Teen ensemble forms for next musical
The Sonoma Theatre Alliance’s Teens ‘N Training (TNT) program is offering a series of Ensemble Training Workshops on Sundays in November and December that will culminate in a full production of “Carrie: The Musical” in February 2015.
Newly appointed TNT Education Director Libby Oberlin, MA will lead the workshops. For her, “ensemble theater is a more complete way of experiencing how gratifying and challenging it is to learn, grow, and create with a group of fellow performers.”
Oberlin has a master’s degree in educational theatre from New York University and is founder of The Theatre School, which offers classes for grades K through 12 throughout the Bay Area. “Teens ‘N Training is a unique opportunity for young performers in our area,” she said, “to learn what it means to be a well-rounded actor and vital ensemble member.
The workshops begin Sunday, November 9. Due to the mature themes in “Carrie: The Musical,” the program is for youth ages 13 and up.
Following Oberlin’s recent Teens ‘N Training Weekend Intensive in September, Marie Unhehmer, parent of a 13-year-old participant, said “the final presentation was very moving. I had tears in my eyes for the entire performance. To see these young men and women talking about their bodies and minds the way they did was so touching. I loved the program,
Ensemble training concludes in mid-December with auditions for “Carrie: The Musical,” directed by James Nassef. On the East Coast, Nassef directed high school productions of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Les Miserables (School Edition),” and “Godspell” along with several middle school productions. Most recently he was a teaching artist for Fairfield’s Missouri Street Theatre Summer Program and its youth production of “The Wiz.” An accomplished actor, Sonomans will remember Nassef’s portrayal of the wall-climbing Ethan in last summer’s eTc! production of “The Full Monty.”
As for “Carrie: The Musical,” Nassef said Teens ‘N Training is fortunate to be mounting a production that is so relatable to young performers. “The characters in Carrie go through struggles that teens face on a daily basis,” he said. “The search for identity and acceptance, as well as bullying issues, is all tangible aspects of growing up that young actors can now bring to the surface in this daring production.”
Sonoma Theatre Alliance Executive Director Jaime Love is looking forward to the collaboration of teacher and director. “Libby and James are first rate theater professionals and we are truly blessed to have them take leadership roles in Teens ‘N Training.”
Tuition is $400. In addition to funding this program, a grant from the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley will provide several full and partial scholarships. For Teens ‘N Training tuition/scholarship information and to register, please contact Libby Oberlin at [email protected] or call 917.821.6414.
