Backstage at the Teenage Drama Workshop

TADW Early Enrollment is ON!

2011-12-07T17:14:00.001-08:00

Early Enrollment is ON!

Go to the TADW website and apply online.

You'll save $200 if you apply before December 31st. (Blogger won't link to image, so click the link in the text above, or here.

Get the Jump on 2012!

2011-12-05T21:52:00.001-08:00

Welcome back! We're getting a jump on the Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) 2012 season with early-bird special discounts for those who sign up by December 31, 2011!*

Time to start planning for next summer. As always, the classes will be amazing. Our shows will be incredible!

Ray Saar will direct BYE BYE BIRDIE and Ronnie Sperling will direct his new version of SNOW WHITE AND THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN! We're getting everything ready for our 2012 enrollment.

With our special reduced early enrollment you will SAVE $200 if you apply and make your deposit by December 31, 2011.

Our website will be updated in the next week and on-line applications will begin.

Happiest of holidays to all TADWanians and their families!

Best Wishes,
Doug Kaback
and everyone at TADW

*Act quickly, before the early bird discount goes bye bye!

Dates for TADW 2012:
June 25 - August 5
Auditions June 9 & 16
(all students attend both audition dates, 8:45-12:15).

TADW 2011 is All Over Flickr!

2011-08-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

Have you followed the link to our flickr page lately? Tons of pics by Gary, Stephen, Ronnie Cameron, Hailey-Rae, The Roberts Family, Colleen, so many generous photographers got involved this year, and we say THANK YOU!

Don't stop here, go to the flickr page!

TADW: The Callbacks!

2011-07-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some encouraging words from just a few of our alumni who came to the invitational performance of Music Man. What is it about TADW at CSUN that brings siblings, 2nd generation kids and friends to TADW? Ask an alum!

"The Callbacks" is an alumni group established in 2011 by Marylata (Elton) Jacob to help bring attention and strength to the newly established TADW Endowment Fund.

With a generous $10,000 lead gift secured – the endowment allows matching $1 for every $2 donated. For example, a $1,000 gift will be matched with $500 from the lead gift.

You can make a donation online from our website - you'll also find information about how to send a check by snail mail.

The Ann Burroughs Family Scholarship

2011-07-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Angelica Mejia and Sydney Reyes with Doug Kaback

The Sights and Sounds of TADW:
The Ann Burroughs Family Scholarship

At The Teenage Drama Workshop, the students always come first. The kids in TADW come from all walks of life (a unique quality that TADW prides itself in).

With today's economic constraints, some students are unable to pay the full price of tuition. That being said, TADW is fortunate to have some amazing people who every year without fail or hesitation make sure that the kids who want to go to TADW can! Today I wanted to highlight the Burroughs scholarship.

Ann Burroughs

The Burroughs Family Scholarship is named for the late Ann Burroughs, who was a long-time administrative analyst in the CSUN Department of Theatre and a great friend to the workshop. The scholarship is funded by the Burroughs family and provides two $500 scholarships for students with financial need.

Through this generous gift, the spirit of Ann's wonderful and caring heart lives on each year, as two deserving talented students get their moment to shine! This year's recipients are Angelica Mejia (Music Man) and Sydney Reyes (The Jungle Book).

So thank you Burroughs family, it’s you and our many other wonderful donors who help keep the program alive, and our kids smiling!

-Hailey Graves

Clean, Shiny and Ready for Music Man/Opening Night!

2011-07-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone, parent and alum alike, is doing their part to get the Campus Theaters ready for the opening night of The Music Man. Here's TADW Alum and TADW Endowment Benefactor Marylata (Elton) Jacob getting the bulletin boards ready - and did I mention CLEAN!?

You can see they look good, and you can see from these photos she put a lot of detail into her task, but if you really want to see these works of art, come see a show!

Jungle Book (til 8/6), Music Man (til 8/5), and the Ten Minute Play Festival (8/4 and 8/5) won't run all summer - so gather up the family and friends and come see a show or three! Tickets: 818-677-2488.

No fleck of dust survived!

Pictures/ Stills/ Photos/ Flickr! Jungle Book, Callbacks, and Allan Rich

2011-07-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

Just checking - have you seen our Flickr page lately? We've got great pics of our Jungle Book invitational, the Callbacks, and our visit with Allan Rich. Take a look!

More more more!

Music Man Sneak Peek!

2011-07-25T23:12:00.001-07:00

Just a tiny sneak peek at some of the elements of Music Man!

Allan Rich and TADW Scholarship Recipient, Joshua Thomas

2011-07-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Joshua Thomas, Mowgli in the 2011 TADW production of Jungle Book, is also the recipient of a scholarship from "We Care About Kids" a non-profit founded by actor Allan Rich. Hailey Graves talked with Joshua and Allan about acting - and moreover, about being human.

Big Day at TADW: President, Dean, Chair and Invitational (Here's a sneak peek)

2011-07-21T23:24:00.000-07:00

What a truly awesome day! We started off with a visit from CSUN President Koester, Dean Bucker and Theatre Chair Lennon. Pics and video will be available soon - we sang our gratitude to President Koester for her long time support of TADW. She has been a true champion of our projects and we are big fans of Jolene Koester. We sang a special adaptation of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" (thanks to Diane Ketchie's wit) and "Wind Beneath My Wings," because that's just what she's been to us.

And this evening was our Invitational show of Jungle Book, with special guests in the audience, "The Callbacks" our fast growing alumni group. Here's a sneak peek of Jungle Book, and a number to call for tickets.

Please share! Some shows are already sold out, but we still have tickets available. 818-677-2488 (order by phone)!

"I'm a Professional! I've Had Three Performances!"

2011-07-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sights and sounds of TADW:
“I'm a professional! I've had three performances!" - Fozzie Bear

Bruce Lanoil

The cast of Jungle Book got a surprise visit last Monday from an actual Muppet! It was Bruce Lanoil who has been a puppeteer since the early 1980’s when he joined Sid and Marty Croft’s Puppet School while he was a student at CSUN.

I asked Bruce when he started working for the Muppets. He said, “Jim Henson came west for the TV show Dinosaurs. I auditioned and got the part, and that’s when I got my career," Bruce told me, "I’ve been blessed to be able to about a movie every year sense I joined the Muppets”

Bruce / Dinosaurs

Ronnie Sperling, one of the directors of Jungle Book, was at CSUN with Bruce. He asked the skilled puppeteer to come in and do a demonstration for the TADWanians, and to help out one of the cast members who will be working with a puppet. As Bruce gave his lesson, Ronnie leaned over to me and said, “These kids won’t remember me or what play they were in, but are going to remember that an actual Muppet came and talked with them.”

The kids' eyes were glued to Bruce, and you could see their personal little light bulbs of intrigue lighting up left and right. Bruce and his puppets were all they could talk about for the rest of the day. When I got the chance to talk with him one-on-one, he told me this was his first-ever interaction with TADW kids and it was very fun. “My sister in law did TADW a long time ago so I knew what it was.”

He also said he's fascinated in the new interest among young people and puppets. “They really love working with puppets, and I’m like, good for them!”

So thank you Bruce for coming to TADW! Who knows? He might have awakened the interest of the next Jim Henson.

-Hailey Graves

Flashmob at CSUN Movie Night

2011-07-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

What happens when a group of singers from Level 2 do a little moonlighting at CSUN's Movie Night?
They attract bigger audiences!Thank you Level 2's for getting the word out there! We've dubbed you "LevL2s." After the summer season's over, maybe you can take it on tour!

Summer at CSUN/TADW: Show this to Friends who Wonder

2011-07-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

You can say "teenage" and "theatre" in the same sentence at a nice summer pool party, but can your description match the color, tone, dynamism of actually showing what we do at TADW? Can it explain the long term gain that can begin to grow on a hot summer day with a paintbrush in one hand and a script in the other (and dancing shoes on your feet)?

Share this video with your friends who wonder about what TADW is. Then have 'em buy tickets to see YOU or your technical expertise in Music Man, Jungle Book and the 10 Minute Play Festival.

Tickets 818/ 677-2488
$14/adults; $10/kids and seniors (no reserved seating)
Groups/$7 for groups of 10 or more

I mean, just LOOK at last year!

Go ahead, share it with everybody: it's a great example of TADW!

Generous Gift Establishes Endowment: Here's How You Can be Part of It!

2011-07-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Donate and make endowment dollars stretch farther!

