Stages Back & 4th!
Youth theater Playwriting Conference
Sherman Community Players’ youth theatre, Theatricks, is hosting a very fun and active theatre conference, STAGES (Student Theatre Artists Generating Entertaining Scripts), this summer for the fourth year now.
The conference will be held June 8,9,10, 2017 in the historic Kidd-Key Auditorium in Sherman, TX. The focus of the three-day conference will be the creation of 10-minute one-act plays. The plays will be performed on the Kidd-Key stage on day three of the conference. Students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend.
Day One
The conference will kick-off with a workshop taught by award-winning playwright, Ruth Cantrell, who will share her expertise as she instructs participants in the process of writing a play.
Ruth currently works with the Dallas Children’s Theatre as a teacher. Before that she was the professor of Theatre Arts at New Mexico State University in Las Cruses, NM from 1985 to 2012 where she taught: Script Analysis, Acting I, Acting II, Acting Styles, Creative Dramatics, Playwriting, and Introduction to Theatre. Her plays are published by Youth Plays (www.youthplays.com). While in New Mexico, Ruth was awarded the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence and Achievements in the Arts (New Mexico’s Highest Arts Award).
Following the playwriting workshop, students will actively participate in a session on improvisational technique taught by professional Lindsay Goldapp. During this activity, students will learn tools which will aide them in the development of a storyline.
After lunch, participants will be divided into groups to begin writing 10-minute one-act plays. Each group will choose a storyline to base their play.
After dinner, there will be a fun MURDER MYSTERY social event for everyone to participate in hosted by Theatricks’ teen theatre group, the Supporting Cast.
Day Two
On day two, groups will finalize their scripts and turn them in to be judged by Ms. Cantrell. Local artists will be on hand to assist each group by providing information about the selection of props and costumes available for their performances.
After lunch, each group will rehearse and take turns on the Kidd-Key stage, with the assistance of a lighting and sound operator, to discuss technical preparations for their play productions. Groups will also finalize costume selections with the assistance of a local costumer.
The evening’s festivities will take place at The Rialto Theater where all can enjoy an interactive evening at a vintage movie theatre, viewing a classic one-man cowboy show, THE COWBOY AIN’T DEAD YET! (TCA traveling artist). Don’t forget to dress up in your western wear.
Day Three
On day three, all groups will make their final modifications and hold dress rehearsals in preparation for performances on the Kidd-Key Stage.
The culmination of the weekend, of course, will be the performances of the one-act plays. The first performance will begin at 6 p.m. There is no charge for the performances, and the public is invited to attend. At the conclusion of the evening’s performances, awards will be presented for “Best Written Script”, “Best Produced Play”, “Best Actor” and “Best Actress”, “Best Use of Theatrical Elements”, “Most Creative Character Costume”, and “Best Use of Costume Elements” among others.
Registration
The STAGES Conference registration fee is $75.00 per registrant and includes participation in all workshops, the six served meals, the opening night social event, the evening at the Rialto, and the opportunity to meet and make new friends and acquaintances. Registration forms can be obtained from Theatricks’ website (www.theatricks.org) or call 903-893-8525.
Guests
Guests coming to Sherman but not participating in the conference (parents, younger siblings, etc.), can enjoy a variety of fun activities offered by Sherman’s Downtown Businesses and Museums.