Monday, December 27, 2010

Not too late to give a 2010 gift!

 

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An Investment in the Future of Families.

In the 30 years since we founded Wheelock Family Theatre, we have received much critical praise and many prestigious awards- but the acclaim that means the most to us is the comments that we hear, every day, from the young people who are on our stage, in our classes, and in our audiences.

"While it requires a huge commitment after school, it has taught me the importance of planning ahead, sticking to a schedule and meeting deadlines. It has taught me skills that actually improve my school performance." -Katherine D.

"Everyone takes something personal and lasting from their participation in the theatre. I hope that many other kids will share my good fortune and have the opportunity to be part of the Wheelock family." -Jacob B.

"Wheelock has been like a second home ... I am proud to say that I am a member of the Wheelock community, a place where nobody is discriminated against or alienated for any reason." -Armando C.

We are proud of the quality of our productions, the excellence of our classes and workshops, and our unparalleled commitment to ensuring access to all. But ticket and tuition income cover only about two-thirds of our budget. The balance comes from patrons, like you, who understand the value of what we do, the impact theatre can have on the lives of children and families, and the many ways we build community.

We're hoping you will support Wheelock Family Theatre in our 30th anniversary season with a donation to our Annual Fund.  Your gift will help ensure that we can continue our tradition of excellence and access, serving families from throughout the Boston area with professional, affordable theatre that reaches all generations.

Click here to donate online, or you can mail a check to Wheelock Family Theatre, The 200 Riverway, Boston, MA 02215.

You'll be making an important investment in the future of our young people and our community.

With best wishes for a joyous holiday season,
Susan Kosoff and Jane Staab, Founders

bp

Friday, December 17, 2010

BalletRox’ Urban Nutcracker – last weekend :(

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Review: BalletRox's Urban Nutcracker - Dance - Boston Phoenix

"What makes Urban Nutcracker a treat is seeing so many kids (the program lists a "youth cast" of more than 80) working at dancing and having fun, too." -- Check out this great article from the Boston Phoenix, about

The big question I always come up to when I'm picking a production to see, and there is play, a musical and a dance to choose from, is:

Why Go to the Ballet?

And truthfully, sometimes I can't remember. I let my own mind give in to some of the stereotypes about ballet, which I won't list here.  After seeing Urban Nutcracker, however, I remembered

The Reasons We Love Ballet

1. It is unabashedly magical.

2. It is one of the rare opportunities we have to experience something purely beautiful, without masking that beauty in an overly-intellectual or verbal narrative.

3. It is an art form that goes beyond merely exploring emotions, and is actually the celebration of non-verbal emotions.

4. It is awe-inspiring to see men and women leap through the air using only their own strength.

5. Ballet dancers are pretty or handsome! :)

I hope that you take the opportunity to see Urban Nutcracker this weekend -- the last weekend of the season. Your children will love the magic, glitter and beauty, and you will love the peaceful sense you get watching a child experience a piece of true art.

Need tickets to Ballet Rox’ “Urban Nutcracker?"?

Click here!

Yours in top ten lists,

Beth Peters

Monday, December 13, 2010

Time to Sign Up for Winter Drama Classes!

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The magical time of year has come again, with or without Santa . . .

It’s time to sign up  for winter classes and workshops!! Wheelock Family Theatre provides a dynamic and exciting drama curriculum for young actors (ages 6–17) that teaches drama skills while connecting those skills to your child's overall development.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Wheelock Family Theatre is the only theatre in New England with an education program sustained by both a professional theatre staff and an institution of higher learning, Wheelock College. The result is a dynamic and exciting drama curriculum that teaches drama skills and connects those skills to child development theory and practice.

Theatre artist-educators at WFT create challenging drama and movement games, improvisations, and exercises that help kids learn not just the HOW but also the WHY of onstage thoughts, feelings, and actions.

We do our best to make all our classes accessible in every sense of the word: welcoming and celebrating differences, adapting to various learning styles, and challenging veterans and newcomers alike. While we encourage students to repeat classes, particularly at the youngest, creative dramatics level, we also thoughtfully design a scope-and-sequence of class offerings within each age group so that students are consistently asked to build upon what came before. Early creative dramatics classes lead to introductory acting, movement, and improvisation classes, then to specialty classes such as musical theatre, stage combat, and scene work. Experienced students can then audition for Wheelock Family Theatre's advanced performance programs and mainstage productions.

So, take a look at our Winter Classes and sign your youngster up for the Wheelock Family Theatre program that matches his or her interests.

Note that teen classes are now usually two-hour sessions over a five-week period to allow for more depth and connection. If you would like our help in selecting the best choice(s) for your child, please contact John Bay at 617-879-2252 or jbay@wheelock.edu

Yay! Hope to see you in rehearsal,

Beth Peters

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Street Cred is "Where It’s At" ( or “2 Ballerinas or some tap shoes on”).

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DANCE REVIEW: 'Urban Nutcracker' gives Tchaikovsky some street cred

Read this wonderful article above, out of the Patriot Ledger. Here is my favorite quote
“The characters are from the here and now, rather than long ago and far away in some middle-European city. You have to look hard for the traditional pastel costumes of the original work because the people onstage in “Urban Nutcracker” wear hoodies and jeans as often as tutus and tights, while many of the large number of children have sneakers on their feet instead of ballet slippers.” –Iris Fanger
This is exactly what I enjoyed about the Urban Nutcracker.  The dance piece as whole seeks to attract and entertain all children- not just little ballerinas, or little girls who like to dress up, or moms who used to dance – this piece is for everyone, EVERYONE! (Written as a former little ballerina / little girl who still  likes to dress up and future mom).

The costumes, varied from a traditional Sugar Plum Fairy "getup," to hooded sweatshirts, loud high-tops that look unlaced, and loud crazy colors – gave me the feeling that I could go up onstage in my own street-wear and jump right in. Thankfully for the Ballet Rox company, I held my seat. Smile

So I survived yet another WFT event where I did not, in fact, go up onstage and embarrass myself and maybe ruin the show – here’s hopin’ for next time!

Need tickets to Ballet Rox’ “Urban Nutracker?"?
Yours in blogging,
Beth Peters

Thursday, December 9, 2010

‘Nutcracker’ with a twist




Awesome article and cute cute cute pictures of three young performers at the Boston Herald site! Check it out!