10-Minute Play Festival: Final Showcase Tonight

Pictured: A few scenes from the Teenage Drama Workshop's "10-Minute Play Festival," which concludes tonight in the Studio Theatre.

Final Curtain Call: The Wiz

The 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop production of "The Wiz" closed today to huge applause. As soon as they changed out of their costumes, all members of the cast joined the crew to "strike the set" and return the Campus Theatre to its pristine, pre-show state. "Pinocchio" closes Aug. 1, with set strike immediately afterward.

The Company

Wednesday's company meeting offered a great opportunity to get a shot of everyone as we wind down the 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop. Enjoy!

10-Minute Play Festival Opens Thursday

Nine short plays by students in the 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop will be featured in the "10-Minute Play Festival" on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 in the Studio Theatre in Nordhoff Hall at CSUN. (Both nights feature the same lineup.) All roles are filled by students in TADW's "improv" elective. Parents are encouraged to purchase tickets ASAP because the 90-seat Studio Theatre sells out every year. For tickets, please visit www.csun.edu/tadw.

Dean's Reception Honors TADW Donors

Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media & Communication at CSUN, hosted a reception for donors to the Teenage Drama Workshop on Saturday, July 25.

TADW benefactors were honored at the event, which was held in the striking Organ Room in Nordhoff Hall. Honorees included acclaimed actor Allan Rich; actress and philanthropist Nancy Cartwright and Christine Loeb, mother of the late Sam Loeb, for whom the Sam Loeb “Spirit of TADW” scholarship is presented each year.

Speaking to the group, Dean Bucker said each donor was making “a great investment” in the arts and in the lives of local children by supporting TADW. At the event, members of “The Wiz” cast performed a rousing version of “Brand New Day”. Guests included members of the board of directors from the Devonshire PALs (Police Activity League Supporters), and representatives from Pio Pico School and LAUSD’s Migrant Education Program. Thanks to generous donors, all three organizations received tickets to TADW performances this year for use by low-income children.

Following the reception, guests were invited into the Little Theatre where they watched a terrific performance of “Pinocchio”. For more information on how you can support TADW please contact Doug Kaback at doug.kaback@csun.edu.

Pictured from left: Prof. Beth Lasky, Allan Rich, Dean Robert Bucker, Christine Loeb, Nancy Cartwright, Prof. Doug Kaback and Brent Rosen.

Musical Theatre Prepares for Munch and Crunch

Students in the Teenage Drama Workshop's Musical Theatre elective are hard at work under the direction of Ed Archer and Candy Sherwin as they prepare for Munch and Crunch, our annual culmination and musical theatre review.

You won't want to miss this spectacular event, beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2 in the Campus Theatre in Nordhoff Hall at CSUN. Parents and friends are invited, too!

Here's a sneak peek at the group preparing for one of their big group numbers:

Superhero Day at TADW

In case you missed it on our Facebook fan page this morning, here are a few shots from Superhero Day today at the Teenage Drama Workshop:

TADW Benefactor Allan Rich Cares About Kids

Allan Rich, one of Hollywood’s busiest and most recognizable character actors, is also one of its most generous donors. The Teenage Drama Workshop at CSUN is just one of many youth-focused organizations supported by Rich and his nonprofit foundation, We Care About Kids.

This summer, Rich and We Care About Kids cofounder Peter Antico provided generous funding for TADW scholarships through their nonprofit filmmaking company. Rich and his wife Elaine also donated to TADW’s ticket-gifting program, allowing low-income children to attend performances of “The Wiz” and “Pinocchio.”

“Sharing what I have learned about theater and film with young people is the most important work I do,” Rich said. “That’s why having this small involvement with TADW and Doug Kaback’s students is so fulfilling to me personally.”

Known for his roles in feature films like “Amistad,” “Disclosure” and “Quiz Show”, and for his many television appearances in shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “NYPD Blue” and “CSI,” Rich is a long-time friend and mentor to Professor Doug Kaback, director of CSUN’s Teenage Drama Workshop.

