in our youth theater intensive will write their own musical, LOL: The Musical, under the guidance of guest director Rob Nash, a professional writer, actor and comedian.


Music students who enroll in the Summer Pit Orchestra will then write the accompanying score.
“The kids will have the ideas and the staff will guide them in writing what they want,” explained Gregory Ruffer, music chair for the Patel Conservatory.
This is a new experience at the Patel Conservatory that integrates our music, theater and dance departments. With our unique position of having all three disciplines under one roof, taught by professional working artists, students can learn from one another and gain a new understanding and respect for each craft.
Ruffer points out what a rare opportunity this will be for musicians, “For many kids, this will be the only time they’ll ever get the chance to write the accompanying score to a show. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Likewise, theater students will have the exceptional experience of writing their own material, having live accompaniment and working with a dance instructor from the Patel Conservatory dance department to choreograph the show.


“This is an invaluable opportunity for students to create a unique piece of musical theater from start to finish, as a team,” said Wendy Leigh, Straz Center vice president of education. “They will work together through the writing, set design, performance and all aspects of theater.” 

Students will learn about and participate in the process of bringing ideas on paper to a fully realized production. They’ll get an understanding of how to brainstorm ideas; turn them into plot, dialogue and songs; collaborate with other artists; work with musicians to bring their concepts to life and even stage and choreograph the show!
“It’s the ultimate creative experience,” said Ruffer.
The culmination of both classes will be the production of LOL: the Musical, July 14 and 15, 2011. (For tickets, call 813-222-STAR (7827).)
If you’d like to be a part of this amazing opportunity, the summer theater intensive is open to students in grades nine through adult and runs June 20 - July 15, 2011. The Summer Pit Orchestra experience is open to grades seven through college and runs from June 27 - July 15, 2011.
For registration information, call 813-222-1002.

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