Many former workshop participants remember their summers in TADW as some of the most gratifying in their lives, and have enrolled their own children in the program over the years. Among them, Marylata E. Jacob, who was part of the workshop from 1973 to 1975. Jacob’s son Aaron is in his third year with TADW and has a key role in this summer’s production of “The Music Man.”

“A long-lasting benefit of theatrical training in the adolescent years are the life skills and work ethic the teens learn that will last into their adult years,” said Jacob, who has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in music that includes work on award-winning feature films, collaborations with a number of legendary musical artists and a Grammy nomination.

As a “thank you” for the skills she learned while with TADW, Jacob and her husband Danny Jacob, composer and song producer for Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb,” have made a generous gift to establish an endowment to support the workshop. In addition to Jacob, other Teenage Drama Workshop alumni include Oscar nominees Mare Winningham and Elizabeth McGovern.

“For 54 years, this inspiring program continues to harness high-voltage teen energy into joyful productivity. I want to be sure teens keep getting this opportunity,” Jacob said. “The Valley’s cornfields may be gone, its orange groves may now be relegated to a corner of the CSUN campus, but TADW is still a powerful, vibrant presence. It is most worthy of the entertainment industry’s financial resources to keep it up and running.”

Kaback said he was “thrilled” by Jacob’s gesture.

“The arts are so important to students’ academic and social development,” he said. “This gift from the Jacobs helps us make sure we can keep offering TADW for years to come.”

For more information about TADW or performances of “The Music Man,” “Jungle Book” or the “10-Minute Play Festival,” call (818) 677-5811, email tadw@csun.edu or visit the website www.csun.edu/tadw

SEE also:

Every morning for the past few weeks, more than 90 teenagers have been immersed... Read the entire news release about TADW.

It’s a bird it’s a plane it’s TADWIANS!!!

2011-07-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

The sights and sounds of TADW
It’s a bird it’s a plane it’s TADWIANS!!!

If you were to have wandered the halls of TADW last Friday, you would have rubbed shoulders with Batman and Robin, the Power Puff Girls, Green Lantern, Super Man, and many other masked and caped avengers.

It was week two of themed Fridays and it was come dressed as your favorite superhero. Some heroes were easy to recognize, others were obscure, but all were extremely creative, providing an opportunity for the students and staff of TADW to show off their great imaginations. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself!!!

More pics on our flickr page soon.

-Hailey Graves

Sewing Needles Ready!

2011-07-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

When you think about it, you realize a costume is really a character’s skin. While the actor must bring this person to life, it is the costume that gives the audience at a quick glance, insight to the person/ persons residing in this imaginary world. At TADW, the costumes do just that, due to the sheer brilliance, commitment and care from the amazing costume designers.

The two costume designers this summer, Ann Wilson (designer for Music Man) and Maro Parian (designer for The Jungle Book), have pulled all the stops to bring these two fabulous worlds a stunning look! Both agree that to make great costumes you need to have very good communication with the directors. Maro, who has been a costume designer for thirty years, and has worked with TADW for nine, says that when working with directors, “they tell me ideas, I tell them whether it will work or not, I just really, really have to listen.”

She also says that for The Jungle Book she pulled most of her inspiration from her childhood. She spoke of the Russian version of The Jungle Book simply entitled Mowgli, as though she were talking about a childhood friend. She also noted that when the directors told her they were thinking in the theme of Bollywood that, “it was like opening up a whole new world, and the possibilities were just like - wow.”

Ann who has been costume designing for 16 years, and working with CSUN for eleven, says that for this play she’s been able to draw on the already, “wonderful costumes here at CSUN,” and doing some research into the time period. “It’s been very important for the director and myself to get the colors and time period right.”

While these amazing designers are hard at work creating the perfect outfit, (having only two to three weeks to dress an entire cast) TADW students are popping in and out of the dressing rooms, (some with furry animal skins, others looking like proper ladies and gents) giggling at each other, and strutting their stuff as they get to see the character they are portraying come to life. “Working with kids is so much better than working with adults.” Says Ann Wilson, “It doesn’t matter what you put them in; they are always excited about their costume.” As we continued to talk she looked at me and said, “Take this shirt for example, -she held up a small, long sleeve, yellow, plain, button up tee, and then looked at the boy who will be wearing it- if his mother bought him this exact same shirt at JC Penney he wouldn’t look twice. But because he gets to be Winthrop in this shirt, it’s instantly cool.”

But these remarkable costume designers are so much more than extremely skilled seamstresses, they both have wonderful hearts for the students at TADW (they also both either have children in the program or working in TADW). Maro told me that she, “just loves this age group. I enjoy seeing their work and their different levels of talent and commitment. Working with these students helps me with my own children.” Ann told me that her favorite part of TADW was the “…collaborative process. These students are committed and serious to working on their skills. I’ve worked at middle schools and other places, and those kids don’t have the same commitment and work ethic that TADW students do.”

These ladies don’t just dress these kids to make them look good; they dress them so they feel good. Which is yet another amazing example of how TADW doesn’t just simple focus on making the students looking good on the outside, but also instilling them with confidence on the inside.

Hailey Graves

Jungle Book and Remo Drum Company

2011-07-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

As if we weren't already excited enough about this summer's production of Jungle Book, the steady rhythm of drums throughout Nordhoff Hall is keeping our spirits - and curiosity - up! And we have Remo Drum Company to thank - they've provided a tremendous selection of drums for our production, and in turn, we want to be sure you all know that just a few miles down the road - in North Hollywood - you can attend a free community drum circle just about any Tuesday night at Remo Music Center: RMC.

Remo Belli started Remo Drum Company years ago with some of the first synthetic drum heads to hit the market. They became popular fast, because animal skins, which had been used to make drum heads since the first drums, change tone according to heat, weather changes, humidity.

But enough about the technology of drumming - go out and play and bring your friends. Drum circles don't require any musical expertise, they just require a spirit of curiosity and a desire to have fun! And when you do go, let 'em know you're connected to Teenage Drama Workshop!

No One Wanted to Wake Up

2011-07-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

The sights and Sounds of TADW – No one wanted to wake up…

Friday was a blur of flannel, fuzzy bunny slippers, footie pajamas, laughter and shouts of “hurry up!” as TADW students scuttled into place for the group photo! It was pajama day at TADW (the first of many themed Fridays) and practically everyone including staff, got into the comfy spirit and wore their PJ’s! These themed Fridays are created by the students, and can range from "wear your PJ’s" to "come dressed as your favorite super hero."

These simple weekly events actually strengthen theatrical skills: participants discover yet another way to get in touch with their imagination and creativity, and the group participation boosts a sense of cohesiveness among the students.

These events also show a glimpse at the heart within the Teenage Drama Workshop. TADW is so much more than a summer program where kids grow in their skills as young actors, singers, dancers and techies; it’s a family where you can feel comfortable to be yourself, no questions asked.

I can’t wait to find out next Friday’s theme!

By Hailey Graves, TADW Alum, intern and blogger.

More pics on our facebook page (and coming soon to Flickr).

The Jungle Talent

2011-06-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

Sights and Sounds of TADW: The Jungle Talent

And this is just a few of 'em!

It's day four at TADW (Teenage Drama Workshop) and the classes kicked it into high gear today. The creative juices started flowing and kids were stretched both mentally in their acting classes and physically in their dance classes. In all this stretching and growing the students are starting to discover talents they never knew they had, and the faculty and staff are noticing as well.

Ronnie Sperling and Corky Dominguez, the directors of The Jungle Book, both agree that this summer brought us yet another crop of remarkable kids.

Ronnie, who also teaches the improv class, informed me today over lunch that the students are really getting into it, and was blown away by some of the things they were doing in class. Corky - in-between preparing for rehearsals - told me that he is just so excited about, “the cast and all of its great potential. We've still got a lot of work to do we are just barely scratching the surface.” But even so the talent flowing off these kids is incredible!

The directors are not just excited about their students but also the amazing set and props and costumes they have to work with.

They only gave me a few tidbits about what the audience can expect, but for the most part they are keeping pretty tight lipped.

However, Corky said, "I will tell you this the costumes are just unique, and so different than what you would expect in a 'kids' performance." And Ronnie chimed the *Remo drums are a great addition.

*REMO Drums has made a dramatic selection of drums available to us for our performances. We will tell you more about REMO later, but for this post, suffice it to say, Remo cares about kids, the arts, and giving us a driving rhythm for an amazing show!

