Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (ChappPAC) is kicking off its second year of acclaimed children’s performances and musical theatre educational programming with a trio of fall children’s workshops. The newly-renovated theater will open its doors to young musical theatre enthusiasts for three workshop sessions, beginning in October. Working professionals from Broadway, as well as Westchester County will offer in-depth instruction to help students between the ages of three through sixteen hone their acting, singing and performance skills.
The workshops and Open House will be presented by the Town of New Castle, Standing Ovation Studios, and Soup’s On Entertainment and will be held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. The 425-seat venue is located on the former Reader’s Digest campus and has found new life as a unique cultural institution and upscale entertainment destination.
The 2018 fall schedule includes a complimentary Kick-Off Musical Theatre Workshops Open House on October 6th, which will provide an opportunity for kids and parents to learn about all that ChappPAC’s workshops and performances have to offer. The event will feature choreographers and teachers from Standing Ovation Studios who will be teaching songs and choreography from Peter Pan and Hamilton, providing an advance glimpse of what’s in store for subsequent workshops. Students will learn and then perform on-stage for parents and friends. There will be a “talkback session” with the actors following the performance to provide participants an intimate chance to learn from people with successful theatre industry careers. These workshops are intended to not only instruct, but also inspire the next generation.
“The opportunity to bring Broadway performers, directors, choreographers and music directors to Chappaqua to create theatre is so inspiring,” said ChappPAC manager John Fanelli. John is a veteran theatre professional who was previously associated with the Westchester Broadway Theatre, and is the artistic director for his own Standing Ovation Studios and Lighthouse Youth Theater. “We can’t wait for the children in Westchester to be able to experience this level of entertainment and education.”
“It is time to uncover Chappaqua’s hidden gem,” said Jill Shapiro, Town Administrator of the Town of New Castle. “We’re thrilled to put the spotlight on all of the Broadway stars and programming soon to be featured at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center and inspire a new generation of performers and theatre lovers.”
Following are upcoming workshops:
- FREE Musical Theatre Workshop Open House (Saturday, October 6, 11am-12pm for ages 3-6 and 12:30-2:30pm for ages 7-16): Come learn firsthand about all the wonderful things happening for kids at ChappPAC this fall. Join Westchester’s finest musical theatre instructors on-stage and learn about all the opportunities for kids this fall at ChappPAC. From 11am-12pm, students ages 3-6 will learn a song fromPeter Pan and perform for parents and friends on stage at the end of the workshop. From 12:30-2:30 students ages 7-11 and 12-16 will learn and perform a song and dance from Hamilton.
- Wicked Workshop (Monday, October 15, 4:30pm-6:30pm): Exclusive opportunity for young theater lovers to Join two current Broadway actors who are former cast members of Wicked! Arielle Jacobswhose Broadway credits include; Jasmine in Aladdin (current), Wicked, In the Heights and Rent and Alicia Albright whose Broadway credits include dance captain in Frozen (current) and Dance Captain in Wicked, as well as national tours of All Shook Up and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Participants will learn a portion of a Wicked song and dance combo from Broadway cast members and two professional music directors. The session culminates with the students performing on stage for parents and friends and a Q&A session with the actors about their experience to educate and inspire the next generation of performers and theatre lovers.
- Musical Theatre Technique and Audition Prep Workshop (Monday, November 26, 4:30pm-6:30pm):Join Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, Wicked, Godspell, Grease) and Broadway starDerek Klena (Anastasia, Wicked, Bridges of Madison County) to learn about musical theatre technique and audition preparation. These two veterans of Broadway will provide insightful instruction in a fun and encouraging environment. The session culminates with the students performing on stage for parents and friends and a Q&A session with the actors about their experience to educate and inspire the next generation of performers and theatre lovers.
Performer bios can be found here.
Workshop Pricing
Early Bird (prior to September 25): $150 per workshop
After September 25th: $175 per workshop
The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center is located at 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514 just inside the gate of the former Reader’s Digest campus. To purchase tickets, please visit www.chappaquapac.org
or call 914-458-5143.
