FREE TIME
Grant boosts plans for kids theater
September 7, 2007
By Christine Cole, Special to the Sentinel
EUSTIS -- When the Disney's Helping Kids Shine grant program awarded $16,300 to the Bay Street Players earlier this year, it gave the theater a chance to rev up its Young People's Theatre.
The 32-year-old children's theater, founded by Deborah Carpenter, will add new programs, increase its production budgets and buy new equipment.
"We have tripled the size of the program without changing our fees," said Timothy Turner, the theater's director of education. "No students will be turned away because they can't afford the fees."
Carpenter will continue with the program as a teaching artist.
Turner is enthusiastic about the Test the Spotlight classes, offered to children of all ages up to 12th grade. Lasting eight weeks, the classes will allow children an introduction to the theater without demanding a yearlong commitment.
A class for preschool children, Treasure Trunk, will offer creative activities in drama and movement.
The Young People's Theatre touring company for children in grades 8 to 12, which tours schools in Central Florida, will now have a younger version. The Junior Touring Company will be formed from children in grades 2 to 7.
Turner is also working with the Lake Eustis Institute to create classes for adults. The series of interactive classes will include costuming, set design, musical theater and improvisation.
"We will teach people what it is like to audition and they can give it a try," he said. "It's a chance to try with no pressure."
Auditions for the various children's programs, except Test the Spotlight and Treasure Trunk, will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 109 N. Bay St. Classes begin Sept. 10 for the YPT Academy and Sept. 17 for Test the Spotlight.
For more information, call 352-357-7777.
Grant boosts plans for kids theater
September 7, 2007
By Christine Cole, Special to the Sentinel
EUSTIS -- When the Disney's Helping Kids Shine grant program awarded $16,300 to the Bay Street Players earlier this year, it gave the theater a chance to rev up its Young People's Theatre.
The 32-year-old children's theater, founded by Deborah Carpenter, will add new programs, increase its production budgets and buy new equipment.
"We have tripled the size of the program without changing our fees," said Timothy Turner, the theater's director of education. "No students will be turned away because they can't afford the fees."
Carpenter will continue with the program as a teaching artist.
Turner is enthusiastic about the Test the Spotlight classes, offered to children of all ages up to 12th grade. Lasting eight weeks, the classes will allow children an introduction to the theater without demanding a yearlong commitment.
A class for preschool children, Treasure Trunk, will offer creative activities in drama and movement.
The Young People's Theatre touring company for children in grades 8 to 12, which tours schools in Central Florida, will now have a younger version. The Junior Touring Company will be formed from children in grades 2 to 7.
Turner is also working with the Lake Eustis Institute to create classes for adults. The series of interactive classes will include costuming, set design, musical theater and improvisation.
"We will teach people what it is like to audition and they can give it a try," he said. "It's a chance to try with no pressure."
Auditions for the various children's programs, except Test the Spotlight and Treasure Trunk, will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 109 N. Bay St. Classes begin Sept. 10 for the YPT Academy and Sept. 17 for Test the Spotlight.
For more information, call 352-357-7777.
Copyright © 2007, Orlando Sentinel