If anyone is curious yet about what plays NBYT will produce in the 2013-14 season (our fourth!), we’ll tell you this: they’ll be announced at the performances of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and they’ll include some stories of great journeys and adventures!
Because of the great number of talented kids and teens that have come to auditions, we’re planning to produce more plays too! Our “Kids on Stage!” series will continue to have a December production, a spring production, and a summer musical program. We’re also adding a “LITTLE Kids on Stage!” series, so young actors ages 6 to 9 can take some lead roles in some shorter, simply-staged shows. (Our Stage Performance classes on Saturday mornings will continue too, with three sections for various ages and levels of experience. We’re also planning to add a Musical Stage Performance class!)
So, that leaves us with the Teen Company. We can’t tell you what the teen group will do next year, because teens themselves are invited to help choose the shows. Here’s how it’ll work:
On Thursday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. we’re going to have an open meeting to collect ideas for shows. Anyone age 12 to 18 is welcome to attend. At that meeting, we’ll pick four scripts that the majority of us are interested in. NBYT will order scripts (if we don’t have one already) and everyone (including anyone new at any time) will be invited to a table reading to read and discuss each play as a choice for the Teen Company 2013-14 season.
The schedule of readings will be (and we’ll fill in title once we’ve chosen them):
- Thursday, July 11, at 6:00 p.m. – First play reading
- Thursday, July 18, at 6:00 p.m. – Second play reading
- Thursday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m. – Third play reading
- Thursday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m. – Fourth play reading
At each reading, parts will be randomly assigned as people arrive. We’ll also order some pizza—anyone can chip in if they’d like, and can also bring drinks or other snacks to have or share.
Anyone can attend the first meeting and play readings, but calling ahead is preferred so we know about how many people to expect.
Now, start thinking of some good ideas!
Summer Program Offerings
NBYT is offering programs for children and teens ages 5 through 18 this summer. Registration has begun for all programs.
For children ages 7 through 14, New Britain Youth Theater’s summer production will be Once on This Island Jr. Rehearsals will be held over a four-week half-day program on Mondays through Fridays from July 1 through 26 (except for July 4). Rehearsal hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All children who register will be cast in the show, but auditions will be scheduled in June to place children in roles. Over the course of the program, the cast will rehearse the performance—including music and choreography—and will also help to make some of the props and costumes for the show. Rehearsals and performances will be held at Jefferson Elementary School on Horse Plain Road in New Britain near the Farmington border. Registration for the program is open to children from any town. Performances of the musical will be held on July 26, 27 and 28.
With catchy Caribbean music and a story loosely based on the original tale of The Little Mermaid, Once on This Island Jr. tells of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel returns to his family, Ti Moune is guided by the gods who rule the island on a journey to test the strength of her love. Once on This Island Jr. has many parts for children of all levels of experience. A strong chorus is needed and children will also play island animals, trees, and even a fierce storm.
For children ages 5 through 10, New Britain Youth Theater is also offering two special sessions of its popular Stage Performance Class. Each session will meet for one week, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Trinity-on-Main Performance Center. The first session will meet July 8 through 12; the second session will be July 15 through 19. Both sessions will be themed around different Caribbean folk tales.
Stage Performance classes are designed to combine the instruction of drama classes with the excitement of being in a show. They’re ideal for younger actors, children who want their first experience onstage—or a little more experience—or even older students who want to practice their stage skills or who aren’t able to audition and rehearse for NBYT’s productions. In each summer session, children will explore acting techniques, voice, movement and improvisation in order to develop focus and learn to work together as an ensemble. Small group sizes give each child quality instruction and ensure that everyone has a featured part in the performance. Small-scale performances, with simple costumes and props, are held at the end of class each week and are open to family and friends at no cost.
Also this summer, the NBYT Teen Company will hold a Summer Reading series on Thursday evenings in July. Ages 12 through 18 will be invited to participate in group readings of plays under consideration for Teen Company productions in the 2013-14 season. The NBYT Teen Company is a program in which teens can become involved in choosing, producing and promoting their own theater. The program offers leadership opportunities and a chance for teens to do the shows they want to do, all while under the guidance of NBYT directors.
For more information about any NBYT program, visit the NBYT website, email info@nbyt.org, or call us at 860-515-8115.
NBYT Production and Design Workshops Continue
Production and Design Workshops for ages 12 through 18 will resume in May on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
The workshops are a way to learn more about all of the elements that go into getting a show on stage. We’ll answer questions like:
- How does a production team analyze a script?
- How do designers use color, pattern and style to create a mood, time, and place?
- How does a make-up artist create different character looks and special effects?
- How does a producer bring it all together and estimate how much the show will cost?
Although design, production and technical theater are must-know subjects for anyone interested in directing, producing and work behind-the-scenes, a little knowledge also gives actors an edge whether they’re working with community theaters or going on to professional careers on stage.
All cast and crew in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Comic Shorts can attend for free, but should still pre-register by emailing classes@nbyt.org. Cost for others for the remaining four-week series is only $20 when prepaid—five bucks for each class! Individual workshops may also be taken at $10 for a single class.
Here is the schedule of weekly topics:
- Set Design — May 2
- Costume Design — May 9
- Make-up Design and Effects — May 16
- Producing, Directing and Bringing It All Together — May 23
Workshops are provided thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. For more information and registration information, please call 860-515-8115 or email info@nbyt.org.
New Summer Class Added!
NBYT’s popular Stage Performance classes will have two one-week summer sessions in July for ages 5 through 10 with a theme of Caribbean Folk Tales! Each participant will also receive one child’s ticket to attend the NBYT production of Once on This Island Jr. at Jefferson Elementary School on July 26, 27 or 28!