Another blog entry by Hailey Graves, student intern for TADW. She starts her sophomore year at CSUN this fall. She is also a TADW alum.

The Sights and Sounds of TADW...

2011-06-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

...It's the Magic that Permeates the Walls

by Hailey Graves

We are three days into the 2011 Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) and that wonderful hum is already rumbling through the building. I’m not simply being metaphorical here; there is a literal humming. It’s not just the singing that comes from the two musicals we are doing this year (although I must say both already sound phenomenal) every single room has its own unique magical sound track, and there is only a handful of us who are lucky enough to get hear all of it!

Beth Lasky, managing director of TADW, pointed it out today at a meeting, “Someone needs to get a camera because there are so many wonderful things happening, just listen.” Being without a camera, I decided to put pencil to paper instead.

On entering Nordhoff Hall, the first room you hit is the costume shop. It is organized in a beautiful chaos of floral patterns, jungle masks, elephant trunks, delicate flowing dresses and manly waistcoats and trousers circa early 1900’s - all of which are being made to the beat of the sewing machines and laughs. Directly across the hall (where The Jungle Book is being rehearsed), a mysterious drumming noise comes from behind the doors, along with the hiss of a snake, and the shrieking laughs of monkeys.

A little further down the hall lies the scene shop. The smell of fresh cut wood, glue, and new paint perfume the air. There is also a harmonious buzz of drills, saws, hammers, whistles, and jokes, as these talented people slowly start to bring imaginary worlds to life. To the left and one door down in the green room we find Chris, our acting teacher working with the young Devon who will play Baloo in Jungle Book. Both are laughing and saying nonsense sentences, as they work on perfecting their deep baritone papa bear voices.

Up the stairs and straight ahead, the rhythmic thumps of dancing feet float from the dance room, along with the voice of dance instructor Candy calling out, "and one and two and three" and so on. Outside the room is Ray, director of Music Man. He skillfully and gently critiques and perfects a scene with his talented young actors.

Tomorrow I’ll remember my camera.

Hailey Graves is a student intern for TADW. She starts her sophomore year at CSUN this fall. She is also a TADW alum.

Parent/Guardian Committee Meeting Friday 7/1

2011-06-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Parents, Guardians: We look forward to seeing you at the premiere TADW Parent/Guardian Committee Meeting this Friday, July 1, 2011 from 2:30-4:00pm in the Theater Conference Room 104.

Each summer this committee helps organize several aspects of TADW from events to ushering and concessions. The weekly Friday meetings are a great opportunity to meet other families and share questions and concerns. All parents and guardians are welcome - and encouraged to attend - we need you!

Also at the meeting, we'll have a sign-up sheet for ushers. All ushers get to see the show for free (if there is room in the theater).

Headshots will be taken of all TADW students in the coming weeks. These will go on display in the cases outside the theatres. We'll shoot pics after the 11 am Saturday performances of Jungle Book on July 23, and Music Man on July 30. This means students will need to remain at TADW after the performance.

The Money Side:

Ticket Selling - There are still plenty of tickets for weeknight and weekend performances. We need everyone’s help to fill up the theatre. Spread the word: Tickets can be ordered online by going to the TADW website, by calling the TICKET OFFICE (818) 677-2488, or at the Associated Students Ticket Office (in Plaza del Sol in the USU) on campus.

Sponsor A TADWanian! We are looking for individuals, families, and businesses who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution and sponsor under-privileged youth organizations by buying tickets for them to see our shows. Please contact Doug Kaback to make a donation or to sponsor a group of your choice.

Concessions Stand - We will be collecting your contributions to the TADW concessions stand beginning Tuesday, July 5 – canned sodas/bottled water/juice boxes (or other re-sellable drinks) and/or candy bars/cookies/chips/etc. All items should be pre-packaged. If families would prefer to make a cash donation for the purchase of snacks or drinks, that’s fine, too. All proceeds from the concessions stand go to the TADW scholarship fund.

Remember: NO CLASSES OR REHEARSALS - Monday, July 4, 2011.

Have a fun and safe holiday! See you on the 5th!

KIIS FM Talks with TADW

2011-06-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

TADW talks with Boy Toy Jesse at KIIS FM Click play and slide to 14:14 to hear the interview with Doug Kaback, interns Janine Der Bogosian, Leore Hayon and Hailey Graves (TADW alum).

It's all about how TADW feeds creativity, from actors, singers, dancers to techs. Whether you plan to stay in the theatre arts for life or just want to learn more about making life fun and productive - at the same time - a summer (or several) in TADW is a great thing.

The Cast Lists are HERE!

2011-06-19T00:41:00.000-07:00

Below are the cast lists for The Jungle Book and Music Man. Congratulations to everyone!

Jungle Book Cast List

Baloo / Devon Yaffe

Mowgli / Joshua Thomas
Bagheera / Kaitlyn Rickaby
King Louie / Annie Resnik
Shere Khan / Kyle Yeh
Kaa / Savannah Ludwig
Colonel Hathi / Michael Dager
Winifred / Charlotte Andersen
Hathi Jr. / Maya Efrat
Shanti / Kaitlyn Katalbas
Buzz, Flaps, Izzy, Dizzy / Ariana George, Milli Miereanu, Sydney Reyes, Kate Westrum

(not necessarily in that order)

Ensemble:
Corey Adams
Wylie Anderson
Joseph Andrade
Maggie Bendersky
Mara Eisner
Emilie Gengl
Abhijnya Gouder
Alexa James-Cardenas
Jayda Lammy
Kyla Lockette
Sarah MacLennan
Amulya Madhav
Paulina Mirabella
Arthur Parian
Haley Perkins
Chandler Pratt
Leaf Rickard
Morgan Skeries
Ashley Stanford-Jackson
Caitlin Vasquez

End of Jungle Book Cast List

Music Man Cast List

Harold Hill / Aaron Jacob
Marion / Natalie Hightower
Mrs. Paroo / Kathy Steele
Winthrop / Colin Mika
Tommy/Salesman / Daniel Bellusci
Marcellus / Josh Knoller
Mayor Shinn / August Robinson
Eulalie / Elizabeth Lloyd
Amaryllis / Julia Lester
Zaneeta / Yael Karoly
Charlie / Luke Dorsey
Gracie / Chloe Kerwin
Constable / Jeremy Popowitz
Pick-a-Little Ladies /Lily Lester, Maya Escobar, Jessica Garcia, Genevieve Collins
Barbershop Quartet /Evan Sanford, Zach Birch, Kasey Klar, Chris Gates
Additional Salesmen / To be Determined

Ensemble:

Camden Garcia

Allison Norton
Theo Robinson
Analisa Venolia
Grace Papish
Grace Jacobsen
Jeff Wright
Karli Klar
Nikita Michayluk

Nicholas Hsia

Abigail Franks
Alex Lucas
Lily Schwartz
Laura McDermott
Sarah Lasky
Paige Jensen
Camille Roberts
Isabel Wynne
Angelica Mejia
Ashley Taylor
Brianna Bongiorno
Sara Renner
Talya Nathanson
Emily Bernstein
Sarah Carpenter
Shannon Carpenter
Alyssa Spratt
Sarah Tyler

End of Music Man cast list.

TADW Auditions: June 11 and 18th

2011-05-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

TADW Auditions are June 11 and 18th from 8:30am - 12:15pm.

All performers are required to attend both sessions, for the whole day. Techies, it's optional for you, but you're encouraged to come to both. It's always good to know a show inside and out as best you can!

More details will appear here soon. Also keep coming back for auditioning tips. And find out what Corky Dominguez has to say about making the cut for Junglebook.

See you on the Saturdays 6/11 and 6/18!

Corky Dominguez: On Making the Cut

2011-05-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

Corky Dominguez, co-director of this summer's Junglebook, talks about what it takes to make the cut, and how a summer spent working in the theatre is the gift that keeps on giving.

A Lesson from Lee Strasberg

2011-04-29T18:19:00.001-07:00

You'll meet a lot of great acting teachers in life. Today, meet Lee Strasberg.

What's more, here's more!

Meet the TADW Costume Designer: Maro

2011-04-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

Maro will be making lots of animals - get ready for Junglebook!

Ronnie Sperling is Ready to Direct Junglebook

2011-04-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

We're doing Junglebook this summer, and Ronnie Sperling is the director. Wherever you're coming from, one show or a dozen, the immersion of TADW brings students up to a professional production level all while having a great time!

