Teen Spotlight

Venice Theatre is fortunate to have teens in our midst who are talented, intelligent, and fun to be around. We are always looking for new ways to challenge our young people and keep them interested in the theatre. In recent years - at their request - we’ve strived to give our teens more opportunities to learn, grow, perform, and even direct. They’ve stepped up to help us develop programs like the Youth Production Company and the Teen Improv Troupe. They’ve taught us to become more savvy on social media. Each summer a group of middle and high school students work as interns for our education department. Add to this, the chance to be a part of SummerStock or the Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program (TTAP) and we think VT is one of the coolest places for teens to hang out in Venice!

We have never been shy about giving teens an opportunity to shine. Kelly Duyn, now the assistant director of our Education & Outreach Department, was a recent high school graduate when Sandy Davisson invited her to teach her first class. Casey Trascik, now the head of the drama department at Venice High School, received her own high school diploma on the Venice (Little) Theatre stage because she was starring in a show and chose to miss her graduation ceremony. Eli Schildkraut was just 12 years old when he was hired to music direct his first show. In 2019 we commissioned him to write two new songs for our version of A Christmas Carol. He recently graduated from Berklee College of Music. We’re excited to see where his career will take him. Broadway would be no surprise. Many of our young folks get their start with us when they are as little as kindergarteners. Quite a few of them stay involved through middle school and high school. Several return during their college breaks to be in SummerStock or our annual production of A Christmas Carol. Often, they keep in touch even after they begin their careers, perhaps doing a show with us now and then if they live in the area. Sometimes, like Kelly, they come back to work for us. We can’t think of a better endorsement for our education programs!

We have never been shy about giving teens an opportunity to shine.

KELLY DUYN AND CASEY TRASCIK IN 2002

In 2018 a group of young actors, with the support of the Education & Outreach Department, started a new program that allows them to spread their wings and rise to a new level of leadership in the organization. The Youth Production Company (YPC) is designed to: • create opportunities for high school age students to develop exceptional & unique portfolio material for college applications • create additional performance and technical opportunities for area youth • create an environment for students to create art on their own terms, where they are responsible for all aspects of the project • develop 21st century workplace skills (collaboration, communication, problem solving, and creativity). We are delighted to report that after a forced break due to the pandemic, YPG is regrouping and accepting new applicants to plan their next production. Interested? Contact Kelly Duyn at 941.486.8679 or KellyDuyn@VeniceTheatre.net.

SUMMERSTOCK

Directed by Brad Wages, VT SummerStock is a challenging training ground for young actors pursuing careers in theatre. The program began in 2007 with an energetic production of Footloose! This past summer our young performers entertained audiences with the hilarious Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein. Other summers have featured Broadway classics like Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun and West Side Story; biblically-themed musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat, and Godspell; historically important masterpieces like Cabaret; and contemporary fare like Zombie Prom and Urinetown. Auditions for our 2022 SummerStock program will be in April. Stay tuned! If you or a talented young person you know are interested in SummerStock, learn more at VeniceTheatre.org or call 941.486.8679. MORE EDUCATION & OUTREACH NEXT PAGE

teen spotlight

TECHNICAL THEATRE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (TTAP)

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE TECHNICIANS

Lights! Sound Effects! Costumes! Venice Theatre’s Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program (TTAP for short) teaches the craft of technical theatre to students from age 16 to adult. This two-year program is accredited by the Florida Department of Education. Students can get a competitive edge on college applications or even go directly into the workforce. TTAP graduates are eligible to become professional stage technicians with journeymen status. TTAP give students true hands-on apprenticeship experience. Apprenticeship is the oldest form of job training where apprentices work one-on-one with professionals in their area of expertise. Venice Theatre TTAP graduates are spread across the country and world. Several have returned to Venice Theatre to work as paid professionals with our design team. To learn more about TTAP, visit VeniceTheatre.org or call 941.486.8679.

TEEN IMPROV TROUPE

Director Luke McFatrich invites students in grades 9 -12 to audition for our Teen Improv Troupe. The troupe meets once a week for 9 weeks each semester to explore popular improv games, techniques and concepts in a fun, fast-paced environment. No experience is required. Troupe rehearsals culminate in a ticketed performance in our Pinkerton Theatre. Go to VeniceTheatre.org/audition to find out when the next auditions are or call 941.486.8679 to learn more.