“Allan inspires a real appreciation for teaching the art of acting to young people, and most importantly to making a commitment to actually helping young people through his nonprofit organization,” Kaback said. “This was a great opportunity for us to invite him to take part in the workshop, and we are so thrilled to have him helping with scholarships and financial assistance this year.“

Blacklisted in the 1940s, Rich left the entertainment industry for a time to pursue a career as a stockbroker and a highly successful contemporary art dealer. He returned to acting in the early 1970s and hasn’t stopped since.

Rich established We Care About Kids to produce short films that address societal ills such as racism, drugs and smoking. The films are shown to schoolchildren who are then invited to engage in a dialogue about what they viewed.

Rich is also the author of “A Leap from the Method: An Organic Approach to Acting.” He enjoys sending signed copies to acting students.

Rich will be one of several TADW donors honored July 25 at a special reception hosted by Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication at CSUN. Cast members from TADW’s production of “The Wiz” will perform at the reception. Afterward, the VIP guests will then attend the evening performance of “Pinocchio”.

Nancy Cartwright, Voice of Bart Simpson, Gives TADW a ‘Standing Ovation’

She’s the talented actress behind one of the world’s most recognizable characters. But to the Teenage Drama Workshop at CSUN, performer, author, philanthropist and community leader Nancy Cartwright is also one of our most generous benefactors.

In addition to supporting TADW financially, Cartwright, who voices Bart Simpson on “The Simpsons,” is mom of first-time TADW student Jackson Murphy, 17, who is playing Gepetto in "Pinocchio".

For 2009, Cartwright provided funding for several scholarships that allowed low-income students to take part in the 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop. Additionally, she provided funding for tickets that will be used by underprivileged youth from the Devonshire PALs (Police Activity League Supporters).

"I believe that art has the power to change the world,” Cartwright says. “It is the aesthetics in life that move us to emotions and levels of expression that would otherwise be untapped.“

“Young people today have many more challenges and distractions that I didn't have when I was their age,” she adds. “With iPods, videos and the Internet, etc., it is very easy and all-too-tempting to become a spectator in life, rather than to celebrate the muse in yourself.”

“The Teenage Drama Workshop is an amazing program that gets kids working their artistic muscles and finding out that they have the power within themselves to create great art that could inspire others to a better life,” she says. “I not only applaud the program, I give it a standing ovation!"

Cartwright will be one of several TADW donors honored July 25 at a special reception hosted by Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication at CSUN. Cast members from TADW’s production of “The Wiz” will perform at the reception. Afterward, the VIP guests will then attend the evening performance of “Pinocchio”.

Cupcake Fundraiser a Huge Success

Big thanks go out to Donna McDaniel-Pavlock, the owner of Bella Donna Special Events, for donating beautiful gourmet cupcakes for a special fundraiser held after our evening shows on Thursday, July 23. Not only did every single cupcake sell out, but Donna's generosity helped raise $178 for the Teenage Drama Workshop's scholarship fund. (Pictured: Donna McDaniel-Pavlock of Bella Donna Special Events with TADW alumna and current parent Marylata Jacob.) Bella Donna Special Events has also donated a $50 gift certificate toward a specialty cake to our raffle. Get your raffle tickets at all evening and weekend performances.

Scholarship Raffle Prizes

The Teenage Drama Workshop is selling raffle tickets at all evening and weekend shows to raise money for our scholarship program. Thank you to all who donated prizes to our auction. Your generosity will help us provide scholarships for low-income students who want to attend our workshop.

Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Prizes will be drawn at Munch & Crunch on Aug. 2 (Winners need not be present.)

Here is the latest run-down on the prizes we are offering:

2 tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert on Aug. 7 (Donated by TADW alumna Crystal McGinnis after she won them on KIIS-FM; seat info TBA)

"The Phineas & Ferb Experience for Two" - Meet the creator, watch a VO session, meet the composer, visit recording studio! (Donated by Dan Povenmire and Danny Jacob)

4 orchestra seats to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical" at the Pantages on Dec. 6, 2009 (Donated by The Fairlee Family)

2 general admission passes to Universal Studios Hollywood (Donated by Universal Studios Hollywood)

"Tinkerbell Dream Basket" filled with Tinkerbell toys, DVD and CD (Donated by the Office of Meredith Roberts & Jen Karafilis at DisneyToon Studios)