Meet the Music Man Directors at the Meet & Greet Sunday, 4/17 1-2:30

2011-04-11T23:35:00.000-07:00

Meet the directors of our second show this summer, Music Man, Raymond Saar and Diane Ketchie-Saar, right here, right now in the virtual world.

Meet them in the real world this Sunday at the TADW Meet & Greet. Details about the event appear on the post that follows this one (below). See you Sunday, yes?

Meet and Greet Sunday, April 17th, 1 - 2:30

2011-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's time for the annual pre-summer TADW Meet & Greet on the CSUN Campus (18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, 91330) in the CSUN Theatre Building (Nordhoff Hall) room 107 (aka, the Organ Room). Sunday, April 17, 1-2:30.

We'll have music, refreshments and lots of info about this summer's program. Welcome returning participants, alumni and new or prospective students and/or families.

Please share this info to anyone who might be interested in TADW this summer - bring 'em along!

Questions, RSVP's? Call Brent at 818-571-4007 or email him at BrentRosen79@gmail.com by April 10th. (Let Brent know whether you plan to sign up for the acting program or the technical theatre program.)

We hope you are as excited as we are for this summer's TADW program! (Way!)

Five Jungle Book Fun Facts

2011-04-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

TADW's putting on Disney's Jungle Book this summer! Here are five fun facts!

1) The original Jungle Book was written by Rudyard Kipling. Want to study story development? Read the original: free download here.

2) Disney's 1967 animated film version of Jungle Book, inspired by the Mowgli stories in Kipling's book, reworks some of the elements of the plot, characters and even the pronunciation of the characters' names.

3) Disney's Robin Hood, features a version of Little John (voiced by Phil Harris) that strongly resembles Baloo.

4) Turns out Baloo also speaks Dutch!

5) Jungle Book was done in Anime as a Japanese series in the late 1980's:

Meet and Greet is April 17th

2011-03-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

Event time has been corrected:

Save the date for the TADW Meet and Greet - it's Sunday, April 17th, 1:00 - 2:30. This is a great opportunity to meet other students who will be in TADW this summer, plus friends, families, and of course your directors. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage," and at the annual TADW meet and greet you start to get a sense of what you can do with it! More details coming soon!

Breaking into Song

2011-03-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we don't always get to break into full scale musicals in public like these guys do, but who knows what a summer in TADW could lead to?

The video above is by "Improv Everywhere" and is not affiliated with TADW or CSUN.

It Could All Start with a TADW Summer...

2011-03-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

Marylata E. Jacob has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in music that includes work on award-winning feature films, collaborations with a number of legendary musical artists and her own Grammy nomination.

But it is her son’s accomplishments with Cal State Northridge’s acclaimed Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) that get Jacob so excited that she can hardly contain her enthusiasm. Last year, Aaron Jacob, in his second year with the program was cast as “Mr. Mayor” in “Seussical—The Musical.” He sang “Through Heaven’s Eyes,” a song from the DreamWorks’ musical drama “The Prince of Egypt”—a film for which Marylata Jacob served as Artistic Director, Music.

Marylata E. Jacob (second from right) with the late Wendie Jo Sperber and fellow members of Teenage Drama Workshop during the 1970s. (Photo courtesy of Marlata Jacob)

“I can’t believe that he’s singing that song,” Jacob said, her eyes glistening with pride. “You know, in a way, I started my career in music as a member of Teenage Drama Workshop back in the 1970s. This is such a wonderful program, there was no way he wasn’t going to be part of it.”

Aaron Jacob is just one of several TADW alumni whose parents are also alumni of the program.

“The workshop has been around 53 years,” said executive director for the past 14 years, Doug Kaback, a CSUN theater professor. “We are seeing more and more of the children of former students of the program. It’s so exciting, and it only reinforces how meaningful Teenage Drama Workshop has been to the community, not just to the Cal State Northridge community.”

The TADW program immerses about 80 kids in the day-to-day reality of a professional troupe—from designing, lighting, costumes and sets to learning lines and choreography.

The program started out as an activity for teens that would call attention to the cultural resources available at the brand new campus of what was then San Fernando Valley State College. Over the years, the workshop has grown into a nationally acclaimed drama programs for teenagers, and one of the nation’s oldest.

The workshop is open to students entering grades 7-12. In the morning, the teenagers attend classes that focus on acting, voice and dance and can choose electives in improvisation, musical theater, playwriting and the technical aspect of theater production. The afternoons are spent in rehearsals.

The cast of a 1970s Teenage Drama Workshop production. (Photo courtesy of Marylata Jacob)

Marylata Jacob attended TADW from 1973-1975, as did Leslie Patterson, whose son, Michael, handled the soundboard for “Seussical” last year. During their time in the workshop, Jacob and Patterson were part of the cast and crew of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which starred a young Mare Winningham as “Puck.” Jacob was on the makeup crew and Patterson played the role of “Hermia.”

Jacob and Patterson, a successful theatrical producer in the Bay Area, recalled that many of their fellow “TADWanians” would go on to achieve success in the entertainment industry, including Winningham and actors Arye Gross, Elizabeth McGovern and the late Wendie Jo Sperber.

“So many of us went on to jobs in the entertainment industry,” Patterson said. “There was something about that experience that really made an impact on our lives. I wanted that for my sons.”
Patterson said she spent summers trying to find the right camp for her boys, Andrew and Michael. She was looking for a place where her sons could explore their interests under the guidance of seasoned professionals and educators in a supportive, nurturing environment.

“The division between cool or not cool, that doesn’t happen at TADW,” she said. “Everybody is working together to produce something. When people share a common goal, that makes a difference. There is something about TADW that just turned that light on and showed me who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. I can see the same happening with my sons. There is something magical about that program.”

From left, Michael, Leslie and Andrew Patterson.

Patterson’s belief in the program is such that she and Michael temporarily relocated to CSUN from Marin County this summer so he could attend the workshop. Patterson did the same for her older son Andrew in the early 2000s.

Aaron Jacob said he could understand why the Pattersons made the commute. He said he thoroughly enjoyed “to the fullest extent” his time at TADW. “I loved the environment and the truly professional productions they put on,” he said.

Abridged from CSUN Press Release by Carmen Chandler, University Relations.

Meet the TADW PR Interns: Janine and Leore

2011-02-25T00:04:00.000-08:00

Leore Hayon and Janine Der Bogosian

JanineDer Bogosian:

I found out early in life that I have two passions: public relations andtheater. I’ve been fortunate enough to find a path that combines both. After graduating from Pasadena High School in 2007, I decided to enroll in CalState Northridge’s remarkable journalism program. It was here that I decided thatmy personality and strengths lay in Public Relations, and began to pursue acareer in the wonderful world of PR.

Meanwhile, I seasoned my passion for theater by enrolling in acting classes at PlayhouseWest School & Repertory Theater in Studio City. I met incrediblefriends and teachers who taught me the true art of acting and its importance inour world.

I began working on internships, including one at a non-profit organizationcalled Sealed With a Wish, that sends care packages to American troops livingin combat zones. I gained vital Public Relations experience that has proven to betremendously helpful in my career endeavors.

When I obtained an internship with the CSUN Teenage Drama Workshop, I couldn’t help butthink how perfect it was. TADW is an incredible program with a dynamiccommunity of teachers, students, young actors and leaders. Not only do I havethe opportunity for PR work with a theater workshop, but I can also work withmy best friend, Leore Hayon, who I met here at CSUN a few years ago. We havetaken all our coursework together and learned that we make a strong team.

Both Leore and I have felt extremely welcomed by TADW and have grown togetherso much already. We have created a Twitter account for Teenage Drama Workshop (www.twitter.com/CSUNtadw), and we’vebeen so blessed to meet inspirational leaders such as actor, producer anddirector Allan Rich.

When I was in high school, I would’ve absolutely loved to be involved in aprogram such as TADW. This drives me to even more excitement to spread the wordabout the summer workshops and performances to the community. I cannot wait tosee this year’s program unfold with the beauty that TADW has proven to createeach year.

Leore Hayon:

I grew up in studio city, California and made my way to CSUN after graduatinghigh school from Montclair College Prep to study journalism. I always excelled in writing and figured journalism was the best route forme to take in my college career. Specializing in public relations, this alsosuits my personality as a social butterfly.

