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Professional training in an inspiring and fast-paced atmosphere awaits youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who participate in the fourth Annual National Youth Theatre Festival June 25-27 at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.
As a highlight, SCERA will bring in famed choreographer and performance coach Cindera Che, a native of Taiwan, who has coached many television, stage and film stars. Che is a teacher at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, and is sought-after for master classes in Canada, Germany, France, England and the United States.
The three-day event will be crammed with workshops ranging from dance and movement, overcoming inhibitions and character-driven performance to make up artistry, film acting and improvisation -- as well as a celebrity concert featuring season six American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.
It begins June 25 from 5-10 p.m. with dinner, games, an overview of the festival, prizes and the Sparks concert in the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre.
June 26 events begin at 9 a.m. and continue to 2 p.m. Featured will be workshops on makeup artistry with Sheila Krein, dance and movement with Stacy Johnson-Bills, and a celebrity workshop with entertainer/comedian/impersonator Jason Hewlett.
Events June 27 begin at 10 a.m. and will include an improv workshop with acting professor Chris Clark, acting for film technique and film basics with director Steve Anderson, and Che's celebrity workshop on overcoming inhibitions and character-driven movements.
"This has become an extraordinary opportunity for our talented youth to have a diverse introduction to many aspects of the arts," said Adam Robertson, SCERA President and CEO. "They get training from first rate professionals who are happy to guide them. In addition to our other teachers, we are especially pleased to have someone of the caliber of Cindera Che be part of the 2008 festival."
Cindera Che moved to the United States in 1977. She found herself working as a professional dancer/choreographer with notable talents in TV, stage and film. Her background in jazz, modern, ballet and traditional Chinese dance allows her to create a dynamic range of character driven movements. Concepts are turned into live imagery as stories are told with a point of view.
As well as conventional dance, she incorporates yoga and Pilates into her teaching as a way to raise awareness in the mind and the body. Che's role as a teacher is to inspire motivation, encourage exploration and cultivate self-discipline in all her students. Using contemporary, rock, electronica or world music, Che's classes are often described by students as "exhilarating."
Jason Hewlett's one-man show with clean comedy and signature dancing and singing celebrity impersonations, has led to engagements at major Las Vegas hotels. Additionally, he has performed with the renowned Legends in Concert and on CBS' Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon.
Chris Clark is a director, actor and acting professor at Utah Valley University, has an MFA in directing from the University of Exeter and is working toward a doctorate's degree in theater education from Brigham Young University. He has performed at London's Old Globe Theater and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Steppenwolf Theatre and Second City Chicago.
Stacy Johnson Bills, a former Miss Utah, received a talent award at Miss America. She teaches dance at Center Stage Performing Arts Studios and has many national choreography titles to her credit, including five Critics' Choice Awards at New York City Dance Alliance.
Tuition for the National Youth Theatre Festival at SCERA is $100 and includes all festival workshops, activities, food, snacks and a festival T-shirt. To register or for additional information, call 801-225-ARTS or visit www.scera.org. |
