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SUMMER MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
CHARLOTTE, NC PROJECT FOR YOUTH A SUCCESS
The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation in partnership with Communities In Schools and Winterfield Elementary School, a Title 1 school of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System, has just completed a hugely successful summer musical theatre workshop for young people ages 8-14.
Over a two-week period from August 5 to 16, 2013, students with interest and ability in the performing arts -- although most had little if any previous experience -- were immersed in an intensive 10-session workshop in the performing arts and the creative process. For five hours each day, students participated in theatre games, discovered the relationship between sound and text in storytelling, developed their own small scenes and monologues, explored stage movement as a means of expressing character, and worked on vocal technique and the integration of singing with acting and movement in producing a short theatre piece.
Taught by concert pianist and Broadway musical director John Coffey, former Twyla Tharp dancer and martial arts master Stephanie Foster, and actor and producer William Watkins, the workshop was based on one co-created, developed, and taught by Earl Wentz for 13 years at New England's South Shore Conservatory of Music. Exploration and process-oriented rather than one geared to a final finished production, the workshop built towards a showcase of learnings in front of an overflow crowd on August 16. Four musical numbers, a script based on the writings and creative character explorations of the students, and even some karate fight scenes that were integrated into the story and a short violin solo for one of the students who is also studying the violin were included in the presentation.
By definition, Title 1 schools have at least a 75% poverty level based on the number of children designated as economically disadvantaged. The Foundation required all students to pay something for the workshop and "tuition" was based on a generous sliding scale to assure that no child who wanted to participate and learn would be turned away because of inability to pay.
We are so proud of the achievements of these bright, enthusiastic students, each of whom is gifted in his or her own way. And hugely grateful to the instructors, the energetic volunteers, and for the generosity of those who contributed or otherwise provided for healthy snacks for our breaks.
Learn more and view a photo presentation. | 
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