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Champion's of Children's Theater Company THREE TIME TO NY AWARD WINNER HINTON BATTLE (Miss Saigon, the movie, Dreamgirls, and The Wiz to name a few) who directed Terms of Dismemberment Written By DOROTHY MARCIC, Co-Written by CTC's Artistic Director, MEHR MANSURI, and Composed by CTC's resident composer FRANK SANCHEZ has graciously performed on our musical and audio book recording for our original play, Henry Box Brown.
*A special thanks also goes out to Jennifer Fouche and Tracey Conyer Lee from the cast of Sister's (Also Produced by Battle) who also lent their amazing talents to the recording of Henry Box Brown music and audio book recording.
* In addition to his amazing contribution to the audio book, which is an essential teaching tool in our production kit, BATTLE has given us a commitment to take part in our next CTC Benefit in honor of Black History.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Special Thanks goes to
CAMERON MACKINTOSH & SHIDAN MAJIDI
For naming CTC as their favorite charity!
and to
NBC Universal Pictures for their contribution to CTC
on Mr. Mackintosh's behalf
Cameron Mackintosh, Broadway producer along with NBC Universal will be producing a film adaptation of the successful Broadway Musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel LES MISERABLES. Be sure to see LES MISERABLES the movie soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Special Thanks also goes to Frederic Gershon
for his generous contribution towards our
Rainn Wilson Auction Benefit We Would also like to Congratulate him for winning the Special 2012 Tony Award Honors for Excellence
Federic Gershon, founder of
 | | Rainn Wilson, star of the hit series 'The Office' sings highlights from Yertle The Turtle with Braodway stars: (left to right) Loresa Lacenta, Cary Mitchell, Michael Harley, Brian Golub, and Debra Lee Daco |
Musical Theater International purchased tickets for all of his employs at MTI for our Rainn Wilson Benefit
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A continued thanks goes to
ABC Planet and Home/Paulette Cole, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Fraydun Foundation, & Theodore & Renee Weiller Foundation
For their continued support
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Children's Theater Company
at the UN General Assembly
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CTC gave a f eatured performance at the United Nations General Assembly as part of the presentation for WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2012
Congratulations to each and every child, youth, parent and CTC staff who took part in this amazing performance for heads of state, dignitaries and the President of the UN and Secretary General of the United Nations.
The Children's Theater Company presented quotes from historical figures, peace makers, and from different faiths. One World was led by Lory Lazarus, the song's composer whose stirring song, along with the kids' soulful singing, brought tears to the audience. It was truly a highlight of the season, when our Company Members received a standing ovation at this prestigious event.
Watch a clip of the Children's Theater Company's performance at the UN now
Note: Please look for the TIME LINE to see us at 02:03:00-- 02:18:00
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Congratulations to All Cast Members, Parents, and Staff for the completion of an
Amazing Fall/Winter 2011 Season!!!
We would like to officially thank all of our Cast Members, Parents, Staff, and Supporters for all of their hard work and dedication and for putting on a successful production of five musicals led by Artistic Director, Mehr Mansuri:
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Henry 'Box' Brown
Written by Mehr Mansuri & Jill Bolstridge, Music and lyrics by Frank Sanchez, Eric Dozier & Mehr Mansuri
Co-Directed by Navell Redwine in NYC
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Moustapha as 'Henry' and Tiara as 'Nancy'
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Nia leading the cast of Henry 'Box' Brown
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Kunka Bunka and the Rotten Royal Rascals
Written by Mehr Mansuri, Music& Lyrics by Frank Sanchez, Lory Lazarus, & Mehr Mansuri
Directed by Kara Ayn Napolitano in NYC
Directed by Alisha Desai, and Nessa Norich in Valley Stream
 | | Jacquline and Imayah battling in Kunka Bunka |
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Razuul, Enajeona, and Fabian as Royal Rascals
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Ugly Duckling Adaptation by Mehr Mansuri & Jill Bolstridge, Based on Original Story by Hans Christian Andersen, Music and lyrics by Frank Sanchez and Mehr Mansuri Co-Directed by Carrie Haugh, & Tamara Geisler in NYC Co-Directed by Alisha Desai, Nessa Norich, & Mirirai Sithole in Valley Stream
 | | Jay "Sebsatien" in the Ugly Duckling |
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Zorell & Nailah bullies in the Ugly Duckling
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introducing Our Wonderful Artistic Staff...
A special thanks goes out to our Fall/Winter 2011 Artistic Staff. We were thrilled to have them join us this past season :  ALISHA DESAI, Associate Director : This was Alisha Desai's first season as a teaching artist with CTC. Alisha is a dancer, singer, actor, figure skater, and educator. She studied theater and performing arts at Sarah Lawrence College. Currently, she is part of 2 different dance companies; The IndoRican Multicultural Dance Project and Jiva Performing Arts. She specializes in Bollywood and Bharartanatyam (Indian Classical) dance forms. Recently, Alisha has appeared in 'The Death of Don Juan' a modern opera by Elodie Lauten and 'Karma Road' a film by Mihir Pathak.  CARRIE HAUGH, Co-Artistic Director : This season, Carrie was thrilled to be joining the incredible team at The Children's Theater Company. She just returned to NYC after living in Mexico for a year, where she obtained a Diploma in Spanish as a Second Language, worked on theater projects in the community with children about peace and tolerance and performed in several plays. Carrie also lived in Austin, Texas last fall working in production and casting. Carrie worked on the set of Sesame Street for 7 seasons casting and coaching the children and also running acting workshops in NYC. She worked on Sesame Street Domestic Production, Elmo's World, Home videos, International Voice Overs, many outreach projects and also helped with Sesame Workshop's The New Electric Company. She is a professional judge for The Cute Kid.com. Carrie has a BA in Theater from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has studied improvisation with The Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City. Carrie has performed across the globe including touring English as a Second Language Theater in Spain, The New York Fringe Festival and multiple original roles off-off Broadway. She has also worked with ETNY, being a presenter and bringing theater to ESL audiences here in NYC. She can also be seen regularly as an on-air host in both English and Spanish at Mt. Sinai Hospital's Kidzone TV. Carrie loves CTC's mission for using theater for community building and ethical education and is very happy to be working so closely with Mehr.
TAMARA GEISLER, Associate Director : Tamara Geisler studied at the Professional Performing Arts School, British American Dramatic Academy and received a Bachelors' Degree in English and Theater from Columbia University. She has been acting from the age of eight, and has performed in off-off Broadway productions, at Columbia University and in London. As a teaching artist, Tamara has taught about Mexican culture and theater in various museums and public schools around the city. KARA AYN N APOLITANO, Associate Director : In California, Kara Ayn directed musicals such as Joseph...Dreamcoat, Into the Woods, and Honk. In NYC she performed in the Best Playwrights Festival (Writopia Lab) A Grimm Reality (Theater 4 the people), and the children's musical Captain Marbles and His Acting Squad (Bleeker St Theater). She co-founded the theater company Drift in Act Out, producing two theater festivals including her musical Life Recital. She teaches Speech Level Singing and TriYoga. KaraaAyn.com NESSA NORI CH, Associate Director : Nessa Norich is a performer, writer and director. After receiving her B.A. in theater and anthropology from Barnard College she continued her studies in physical theater at the Jaques Lecoq International Theater School. At the end of her two years in Paris, nessa was hired to orchestrate the live entertainment at a 400-guest burlesque party at the Det NY Theater in Copenhagen. The success of this performance led to the creation of Quantum Bunkum a London-based collective. While in the UK, Nessa also performed in Janice Parker's 'Private Dancer,' a pieced that will be featured at the 2012 Cultural Olympiad Festival. Nessa has been commissioned to create site-specific performance art of the Lourve Museum in Paris, and the Whitechapel Gallery and thr Institute of Contemporary Art in London. She most recently co0wrote and performed in Dr. Apple's Last Lecture at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe. Nessa currently resides in NYC, where she founded the Tremor Theater Collective which recently produced their first original piece, The Rub directed by Ms. Norich as the Magic Futureobx. She is thrilled to be a teaching artist at Children's Theater Company. NAVELL RED WINE, Associate Director: Navell Redwine is no stranger to the world of ENTERTAINMENT, choreography, directing, and producing, consistently working over the last 10 years, Navell has appeared in front of the camera and taken the reigns behind the camera, but ultimately has taken most satisfaction and true fulfillment by working in the community and with the children and parents which dwell within them. Navell Redwine has performed all over the country in concerts singing and dancing on MTV, VH1, Disney, performing at Lincoln Center and even Madison Square Garden to name a few. "I've been in New York for over a decade now, after leaving Detroit (where I'm from) I don't take for granted the gift I have been given and the many gifts that have been given to me by others, I feel it is my responsibility to pass it on and do so with a smile I LOVE THAT I DO..." MIRIRAI SITH OLE, Assistant Director: Mirirai Sithole is a senior acting major from Framingham, MA currently in her final semester at Adelphi University. Previously she had directed This Property is Condemned by Tennessee Williams, was the Assistant Director for Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice in the fall of 2011, and will be directing Ziggy's Heart by Joel Doty for the American Globes Theatre's 18th Annual NYC 15 Minute Play Festival in April. Some of her past credits at Adelphi include The Crucible, The Vagina Monologues, and Street Scene. She is so thankful to The Children's Theater Company for this opportunity to work and learn. "..To thine own self be true." 
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Award Recipients & Casting News
First off, we would like to thank our dedicated Youth Interns:
The following cast members received engraved medals and certificates for their Overall Achievement Award for Outstanding Citizenship:
Avi Blum Cornelia Edwards Branden Hawkins Amara Jimenez Xavier Means
    
Jacquline James (see picture below) won then Best Written Bio Award:
JACQ ULINE JAMES- Age 8- I would like to live in a world where women are treated equal and are respected. A world where women are respected not only as mothers but as people who have made a difference. Without women, there would be not world. I would like to grow up to be like my mother who teaches me how important it is to treat people with respect and to demand respect. My mother also teaches me about the women from the past who spent their lives making a difference so that we can have a better life. I will always appreciate those women! I love to sing, act, read mysteries and play the piano. My love for the arts lead me to the Children's Theater Company where I can bring my hobbies to life. I love being part of a group where I am able to be myself. The Character Ed. classes have helped me learn the importance of community service and helping others.
Awards for the Best United Nations Essay Contest goes to:
Razuul Bey Issac Davis Jr Isabella Gonzalez Mariya Jimenez Natalie Vivar     
Talent Rep and Casting News
Bernard Telsey Casting and Tara Rubin Casting have selected several CTC kids to audition for the Broadway productions of Annie, Once On This Island, & Les Miserables
Congratulations for the following kids for getting Call Backs on their auditions:
Imayah H. Zorell H. Nailah I. Jacqueline J. Alyssa L. Cornelia E.
   
Congratulations to CTC Company Member, Even  Latkovic, for auditioning and booking a job with The Center For Contemporary Opera.
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The Children's Theater Company- Peekskill in
The New York Times!
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CTC's Peekskill, NY chapter had a featured article in The New York Times
After 2 years of working with Mehr Mansuri and Co- Artistic Director, Jill Bolstridge at the flagship center in NYC, Ridvan Foxhall, with the assistance of Jill Bolstridge, launched the Peekskill, NY Chapter. Ridvan, the Chapter Coordinator of CTC Peekskill is now leading the children, youth, and dedicated artists into their 7th year. Congratulations to the Peekskill team, who include founding artistic associates Susan Cody & Kristy Boyd. For more information on our Peekskill Chapter
The Children's Theater Company in Chengdu, China!