Throughout college I have interned at various places including a fashion PRboutique (HL Group), a record label (Warner Music Group), and non profitorganization (Echoes of Hope). My latest internship and venture is with TADW.

I was lucky enough to meet Janine in our Journalism 110 news writing classfreshman year. We immediately connected and managed to stick togetherthroughout school, making sure we registered for the same classes everysemester. Our friendship has grown throughout the years and we have also provento work together very well too. Bouncing ideas off each other and using our PRknowledge, Janine and I are working hard to help TADW in any way we can. Wehave felt so welcomed and appreciated for our efforts so far, making thisinternship an extremely fulfilling experience. As we believe in what TADW hasto offer for the San Fernando Valley's youth.

We have already created the TADW twitter account, written a PR plan, created aflyer, visited local schools to raise awareness of the program, and made ashort video featuring TADW's supporter Allan Rich. There is much more to come!

(They work so well together we thought they'd known each other since birth! -ed.)

Allan Rich Offers Scholarship to TADW

2011-02-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

Renowned Actor, Producer and Director Allan Rich makes an offer from his non-profit organization, "We Care About Kids" to sponsor select students into the CSUN Teenage Drama Workshop as a great community involvement project. He talks about theatre as a tool for character development, whether you want to act, produce, write, build sets, or simply get to know yourself better and find your fit in the world. Learn more at: http://www.csun.edu/tadw/ and http://wecareaboutkids.org/

Here's What TADW's Like

2011-02-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

Still on the fence about coming to TADW this summer? Step into the world of it through TADW onYouTube:

There's still a discount available - a hundred bucks off if you sign up by March 1st. Enroll now!

TADW Music Man Musical Director Performing

2011-02-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Diane Ketchie is returning to TADW this summer to teach the vocal classes and serve as Musical Director for Music Man. This Saturday night, February 19th at 7:30pm, she's singing a solo recital in the Recital Hall of the Music Building (Cypress) right next to Nordhoff Hall where you are used to attending classes.

She'll be singing songs by Arne, Schubert, Obradors and 2 groups by marvelous American composers and is also playing an exciting two piano work, Scaramouche by Milhaud, with her fabulous accompanist, William Vendice.

Tickets are very reasonable ($10 for general admission) and all proceeds go towards scholarships for CSUN music students. For ticket info, please call 818 677-2488 or visit the music department's calendar and scroll down to Feb. 19th. It's a musically varied, fun show! And stay afterwards for a reception. Newcomers: this is a great opportunity to meet Diane.

Imagine Your Summer with TADW

2011-02-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

If you've already signed up for TADW this summer, congratulations! Your fun is assured whether you're going for production or performance! If you're still thinking about it, remember there's still a hundred dollar discount if you apply by March 1st.

If you want to be a performer, you could start thinking about your audition, but why not start by daydreaming?

All students in the performance track need to audition for the musical and the play and will be evaluated in voice, dance and acting. Think about what you want to do, not what you think you should do or what might look good from the outside. Consider acting as an internal process and see what you come up with.

Find out more about auditioning on the TADW webpage. You'll need to make some decisions at some point, but for now, let your imagination do the work!

70 Year Acting Career: Appreciation

2011-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

When you find the right career, it's a great thing. When that career turns out to be acting, you'll meet with a lot of cynicism and also a lot of hype. Somewhere in between that is the place to focus your attention: on the craft and art of acting. That's what Ernest Borgnine did and his success as an actor has spanned over seventy years. Yesterday, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors' Guild.

"The 94-year-old [Ernest] Borgnine was honored for a film and television career spanning 70 years. He won an Oscar for his lead role as a socially awkward bachelor in 1955's 'Marty,' and remains active in showbusiness. He tearfully recalled how his mother first asked him if he ever thought about becoming an actor after he returned home from World War II. 'Yes, it all started with a question - have you ever thought of becoming an actor?' he said. 'Well, I went ahead and became an actor.'"

Remember: you can still get a $100 discount for the TADW this summer if you apply by March 1st - that's a month away, so don't delay!

Happy New Year: The Craft of Acting

2011-01-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's been a cold, rainy winter, butTADW promises to bring a fun, exciting summer! As the time spent indoors naturally invites contemplation, consider deeply the craft of acting with this helpful insight from one of the masters, Sir Ian McKellen, as shared with Ricky Gervais:

There's Still Time to Save $$$

2010-12-22T01:56:00.000-08:00

The end of the *winter of your discontent is coming soon! Something to look forward to for next summer - and maybe an Academy Award - or even better, lots of great new friends and fun experiences!

The $200 discount for early registration to the CSUN teenage drama workshop for Summer 2011 is still in play.

Apply by 12/31/2010 and get the $200 discount. (You'll still be able to get a $100 off if you apply by 03/01/2011).

Get more info on the TADW webpage: http://www.csun.edu/tadw/

Yes, we keep bringing this up, but it's a great holiday gift idea - and here it is, December 22nd already!

*Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York;
And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Richard The Third Act 1, scene 1, 1–4

TADW BIG discount - but hurry!

2010-12-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

There's still time to get your $200 discount for early registration to the CSUN teenage drama workshop for Summer 2011 if you apply by 12/31!

If you miss that deadline, you can still get $100 off if you apply by 03/01/2011.

Register online! More info further down this blog and at the TADW webpage: http://www.csun.edu/tadw/

$250 deposit ($100 of that is non-refundable).

We're doing Jungle Book, Music Man and the 10 Minute Play Festival which will feature original short plays by teen writers.

The Marsha Hunt Tribute

2010-12-06T22:28:00.000-08:00

At a recent TADW event at the LA Family Housing building in North Hollywood, Owen Panno, Lindsay Kazan and Kaitlyn Wolf performed a song Marsha Hunt wrote entitled, "Cry of a Refugee Child" in her honor. Ms Hunt was one of the founders of TADW in 1957 and is now in her 90's.

FromOwen Panno's blog:

Considering I’m still digesting my Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas season is fast approaching, it seems an appropriate time to reminisce and reflect on my experiences with an absolutely phenomenal woman – Marsha Hunt. I had the pleasure of serving as TADW staff liaison, and, with TADW alumni Kaitlyn Wolf and Lindsay Kazan, performed at a tribute organized for Ms. Hunt at the LA Family Housing building on Lankershim Boulevard on Sunday, November 14.

Marsha Hunt, 93 years young, was one of the co-founders of the Teenage Drama Workshop along with William Schlosser. Before that though she was an actress with several dozen film credits to her name. As described by Roger Memos, a documentary filmmaker who organized this benefit, she was “the first Angelina Jolie” – as early as the 1940s she used her celebrity to champion causes she believed in, not for her own personal gain but to assist others less fortunate.

Unfortunately for her career, these activities led to her being blacklisted in the mid-1950s. This did not deter her, though – as her career began to wane she dedicated herself further to the causes dear to her heart. Alongside the Teenage Drama Workshop, other non-profit organizations she assisted present at the benefit were Planned Parenthood, Tree People, and the hosts, LA Family Housing.

The Teenage Drama Workshop was asked to perform a song written by Ms. Hunt – on top of her acting talents, she is an accomplished songwriter. The song we performed, “Cry of a Refugee Child,” was written in 1978 as a response to the forgotten Vietnamese children during the Vietnam War and the aftermath of the fall of Saigon.

I created a new arrangement of the song and two-part harmonies based on Marsha’s original sheet music. Afterward, she remarked how thrilled she was to hear others singing her song as she had never heard anybody else sing it. She also related to us that, surprisingly, she was not aware of the workshop’s continued existence until she came across TADW’s 2007 production of Peter Pan – Marsha was thrilled and delighted to see how her program had evolved and continued.

I think more than anything the three of us were astounded by was how dedicated Marsha was to all the causes she contributed to. As they all spoke of their work, Marsha was right there to ask how things had changed in the years since she worked closely with them, asking if they required volunteers and glowing in her recommendations of their services. After our presentation, we were invited on a tour of the LA Family Housing facility – which was a derelict hotel bought, renovated, and repurposed for use by single struggling adults looking to find a way up and out.

We were led through rooms filled with clothes, computer rooms to teach residents about the internet, and a long-term residence center designed to help its residents transition into apartment living. Perhaps the most touching moment of the whole afternoon occurred during our tour when several of the residents, having just learned how beneficial Marsha had been to them, asked politely to speak to her; she took time out from the tour to greet every resident, shake their hand, hug them, offer words of comfort and reassurance. It was truly touching and, I believe, extremely representative of the woman we were so lucky to meet and get to know that day.

In 1978, Marsha Hunt began her “Thankful Giving” initiative. She believed that families at their Thanksgiving table should pass a hat, collecting whatever can be given to donate to a charity of the host’s choice. She was asked by President Jimmy Carter to draft a bill, which had the support of over 200 members of the 95th Congress. President Carter even described the practice in detail in his 1978 Thanksgiving address; unfortunately, national economics prevented a widespread promotional campaign for the idea and it has not caught on widely in this country. Undeterred though, Marsha soldiers on – always cheerful and pleasant, but firm and confident in belief and manner.

Owen Panno 11/2010

$200 off Summer 2011 TADW - with app by 12/31!

2010-12-03T00:31:00.000-08:00

Please help us get the word out - there's a $200 discount for early registration to the CSUN teenage drama workshop for Summer 2011. We're doing Jungle Book, Music Man and the 10 Minute Play Festival which will feature original short plays by teen writers.

Save money! If you apply by 12/31/2010 there's a $200 discount. If you miss that deadline, you can still get $100 off if you apply by 03/01/2011.

All registration is online, (even if you apply online and mail in a check). Financial aid is available, forms are on the downloads page here: http://www.csun.edu/tadw/downloads.html

Get more info on the TADW webpage: http://www.csun.edu/tadw/

Also, there is a $250 deposit (to show you're serious) and $100 of that is non-refundable. See this summer with your, "I'm $200 richer than I would have been if I'd waited til 2011 to sign up for Teenage Drama Workshop!" smile on your face.

TADW Featured in CSUN Video about Summer Programs

2010-11-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

Skip ahead to 1:45 for a great feature on the Teenage Drama Workshop, just one of the great Summer programs at CSUN. And special thanks to alumna Marylata Jacob for her kind words about TADW!

State Theatre Group Honors CSUN’s Acclaimed Teenage Drama Workshop

2010-10-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Cal State Northridge’s acclaimed Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW)—an intense summer program that immerses teenagers in the day-to-day reality of a professional theater troupe—has been hailed by the California Educational Theatre Association for its contributions to theater education. READ THE FULL BLOG POST FROM THE CSUN NEWSROOM.

Pictured at left: CSUN theater professor and TADW executive director Doug Kaback and director Cork Dominguez.

Masai Warrior Chant Closes 53rd TADW

2010-08-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

At the conclusion of today's Munch and Crunch celebration, Prof. Doug Kaback led the Masai Warrior Chant that traditionally opens and closes the workshop.

Scholarship Winners Announced at Munch & Crunch

2010-08-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lindsay Kazan (2nd from right) for winning TADW's Alan Oldham Scholarship. Lindsay will attend CSUN in the fall as a Music major and Theatre minor.

Congratulations to design-tech student Glen Howes (2nd from right) for winning TADW's Sam Loeb "Spirit of TADW" Scholarship. Named for a TADW student who lost his battle with cancer, this full TADW scholarship is given annually to the student who best exemplifies the spirit of the workshop - namely leadership, friendship, artistry and commitment. Loeb family members and friends provide the funding for this annual award.

Congratulations to Lindsay Robb (center) for winning TADW's Maryellen Clemons scholarship. Named for longtime, legendary TADW director and instructor Maryellen Clemons, professor emeritus from CSUN’s Department of Theatre who also served as acting chair of the department, the award is given to the “ideal” TADW student. Presented at the end of the summer it includes a half-scholarship for the following year.

Munch and Crunch: The "Mary Poppins" Medley

2010-08-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here's just a little snippet of what went down at today's Munch and Crunch recital and musical theatre review. Working within their theme of "Movie Musicals," students in the 53rd Teenage Drama Workshop's musical theatre elective prepared musical numbers from famous films. (Choreography by Candy Sherwin and Music Direction by Ed Archer.) We think you'll recognize this movie (and recent Broadway and touring hit!). Stick with it until the VERY end to see just how hard these kids work. Great show, everyone!

Munch and Crunch is Sunday, August 8 at 10 a.m.

2010-08-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

Join us Sunday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Campus Theatre in CSUN's Nordhoff Hall for "Munch and Crunch." This annual recital features students from TADW's musical theatre elective. The theme for this year's program is "Movie Musicals".

Beginning at 10 a.m., the Musical Theatre elective class will present their amazing repertoire. Small groups from voice and dance classes also will perform, giving students the opportunity to showcase what they have been doing in their classes for the past six weeks. There is no charge for admission. Parking is $6 in Lot B1.

Following the morning program, we invite you to join us for a picnic lunch outside on the grass. For those who pre-ordered, a Subway lunch will be provided. (You may also bring your own lunch.) The students and staff of the workshop eat free. After lunch we will acknowledge all the TADW students with certificates as well as present other special awards. And stick around for a special treat from veteran TADW students. (You won't want to miss it!)

Our schedule for the day breaks down like this:

10:00am – 12:30pm         Performances by our TADW classes
12:30pm – 1:30pm           Lunch
1:30pm – 2:30pm             Awards ceremony

Visitors from William Grant Still Art Center Enjoyed "Seussical"

2010-08-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Students from the William Grant Still Arts Center in Los Angeles spent some time with members of the cast of "Seussical" following the closing performance on Friday, Aug. 6. Thanks for coming to the show, kids!

Shows Close, Set Strikes Begin

2010-08-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

With "Seussical" and "Alice in Wonderland" concluding their successful runs, the casts of both shows are busy today striking their sets, taking down lights, putting away costumes and generally sweeping up!

10-Minute Play Festival Thurs. Aug. 5 and Fri. Aug. 6

2010-08-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

TADW actors, playwrights and directors are busy in dress rehearsals as they prepare for opening night of the 10-Minute Play Festival on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 (Photos from today's dress-tech rehearsal are up on our Flicker page here and here.)

Parent Information (Links)

2010-08-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

With just a few days left in the 53rd Teenage Drama Workshop at CSUN, here are a few important items for parents.

Below, you'll find links to download PDFs of the final TADW newsletter (chock full of important info!), the order form for lunch at Sunday's Munch and Crunch celebration (the culmination of TADW -- all are invited), and a copy of our Parent Evaluation Form. Thanks so much!

FYI: These were also sent out today by email and your child received hard copies of the newsletter and Munch and Crunch form to bring home.

PARENT LINKS:

Parent Evaluation Form

FINAL TADW parent newsletter

Munch and Crunch Announcement / Lunch Order Form

"Seussical" Photo Links

2010-08-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:
"Seussical" Pix from Papa Stewart on Flickr (Great closeups and wide shots; high resolution!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadw/sets/72157624521808549/

"Seussical" Pix on Facebook (Danielle Fairlee's album - wide shots). Lower-resolution but easy to share for Facebook members. If you cannot see the album, you may need to "friend request" Danielle Sanford Fairlee:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2074345&id=1198117402

"Seussical" (Fairlee album-wide shots) on Flickr. Higher resolution. Same photos as in Fairlee album on Facebook, but suitable for downloading or reprinting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadw/sets/72157624625321968

"Seussical" (Miereanu album - lots of great closeups from show and photo call) on Flickr. High resolution:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadw/sets/72157624521148887/

If we get any more albums uploaded to our various networking sites, we'll update! Thanks!

Updated Ticket Availability for Remaining TADW Performances!!

2010-08-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

As of Aug. 2, tickets are still available for the following performances:

"Seussical" on Wed. Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.
"Seussical" on Thurs. Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. (just a few!!)
"Seussical" on Fri. Aug. 6 at 11 a.m.
"Alice in Wonderland" on Sat. Aug. 7 at 11 a.m.

Call the AS Ticket Office at (818) 677-2488.

Please note that the following performances are SOLD OUT*:
Seussical and Alice in Wonderland - 11 a.m. on 8/4
Alice in Wonderland - 11 a.m. on 8/5
10-Minute Play Festival - 7 p.m. on 8/5
Alice in Wonderland - 11 a.m. on 8/6
10-Minute Play Festival - 7 p.m. on 8/6
*For sold-out performances, a standby line will form at the TADW concession table. Admission is not guaranteed.

Tickets Still Available for Weekend Performances!

2010-07-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

No need to head to your local multiplex for a movie this weekend. Support LIVE THEATRE right here in your community. Come out to CSUN this weekend to see the Teenage Drama Workshop's wonderful productions of "Seussical" and "Alice in Wonderland." Tickets are still available.

Here is our schedule for this weekend:

Friday, July 30:

"Seussical" at 7 p.m. in the Campus Theatre

Saturday, July 31:

"Seussical" at 11 a.m. in the Campus Theatre
"Seussical" at 7 p.m. in the Campus Theatre
"Alice in Wonderland" at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre.

All performances are in Nordhoff Hall on the campus of Cal State Northridge. The closest parking is Lot B1 at Nordhoff and Darby. Parking is $6. Purchase a parking voucher from the dispenser in the lot before you head for the theatre.

The box office in Nordhoff Hall opens two hours before any TADW performance. Adults are $12, kids and seniors are $9. All tickets are general admission. Latecomers may not be seated. Additional info on buying tickets can be found here. Or, please visit our website.

Wacky-Tacky Dress-Up Day at TADW

2010-07-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

Wacky? Tacky? Or just "wacky-tacky?" Nope. Just another fun dress-up day at the Teenage Drama Workshop.

Donors, Supporters Honored at Dean's Reception

2010-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

TADW donors, parents and supporters were honored at a special reception Wednesday evening, hosted by Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication at Cal State Northridge. At the event, Dean Bucker thanked attendees for supporting the arts and supporting the children whose lives are affected by the Workshop. Held in the beautiful Organ Room in Nordhoff Hall, the event included a cameo appearance by the cast of "Alice in Wonderland". Attendees, including longtime TADW donors Allan Rich and Nancy Cartwright, were also invited to attend the opening night performance of "Seussical."

"Seussical" Sneak Peek

2010-07-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

TADW's production of "Seussical" opens Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Theatre in Nordhoff Hall at CSUN. Get your tickets today!

TADW Donor Featured in CSUN's "northridge" Magazine

2010-07-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Just spotted in our mailbox: The latest issue of CSUN's "northridge" magazine features TADW supporter Nancy Cartwright on the inside front cover. The item includes a nice mention of Nancy bringing "her enthusiastic support to CSUN's Teenage Drama Workshop."

Musical Theatre Class: Preparing for Munch & Crunch

2010-07-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

With "Alice" up and running and "Seussical" opening Wednesday, July 28, students in TADW's musical theatre elective are busy preparing for their "Munch and Crunch" revue, which will be held Sunday, Aug. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Campus Theatre.

This not-to-be-missed event is the annual culmination of TADW and will include the musical theatre performance as well as recital pieces from voice and dance classes. Lunch will be served (there will be a small fee for parents and guests), after which there will be several special presentations, including TADW awards and scholarships.

The theme for Munch and Crunch this year is "Movie Musicals", so get ready an entertaining day! Below, choreographer Candy Sherwin and the MT students work on several numbers.

Aherns & Flaherty: "Seussical" Composers

2010-07-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

When TADW's production of "Seussical" opens on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, audience members will delight in music and lyrics by one of Broadway's most illustrious songwriting teams: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Their body of work includes the renowned Broadway musical "Ragtime," for which they won the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Score and two Grammy nominations; "Seussical," also Grammy-nominated and now one of the most frequently performed shows around the world; the long-running hit "Once on This Island," which garnered eight Tony nominations, and the film "Anastasia," for which they received two Academy Award Nominations and two Golden Globe nominations.

For more information, visit www.ahrensandflaherty.com.

Noted TADW Alumni

2010-07-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Alex Borstein - Actress, Emmy-nominee
Don Burroughs - Actor
Marylata Elton Jacob (Latie Elton) - Grammy-nominated record producer
Arye Gross - Actor
Bill Irwin - Broadway actor, Tony Award winner
A.J. Langer - Actress
Wendy Jo Sperber - Actress
Mare Winningham - Actress, Oscar nominee

(Editor's Note: To submit someone for this list, please leave a comment below. We will update regularly.)

Memory Lane: Brent Rosen, the TADW Years

2010-07-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a blast from the past. Pictured at left: current TADW Managing Director Brent Rosen back when he was a student in the Workshop, circa 1995. Love the Boys II Men T-Shirt.

Dean Bucker Drops in on Company Meeting

2010-07-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

At the TADW Company Meeting on Friday, July 23, Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication at Cal State Northridge, spoke to students. Dean Bucker will host a special reception for TADW donors and parents on Wednesday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m., before the opening night of TADW's "Seussical". Thank you for your support of TADW, Dean Bucker!

(*Thanks to Becca Lasky for the cell phone photo!)

"Alice in Wonderland" - Photo Links

2010-07-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

For your downloading and sharing pleasure, here are links to pictures from today's photo call for the cast of "Alice in Wonderland"

Facebook (low-res, but easy to share if you're a Facebook member):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=458897&id=116259525292&ref=mf

Flickr (high-res, suitable for downloading and/or printing):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadw/sets/72157624574550978/

(Pictured: Cast and Crew of TADW's "Alice in Wonderland", July 24, 2010, CSUN, Nordhoff Hall, Little Theatre)

The Wonderful World of ... TADW!

2010-07-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

It was Disney Character Dress-Up Day today at TADW, so naturally the halls were filled with a bunch of characters.

LINK: CSUN Blog Story About 2nd Generation TADWanians!

2010-07-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Check out this wonderful story on CSUN's Blog today: http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/07/tadw-generations/

Alumni Q&A with James Magedman, TADW Program Collector Extraordinaire!

2010-07-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

(Editor's Note: Perusing the social network recently, TADW's Facebook moderator Danielle Fairlee stumbled upon a wonderful collection of scanned-in TADW programs. Facebook members will find it here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=149552&id=680353213&ref=mf. The extensive album covers the years 1981 to 1991. Needless to say, this terrific find just begged for more information. Herewith an interview with the collector, James Magedman, who attended TADW from 1982-1987, and worked in the program during the summers of 1988 and 1989.)

Q: You have an extensive collection of TADW programs scanned in and posted on Facebook -- probably the best we've seen. How did you come to have so many programs? What has been the reaction to your collection on Facebook? 

A: My mom took my brothers and I to our first show at TADW in 1975. I believe it was “Androcles and the Lion.” She took us to all the shows every year. I believe she enjoyed it as much as we did. My older brothers, Seth and Max, became students in 1979. I joined in 1982 and my younger brother, Neil, hopped on board in 1986.

Most of my collection came from the years I attended the Workshop. My older brothers were in "Oliver" the year before I showed up. I have a few friends from the years after I had left so I have a few of those as well.

All my friends on Facebook that viewed the collection loved mentally transporting themselves back to the days of the summer lovefest that is TADW. No one seemed to have any adverse reaction to it. Several comments included the phrase “best years of my life.” I concur.

Q: How has Facebook helped you keep in touch with TADW alumni?

A: I have remained in personal contact with many of my TADW friends over the last couple of decades. After I joined Facebook, that group multiplied 10x or more and (is still) growing. Friends are in contact with friends in contact with friends. My TADW programs collection helped add to that as well.

An amazing thing about my experience at TADW was that I made friends with teenagers several years older than me when I was in Group 1 and several years younger than me when I was in Group 6. I met thousands of wonderful and talented people over my many years. 

Q: What years did you attend the program? What shows were you in? (Did you go to CSUN?, etc.) What is your favorite memory of the Workshop? 

A: I attended TADW as a student for 6 years, from 1982 to 1987. During my time I acted in 3 plays onstage - “The Prince & the Pauper,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” In addition, I worked backstage on countless other plays. I ran sound and lights on several shows. I stage managed “The Fabulous Fable Factory.” After classes, when I was not rehearsing or working on a show, I very much loved to help build and paint sets in the construction shop as well as help out hang and focus lights. I was a happy monkey on a ladder.

In my final year I received the Alan Oldham Memorial Scholarship to attend CSUN. However, I received most of my college education at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Maria, CA, along with several other TADW Alumni, and received a B.F.A. In Theater from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

I also worked at TADW in the summers of 1988 and 1989, both in the office as well as assisting in classrooms. In the afternoons I assistant directed 2 plays - “Story Theater” and “Golliwhoppers.”

I cannot name a single favorite memory from my years at TADW. I was there for a total of 8 years. I've seen over 60 brilliant children's theater shows. I've had dozens of amazing teachers, including Candy Sherwin and Ed Archer. My elective classes included juggling, mime, story theater, musical theater and many, many years of back-cracking dance production. Professor Jerry Abbitt, technical wizard, gave me a such an amazing education about all things backstage, I should have paid twice the amount to TADW. I owe my teenage happiness to the great Dr. William Schlosser, co-founder of the Workshop and the magnificent Professor Maryellen Clemons who succeeded him.