4 Disneyland Resort one-day Parkhopper tickets + parking (Donated by The Jacob Family)

1 Michael Jackson Memorial Program from the Staples Center memorial (Donated by Trevor Panno & Family)

1 Conditioning Treatment, Haircut & Blowdry with Sari @ Salon Syndicate, Encino (Donated by Sari Averill)

2 Haircuts with Sari @ Salon Syndicate, Encino (Donated by Sari Averill)

"A Night out in Warner Center" - $50 Certificate to PF Changs, $25 Certificate to AMC Theatres (Donated by The Kazan Family)

$50 Gift Certificate toward a specialty cake from Bella Donna Special Events (Donated by Bella Donna)

Playbill signed by Broadway cast of "West Side Story" (Donated by Owen Panno)

Playbill signed by Broadway cast of "The Phantom of the Opera" (Donated by Owen Panno)

Playbill signed by Broadway cast of "Next To Normal" (Donated by Owen Panno)

Harry & David picnic backpack (Donated by The Perkins Family)

Picnic Time wine & cheese tote for two (Donated by The Perkins Family)

Horseback riding lessons at Elvenstar Stables, Moorpark (Donated by Elvenstar)

Adco Armor Tyvek Motorcycle Cover-Small (Donated by The Perkins Family)

Adco Armor Tyvek Motorcycle Cover-Large (Donated by The Perkins Family)

Get your raffle tickets now. Upcoming raffle ticket sales dates: July 23 (before and after 7 p.m. shows); July 24 (before and after 7 p.m. show); July 25 (before and after 11 a.m. matinees and 7 p.m. shows); July 30 & 31 (before and after "10-Minute Play Festival"); Aug. 1 (before and after 11 a.m. matinee) and Aug. 2 (at Munch & Crunch). If you will not be at these performances, we can also sell tickets by appointment at CSUN. Email daniellefairlee@mac.com for information.

Pinocchio: After Opening Night

The cast and crew of the Teenage Drama Workshop's production of "Pinocchio" celebrated and signed autographs after Wednesday's Opening Night. Performances continue through Aug. 1. Get your tickets now.

Signing Autographs after the Show

Another tradition at the Teenage Drama Workshop is signing autographs after every performance. After weekday matinees, this is extra-fun, because many of the audience members are young children from local summer camps. Pictured here are some of the cast members of "The Wiz" signing autographs after this morning's performance of "The Wiz".

TADW hosts LAUSD's Migrant Education Program

Students from LAUSD's Migrant Education Summer Program visited the Teenage Drama Workshop today, taking in the matinee performance of "The Wiz" and touring CSUN's Campus Theatre afterward. According to their teachers, the students prepared for the field trip by watching "The Wizard of Oz" and learning about "The Wiz" before coming to see the show.

The kids arrived at the theatre in bright green Wiz T-shirts they decorated themselves. As they got seated, JoAnne Archer, the director of "The Wiz," greeted the students and told them how great they all looked.

After the show, the group met with Chris Halsted, the assistant director of "Pinocchio," who also teaches acting at TADW. Halsted gave the children a tour of "The Wiz" stage and a close-up look at the sets, while talking to them about being an actor.

Invitationals for "Pinocchio"

In keeping with Teenage Drama Workshop tradition, the final dress rehearsal for "Pinocchio" was open to all TADW students and alumni. ("Pinocchio" opens tonight. Tickets are still available!)

Called "Invitationals," last night's performance was a chance for the cast of "The Wiz" to come see "Pinocchio". Additionally, many alumni from previous workshops were spotted in audience.

After the show, many of the kids and their parents, and quite a few staff members, journeyed over to Sizzler in Northridge for a late-night dinner.

Pictured: TADW students and friends at Sizzler after "Pinocchio" Invitationals.

Pinocchio Opens Tonight - Sneak Peek Part II

The Teenage Drama Workshop production of "Pinocchio" opens tonight at CSUN in the Little Theatre in Nordhoff Hall. Performances continue through Aug. 1. For tickets, visit www.csun.edu/tadw. Here's another sneak peek at what the cast has in store for audiences:

"Pinocchio": Sneak Peek

The Teenage Drama Workshop's production of "Pinocchio" opens Wednesday, July 22. For tickets, visit www.csun.edu/tadw.

Here's a little sneak peek of what's in store for audiences: