Enrollment is now open at Santa Monica Playhouse for the Kids-In-Theatre Fall Workshop for youngsters between the ages of 3 and 18. Now in its 31st year, this theatre program, part of the Playhouse Educational Theatre Conservatory, offers young people the opportunity of working with professional actors who have devoted their lives to making theatre. Workshop activities include singing, dance, body movement, make-up, costuming, improvisation, theatre games and culminate in an original performance in front of a live audience.
To date, more than ten thousand students have participated in the program, and many now bring their own children to the Playhouse to become a second generation of budding young thespians. Several members of the teaching staff also got their first taste of theatre in the program. Workshop Director Heather Ross joined as a student at age twelve. Graham Silbert, the youngest member of the teaching staff and a junior at Hamilton Performing Arts Magnet, has been a member for more than eight years, and has performed in numerous Playhouse productions both in the USA and internationally. And Cheryl Jennings, the Playhouse's Director of Education for more than twenty-seven years, joined the workshop while still a student at Santa Monica High School.
The workshop sessions meet on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday after school, commencing Oct. 2. For the younger students (3-6), the Saturday morning Pre-School Workshop begins Oct. 21. For information call the Education Dept. at (310) 394-9779 ext. 673.
The Playhouse will present the world premiere of A Hansel and Gretel Halloween on Oct. 7 on the main stage. Written and directed by co-artistic directors Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo, with music and lyrics by Rudie and M. Wrather, the show has costumes by Ashley Hayes. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 PM and 3 PM through Jan. 28, 2001. For tickets and information call (310) 394-9779 ext. 2 or visit santamonicaplayhouse.com. Tickets may also be purchased at www.seatadvisor.com
-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
