Enlightened Theatrics

TO ENRICH AND EXPAND THE ARTS EXPERIENCE OF THE MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY THROUGH THEATRE ARTS.

THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES PRODUCED DURING 2023 INCLUDE:DEAR ELIZABETH (PROFESSIONAL MARCH 10-19), COULD YOU HUG A CACTUS? (EDUCATIONAL MAY 5-7), JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (PROFESSIONAL/EDUCATIONAL DEC 8-17) OUR PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS FOCUS ON OUR VALUES OF EMPLOY. WE PROVIDE CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS THE ABILITY TO GAIN SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE AS EXPERTS IN THEIR CRAFTS. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCE TO EVERYONE IN THE AGE CONTINUUM. OUR EDUCATIONAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS FOCUS ON CULTIVATING SKILLS FOR PERFORMERS AT EVERY AGE. WITH SPECIFIC SHOWS GEARED TOWARD EACH AGE GROUP, LOCAL YOUTH TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, LEARNING THROUGH THE KINESTHETIC ACT OF PERFORMING MUSICAL THEATRE. THESE STUDENTS COME OUT OF THE PROGRAM WITH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF NOT ONLY THEATRE, BUT ALSO TEAMWORK, COLLABORATION AND TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS. THEIR FINAL ASSESSMENT FOR UNDERSTANDING IS BROUGHT INTO A CULMINATION OF PERFORMANCES FOR THEIR PARENTS AND LOVED ONES.

THROUGH ET'S ALL ABILITIES CAMPS, STUDENTS INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND INTERPERSONAL, SOCIAL, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS BY EXPLORING IMPROVISATION, ROLE PLAY, CHARACTER BUILDING AND SCRIPT WRITING. EACH 90-MINUTE CLASS IS BROKEN INTO FIVE 15-MINUTE SEGMENTS AND COVERS SUCH TOPICS AS 1) MOVEMENT: BEING COMFORTABLE IN MOVEMENT AND OWN PERSONAL SPACE; 2) TEAMWORK: ENSEMBLE BUILDING, WORKING TOGETHER; 3) THEATER: WHAT IS THEATER, WHAT IS THE WORLD OF THEATER; 4) IMPROVISATION, HOW TO IMPROV AND BE A STORYTELLER; 5) ENVIRONMENT: USE OF BODIES IN ESTABLISHED AND DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS; 6) CHARACTER ASSESSMENT; AND 7) ULTIMATELY BUILDING A STORY: TAKING ALL OF THE ELEMENTS LEARNED AND PUTTING THOSE THINGS TOGETHER. IF STUDENTS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, CAMPS CONCLUDE WITH A SMALL, PRIVATE PRESENTATION FOR FAMILIES.CAMPS WILL AGAIN BE LED BY SARAH OLBRANTZ, AN MA CANDIDATE IN DRAMA THERAPY AT ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY IN SEATTLE, WA. OLBRANTZ PLANS CAMPS TO INCLUDE BREAKS, SENSORY SENSITIVE ROOMS, AND A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN, PLAY AND DEVELOP CREATIVE TEAM-BUILDING SKILLS. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM LAST YEAR, ET IS ALSO SEEKING QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABILITY FIELD TO SUPPORT THE CAMPS. ALL ABILITIES CAMP (MARCH 27-31) ENLIGHTENED THEATRICS IS PROUD TO BE THE ONLY PACIFIC NORTHWEST LOCATION FOR BROADWAY DREAMS' SUMMER INTENSIVES, A 6-DAY TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR LOCAL STUDENTS IN ADDITION TO STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. ALL WILL TRAIN IN VOICE, ACTING, AND DANCE WITH 3-4 BROADWAY FACULTY, CULMINATING A PERFORMANCE THAT FEATURES BOTH STUDENTS AND BROADWAY PERFORMERS. LOCAL TECHNICIANS AND TEACHING ARTISTS WILL BE HIRED TO CREATE THE SCENIC, LIGHTING, SOUND, AND ACCOMPANIMENT FOR THE REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. STUDENTS AND FACULTY COMING IN FROM OUT OF TOWN WILL PATRONIZE OUR LOCAL HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, MAKING THIS EXPERIENCE AN EXTREMELY FRUITFUL ENDEAVOR FOR OUR COMMUNITY. BROADWAY DREAMS (JULY 9)OUR ANNUAL SUMMER CAMPS PROVIDE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF PERFORMANCE. THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR STUDENTS TO ATTAIN NEW SKILLS, SHARPEN OLD ONES, OR TRY THEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME. IN SMALL GROUPS, STUDENTS CAN GET HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR THEIR FUTURE AS THEATRE ARTISTS. SUMMER CAMPS (AUGUST 14-25)"STUDENT INVESTMENT INTO THE CLASS GOES DIRECTLY BACK TO THEM IN PROVIDING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO EDUCATE, INVESTING IN PERFORMANCE RIGHTS, AND THEIR OWN PERSONAL MEMORIES.