Stage Performance classes are designed to combine the instruction of drama classes with the excitement of being in a show. They’re ideal for younger actors, children who want their first experience onstage—or a little more experience—or even older students who want to practice their stage skills or who aren’t able to audition and rehearse for NBYT’s productions. In each summer session, children will explore acting techniques, voice, movement and improvisation in order to develop focus and learn to work together as an ensemble. Small group sizes will give each child quality instruction and will ensure that everyone has a featured part in the performance. Small-scale performances, with simple costumes and props, will be held at the end of class each week and will be open to family and friends at no cost.
Session One: Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12
Session Two: Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19
Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Trinity-on-Main Performance Center
Cost per child: $100 for one session, or $190 for both sessions
A registration form to download and print is available here. Space is limited, so we recommend registering early. For more information or answers to any other questions about NBYT, please call (860) 515-8115.
Want to Work with NBYT?
NBYT is looking for Teaching Artists, Teaching Assistants, a Program Assistant, and Interns for the summer! If you or anyone you know may be interested, please email us.
SUMMER TEACHING ARTIST AND TEACHING ASSISTANT POSITIONS
New Britain Youth Theater seeks Teaching Artists and Teaching Assistants for extended day programs following summer school morning sessions. Program dates are July 8 through August 2. Program hours are 12:00 or 12:30 p.m. (depending on school placement) to 3:00 p.m. Teaching Artists must have experience working with elementary or middle school age children. Artists with specific experience in acting, dance, masks, or puppetry are especially sought. Teaching Assistants may be current students or recent graduates of theater or arts education programs.
Teaching Artists are responsible for lesson planning under the guidance of the Executive Artistic Director; leading warm-ups, instruction, rehearsals and other activities; preparing for “share day” performances; and supervision of program participants.
Teaching Assistants will assist with warm-ups, acting instruction, rehearsals, and other planned activities; will support “share day” performances; and will supervise program participants.
All candidates must be reliable team players and be responsible for their own transportation.
PROGRAM ASSISTANT WITH DANCE OR MOVEMENT EXPERIENCE
New Britain Youth Theater seeks a Program Assistant with choreography or stage movement experience for its summer production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Program dates are July 1 through July 28. Program hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. The program will also include performances on Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27, at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 28, at 2:00 p.m.
The Program Assistant will assist with warm-ups, rehearsals, and other planned activities, will support performances as needed, and will help to supervise program participants. The assistant will also be responsible for staging simple dance and movement sequences for the 7 to 14 year-old cast. Students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
INTERNSHIPS
NBYT also seeks interns interested in education, production, or administrative positions. Available work includes teaching assistance, assistant stage management, marketing, fund raising, and more. Positions are available during the fall or spring semesters or summer. Hours and commitment are flexible. Interns are unpaid, but NBYT will cooperate with schools and colleges to provide academic credit or community service credit if available.
TO APPLY FOR ANY POSITION, please send a resume by email to jobs@nbyt.org. No phone inquiries please.
IMPROV CLASS Begins February 16!
On Saturday, February 16, NBYT will begin its first improv comedy class!
Introduction to Improv is designed to give participants of age 12 to 18 a basic understanding of improvisational theater concepts such as story building, environmental awareness, saying “yes,” and making and accepting offers. The group will be introduced to many short-form improv games designed to build teamwork and reinforce the basic concepts. No prior experience in theater or improv is necessary, and participants will be able to take what they learn and use it to not only become better actors, but also better listeners and public speakers.
A short performance will be held at the end of the final class and will be open to family and friends at no cost.
Introducction to Improv will meet at Trinity-on-Main Performance Center on Saturday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to noon for ten weeks. Registration is open to residents of any town. The program cost is $100 for the full ten weeks. For a Registration Form to complete and mail, please click here.
The Plays of COMIC SHORTS
Interested in auditioning for the NBYT Teen Company production of Comic Shorts on February 10 or 11? Here are descriptions of the seven plays that the production will include.
Americansaint by Adam LeFevre
Directed by Raymond Arnold
In this whimsical short play, a Catholic priest journeys to Vermont to investigate rumors of saintly activity by an irreverent local 13 year-old girl.
Attack of the Moral Fuzzies by Nancy Beverly
Directed by Carmine Lavieri
Beth comes on the fantasy game show “Morality Made Easy” in an attempt to shed her anxieties one by one. Dominated by a sleazy host and his assistant, the game posits that one can find inner peace with the decisions one makes – if one chooses not to think about the consequences or ponder the other possible decisions.
Bed and Breakfast by Richard Dresser
Directed by Christina LoBello
A new friendship begins between two women on vacation – one a newlywed on her honeymoon, the other a long-suffering wife of a man with severe memory loss.
Random Significance by Scott Auden
Directed by Becky Beth Benedict
Right before one of the largest lottery drawings in history, a man walks into a convenience store and buys a ticket with the numbers 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. A customer and cashier try to convince him that this ticket cannot win and get a comic lesson in probability.
The Road to Ruin by Richard Dresser
Directed by Jessica Hart
Cliff and his wife Connie are in trouble: their car has broken down. They don’t know what trouble is, though – until they try and get it fixed at Jimbo’s Garage.
Variations on the Death of Trotsky by David Ives
Directed by Nicki LaPorte
In comic fashion, revolutionary Leon Trotsky dies over and over again from a mountain-climber’s axe-wound received many hours prior. Ultimately, Trotsky talks directly to his assassin who, while posing as a gardener, actually helped make some flowers in the garden grow. This sparks Trotsky to make his final philosophical statements on human life before he dies a final time.