Bill Baker, who was a participant in the CTC Urbana, IL Chapter, led by Chapter Coordinator, Helen Katz, has now moved with his family to China, and is assisting a unique cultural and language institute in forming a CTC Chengdu Chapter.
CTC's Urbana is still going strong in its 4th year. They have just completed a wonderful production of Henry Box Brown, which received write-ups in their local paper.
For more information on our Urbana Chapter
CANS NOT CANDY! Halloween for the Hungry!
Fall 2011 Service Project in NYC and Valley Stream
Inst ead of asking for candy for themselves, the weekend of Halloween, cast members from both NYC and Valley Stream dressed in their Halloween Costumes and asked the public to donate "cans not candy." They were collecting canned food which they then donated for the hungry and homeless population.
The CTC Youth trudged through the blizzard that weekend, but never lost enthusiasm as they chanted "Cans Not Candy." Due to their resilience and persistence and the generous (even if annoyed) New Yorkers and Long Islanders, the cast members were able to raise a total of about $600.00 in canned food to donate to City Harvest.
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The 2011 Art Auction Benefit was a great success
Lead by
Formidable Artists
Alex Amini
Ludwig Anton Baumgartner
Ross Bleckner
Paul Chan
Jim Drain
Hooper Dunbar
Louise Fishman
Adam Fuss
Sophie von Hellermann
Alfredo Jaar
Michael Joo
Farzam Kamalabadi
Mathias Kessler
James Nares
Shirin Neshat
Jack Pi erson
Tim Rollins
Barbara Rosenzweig
Ashkan Sahihi
Behrooz Shahidi
Jerry Spagnoli
Ultra Violet
Thanks again to MPD-NYC Restaurant
for providing delicious cocktails and hors d'oeuvrs and Gloria Naftali from Chelsea Arts Building Jessie Harris of the Harris Lieberman Gallery for providing a wonderful venue
A Special Thanks goes to Honorary Co-Chairs Shohreh Aghdashloo (Emmy Winner & Oscar Nominee) Carol Greene (Greene-Naftali Gallery) Fred & Jennifer Manocherian (Fraydun Foundation) Robert & Mireille Manocherian Gloria Naftali
Honorary Committee Peggy Kerry (U.S. Delegate to the United Nations) Rainn Wilson (Emmy Winning Series "The Office")
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 | Leanne Barrineau, Peggy Werns, Jen Wilson lead the auction table at the
2011-12 Art Auction Benefit
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BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
Vafa Akhavan
Terry Mann
Alan & Nancy Manocherian
Barbara Manocherian
Kim Manocherian
Pari Olver
Moujan & Elham Vahdat
STEERING COMMITTEE
Leanne Barrineau
Karida Griffith
Carrie Haugh
Sarfraz "Junior" Husain
Mehr Mansuri
Pari Olver
Pete Tobey
Lily Zhang
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BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Heidi Broumand
John & Judy Manocherian
Farnaz Mansuri
Hormoz Sabet
Reja Sabet
Hamid Samandari
KEY SUPPORTERS
National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
NYC Dept. of Youth
United Way
New York Health & Racquet Club
ABC Planet & Home Foundation
Theodore & Renee Weiller Foundation
Andrew Sabin Family Foundation
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Jacquline as Chatterina in Kunka Bunka
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Cornelia and Destiny in Henry 'Box' Brown
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Amara as Inventovic in Kunka Bunka
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Nia as Chatterina in Kunka Bunka
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Announcing Auditions
for
Children's Theater Spring/Summer Season 2012
In NYC and Valley Stream
The season will run from April 28th through July 14 in NYC
Spring Season Calendar 2012 NYC
and April 29th-July 1st in Valley Stream
Spring Season Calendar 2012 Valley Stream
Auditions for the upcoming season will be held on:
- Saturday, April 14th and 21st at 11am at our Manhattan location:
53 East 11th St.btwn B'way & University, NYC, 10003 - Sunday, April 29th at 1pm at our Valley Stream location:
11 West Jamaica Ave, Valley Stream, NY 11580
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Tiarra Gibbs leads the Henry Box Brown ensemble co-directed
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Avi Blum and Imayah Hawkins as Rotten Royal Rascals
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African Dance choreographed by Niyyirrah El
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Alyssa Laurenceau as Proudeska in Kunka Bunka & Rotten Royal Rascals
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Please RSVP via email (childrenstheatercompany@gmail.com) for our upcoming season's auditions and ask your child to prepare:
- Something spoken and something sung. It is best if it is something they are already very familiar with. It can be anything from Twinkle Twinkle to the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Wear dance clothes and dance shoes. No dress shoes or flip flops
- Electronic gadgets and cell phones must be stored away and not on your child's person at any time during CTC's rehearsals.
