After only seven rehearsals, fifth and sixth grade students at West Cape May Elementary School will perform "Aesop’s Fables" at West Cape May Elementary School. Directed by East Lynne Theater Company’s artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, the script was written by Long Island students when Stahlhuth was conducting a theater residency in Massapequa. Fables include “The Birds and the Beast,” “The Ants and the Grasshopper,” “The Tortoise and Hare,” Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,” and “The Miser and His Gold.”
Admission is free, but canned goods (no expired dates, please) for the Food Closet, will be gratefully accepted. For reservations, call ELTC at 609-884-5898 or e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com.
This in-school residency begins on Tuesday, March 3, with a few acting exercises, reading the script, and everyone writing down what three roles they would like to play. Based on this information, parts are assigned and rehearsals begin. Parents, teachers, and students, along with Stahlhuth and ELTC's teaching support team, will create the set, props, and costumes. After only ten hours of rehearsal, the students perform with lines learned, blocking complete, props in place and costumes done.
This is the thirteenth year Stahlhuth has been able to provide this acting residency and performance for West Cape May Elementary School due to funding from New Jersey Theatre Alliances' (NJTA) "Stages Festival." To receive a full schedule of events, visit www.stagesfestival.org.
Founded in 1981, NJTA is the first statewide organization for professional, not-for-profit theater companies in the United States, of which ELTC is a proud member. NJTA is a leader in developing model programs that foster collaboration, cooperation and audience development. To learn more about NJTA, visit www.njtheatrealliance.org.