Awareness Theatre Urgently Looking for Actors
CASAC’s Awareness Theatre is looking for actors and writers to work on a special project this summer. Working with the Department of Social Services and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition, the group is writing an original play to be recorded at the end of summer and performed live in the fall. The theme for the play is education and preparing for college or life outside of school.
“This is a unique opportunity for young people interested in theatre” says John Blackman, project director. “Young people get involved in plays all the time, sometimes in school, sometimes in the community. What makes this experience different is that they get to write the play. They are the creative force behind this production.”
Mr. Blackman explained that time will be spent looking at ideas about what education means to young people. Additionally, improvisation and workshops will be prepared to help bring their ideas to life on a stage. “Thinking outside the box, trying new ideas, sharing concepts, and experimenting can all be challenging and fun, and rarely are young people given such a unique opportunity, much less with the opportunity to have the community see what they’ve done.”
The goal for the project is to have a piece completed by the end of the summer that conveys the thoughts and feelings of local young people regarding education and their future as a result of that education. Pieces of the play will be recorded and the videos will be provided to area schools to play for English classes. The play itself will be performed live for participants at a fall Youth Conference. From there, it will be offered to communities as a way to start a dialogue about their specific schools, and what they can do, individually and as a community, to offer the best educational opportunity for youth.
Young people interested in participating in the project should be in high school or early college. Two project work groups will be formed, one in the Dunkirk area and one in the Jamestown area. Each group will meet once a week in the beginning but will increase rehearsal time as the project continues. Exact rehearsal times and days will be set when participant schedules have been obtained.
Those interested in learning more about the project are encouraged to attend an open meeting on July 12th at the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club at 4:00 PM, or a second meeting in at the Dunkirk Boys and Girls Club on July 13th at 4:00 PM. Parents and students may also contact Mr. Blackman at 664-3608.