Please anticipate a full day of drama, dance, music and sample ethical education on audition days.
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Upcoming Productions
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Spring / Summer 2012 Season
MAIN STAGE PERFORMANCES
At CTC New York City: Performances: June 30th, July 7th, and July 14, 2012
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Dizzy Gillespie Theater in New York
Music & Lyrics by FRANK SANCHEZ & MEHR MANSURI
Told in the voice of Roger Williams' young daughter, Mary, who witnesses the court case in Boston where her father is accused of standing up for preaching for religious freedom and against the Europeans' right to Indian land. In perhaps the most dramatic period of American history, and opening with a dramatic court hearing, Providence tells the story of Roger Williams who was driven from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 to expulsion into the wilderness, where he survives with the help of his Narraganset Indian friends and goes on to found the settlement of Providence, Rhode Island. Providence tells the story of a man's integrity, conviction and belief in human rights and diversity in all forms, race, ethnicity as well as religion.
R ESCUEME: A Musical History of Women 
Written By DR. DOROTH Y MARCIC
Based on the Book RESPECT an d the Musical Respect: A Musical Journey by D r. Dorothy Marcic
For more than the first half of the last century, the voice of women in Top-40 popular music has been one of neediness and dependency. "I'll do anything for you; just be my baby-even if you're no good and treat me bad- just LOVE me and I'll stand by my man; " to landmark songs, like "I will survive" ...R.E.S.P.E.C.T is the musical evolution of women in songs tracking the Top 40 from 1900 to modern day.
**Dizzy Gillespie Theatre Space Grants provided by The Baha'i Unity Center.
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Who Is Children's Theater?
Mission and Vision
Founded in 1 999 in New York City, and in 1989 in Los Angeles, the Children's Theatre Company is a non-profit 501(C)(3) educational theater organization and publisher of over 15 original and professionally recorded musicals designed to complement an ethical and social studies curriculum for young audiences. Committed to character and ethical development, CTC is rooted in the belief that through the incomparable magic of theater combined with a robust ethical education curriculum, children and youth can indeed become the voices of positive change. Serving over 4,000 children in underserved populations nationwide, CTC's musicals correlate with a social studies curriculum according to State Learning Standards. Professional artists direct four age groups at over ten after-school programs and community-based chapters in a multi-disciplinary program which consists of Drama, Dance, Musical Theatre, Choral and Ethical Education.
The Children's Theatre Company is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization funded in part by generous contributions by * National Endowment for the Arts * New York State Council on the Arts * Department of Youth and Community Development * Fraydun Foundation * Jack Lenz * Amir & Rosita Manocherian Family Foundation * Reja Sabet *
*Andrew Sabin Family Foundation * Theodore & Renee Weiler Foundation*
"Dizzy Gillespie" Space Grant provided by The Baha'i Unity Center
    
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