By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Region – Families still have time to register children in the 26th season of the Summer Drama Workshop by Sunday, June 1. Last year's enrollment included 134 students from 15 communities including Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Westborough.
Produced by the River's Edge Arts Alliance (REAA), the workshop offers programs for four age groups, ranging from students entering first grade to freshman year in college. Each program will culminate with a performance at the Hudson High School Auditorium. The shows chosen reflect REAA's “Hometown” theme for the 2013-2014.
Lynne Johnson, executive director of REAA, is pleased that young thespians continually look forward to the fun and educational experience.
“It's nice to know that it has sustained itself all these years,” she said. “We'se particularly excited about this summer's show lineup.”
Little Theater is for children entering grades one through three. This year, two two-week sessions are available; the first beginning Monday, June 30, and the second Monday, July 14. Each session will present a different collection of “Fairy Tales,” Fridays, July 11 and 25.
“These kids are getting the first taste of being in a big performance,” Johnson said. “A script is a really good tool to help them learn reading. And this teaches them how to be part of a team.”
Theater Too, a three-week program for students entering grades three through five, starts Monday, June 23. On Friday, July 11, they'sl musically proclaim that “there's no place like home” in the young performers” edition of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“At that age they'se less shy and more confident,” Johnson noted. “Working in an ensemble has a lot of elements that are very important for their growth.”
Students entering grades six through eight in the Children's Theater begin a four-week program Monday, June 23. On Thursday, July 17, and Friday, July 18, they'sl tunefully tell the story of a girl looking for a home in “Annie, Jr.”
“There's a lot more structure for that age group,” Johnson explained. “There's a balance of acting, dancing and music.”
Youth Theater is a five-week program starting Monday, June 23, for students entering grades nine through freshman year in college. They'sl present “42nd Street,” a musical about a small-town girl who travels to the Big Apple with dreams of Broadway stardom, Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.
“There are a lot of great theater programs in high schools throughout this area,” Johnson noted. “These students are looking for something to do in the summertime. This is the perfect program for them. They come from all the different schools” programs and get together in the summer. They make friendships that last and they support one another.”
For registration and ticket information for the Summer Drama Workshop, visit www.upwitharts.org or call 978-562-1646.