My memories of TADW go like this: I need to find an audition piece. I'm a nervous wreck. Auditions. Call-back board. Great happiness and great sadness. Cast lists go up. Greater happiness and even greater sadness. First day of classes. Old friends reuniting. New students feeling left out for maybe a day (if that) until they become new friends. Back on Your Elbows. Breaks spent in the Green Room. Horace the Ghost in the basement. The 39 Cent Hamburger Stand (where Der Weinershnitzel is.) Invitational and going to Farrell's Ice Cream (which closed and became Fuddruckers – Farrell's was better). Break rehearsals. Dance Finals. Munch and Crunch. Everyone cries. See you next year.
Q: What advice would you give a current TADW student?

A: If you love theater, go for it! Put your entire heart, mind and soul into it. Don't let anyone tell you it is a waste of time. Skeptics of the profession are often the same people who love a good show.

More importantly, DO NOT let lack of ability keep you from trying. In my first year at TADW, I was cast in a show and had one line. I was not cast again until 4 years later when I landed a fantastic, funny and memorable part in a great show - "Rags to Riches" directed by a genius, John Dantona.

I was a horrible singer and dancer when I had begun my training. It wasn't until I reached my early 20s (post TADW) when I found my natural ability. Believe in yourself. Be patient with yourself. Go out of your way to promote those same attitudes toward your friends.   

Q: What are you up to now? Professionally, personally? Fill us in.  

A: Recently, I got engaged to Jackie Shaffer (who is the cousin of one of my best friends from TADW). I moved to Sacramento to be with her. I am still a SAG and Equity actor, however, my focus has shifted toward writing and production. I work with a video production company just north of Sacramento. In a couple of weeks I will go on the road be Production Manager for a reality show in L.A.

As far as acting, I will be in a film short later this summer as well as a feature film set to shoot in the Fall. Meanwhile, I am editing a script for a producer up here and I run a small online business – www.tstreetwarehouse.com.   

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?  

A: There was a time when the future of TADW was unstable. I would love to thank Doug Kaback, Brent Rosen and anyone else involved for keeping TADW alive.

Below, James shares some of his favorite TADW photos, along with a few present-day shots. From top to bottom: In the TADW dressing room, 1987; Group 5 with Candy Sherwin, 1986; James with Julie Goldman; Group 5 with Plant, 1986; Recent photo of James in a lighter moment; James on his engagement day with fiancee Jackie Shaffer.

Updated News on Sold Out Performances

2010-07-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

As of July 22, the following performances are SOLD OUT!

Alice in Wonderland - Saturday July 24 - 11 a.m.
Alice In Wonderland - Wednesday, July 28 - 11 a.m.
Alice in Wonderland - Friday, July 30 - 11 a.m.
Seussical the Musical - Friday, July 30 - 11 a.m.
Alice in Wonderland - Wednesday, Aug. 4 - 11 a.m.
Seussical the Musical - Wednesday, Aug. 4 - 11 a.m.

Plenty of tickets remain for our other performances. For information, visit THIS LINK.

"Alice" Display Case Features Local Students' Artwork

2010-07-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of opening night, the display case for "Alice in Wonderland" is up outside the Little Theatre in CSUN's Nordhoff Hall. With photos of the cast and show, the display case also features some special artwork from local students.

In her duties as a Professor in the Department of Special Education, TADW's administrator Beth Lasky recently visited the classroom of Tina Goodman at Summit View School, a school for students with learning disabilities.

"I noticed a table with projects on it and I realized they were all related to 'Alice in Wonderland,'" Lasky said.

Goodman's high school students had all read the Lewis Carroll book and had created dioramas to depict scenes from the story.

Lasky was so impressed with the students' work that she asked to borrow several of them for TADW's display case. The artwork will be displayed throughout the run of "Alice in Wonderland."

Lasky has also extended an invitation to the students and their teacher to come see the show!

Memory Lane: The First TADW - Summer 1957

2010-07-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

Click the picture to get a good look at this archive photo from CSUN's Department of Theatre from the very first TADW in the summer of 1957. Special thanks to Theatre Manager Bill Taylor for this one!

Dominguez Brings Colorful, 3D Feel to TADW's ‘Alice in Wonderland’

2010-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

With opening night of “Alice in Wonderland” just a few days away, director Corky Dominguez is busy putting the final touches on the colorful, custom-made masks that are featured in the show.

“We’ve all seen Alice many times, so I wanted to look at a more creative way to tell the story,” Dominguez said. “So I decided to utilize mask work, similar to the commedia dell'arte style.”

In addition to the beautiful masks, audience members can expect a few other surprises in Dominguez’s “Alice, ” from the “pop-up book” look of the set, to the gorgeous costumes. “With all the emphasis on 3D in movies like ‘Avatar,’ I was going for color and texture, so we’ve done that with the lights and sets and costumes,” he said.

Dominguez also incorporates a ‘Mardi Gras-Samba’ element that provides scene transitions. “Alice gets swept up in a parade as she transitions from scene to scene,” Dominguez said. “It is very fun.”

TADW's retelling of the story finds Alice as a modern-day schoolgirl. “She even wears ‘Harajuku-style’ fashion and has a BFF,” he adds.

A CSUN theatre graduate, Dominguez is a returning TADW staff member. He taught and directed various productions for the workshop in the 1980s, when he was a student in the theatre department. More recently in 2008, he directed “Disney's High School Musical” for TADW.

He says the Workshop provides students with excellent professional support, from the costumes and sets to the lighting and sound. “But the number one thing is that the kids get 10 performances,” he said. “For these kids to get the opportunity for a run, I don’t know any other program where they get that. Plus, they get all the educational training with the morning classes.”

In addition to working with TADW, Dominguez teaches part-time during the school year at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he teaches a class in cultural social theatre studies. “We look at writers of color,” he said, adding that the class helps prepare students for a “wider view of theatre.”

Dominguez also serves on the board of the California Educational Theatre Association, as co-chair of cultural diversity. The organization hosts two theatre festivals and a conference for educators, in addition to working on keeping the arts in schools.

"I am the perfect example of how important the arts are," Dominguez said, citing growing up in East Los Angeles. As a young boy, he was involved in choir, band and talent shows, eventually taking part in school plays. "I never stopped," he said. "Even now, I'm still working with high school students."

So how can TADW students and parents help support the arts in their schools and communities? “Go see theatre,” Dominguez said. “Everywhere. Whether it is at a school, a community theatre or an amateur show – every time you see a play you are supporting the arts.”

To further support the arts, he also encouraged students and parents to look for volunteer opportunities with local theatre groups – even including TADW.

"Alice in Wonderland" opens Friday, July 23 in the Little Theatre in Nordhoff Hall on the Campus of California State Univeristy, Northridge. For ticket information, visit this link.

(Pictured: Director Corky Dominguez puts the finishing touches on masks for "Alice in Wonderland"; the cast of "Alice" during a recent technical-dress rehearsal.)

Info for Parents: 'Alice' Rehearsals

2010-07-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest regarding "Alice" rehearsals:

On Thursday, July 22: Rehearsal will go from 1:15pm to about 3:30pm. The cast will not have time to leave the building. Students should bring a big healthy snack to keep them going. They will have 30 minutes to eat. They have to be at the theater at 4pm (call time) to get into costumes for the 6pm Invitational. Most likely the show will be done by 7pm. This means they can be at Sizzler by 7:30 to eat dinner!!

On Friday, July 23: The cast will rehearse until 4pm. They can leave the building to go eat or they can stay at TADW. Call time is 5pm for the 7pm Opening Show!!

Costuming "Alice"

2010-07-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

With opening night approaching on Friday, July 23, the cast of "Alice in Wonderland" began working in costume today. Pictured: Costumes for "Alice in Wonderland;" head costumer Anne Wilson instructing the cast on proper costume care and handling.

Sperling's "A Faery Hunt" Comes to the Workshop

2010-07-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Teenage Drama Workshop's own Ronnie Sperling and Chris Halsted gave their students a glimpse into their professional lives today, when the duo presented a portion of their live show, "A Faery Hunt," which is the longest-running kids' show in Los Angeles.*

In each acting class today, the students got a visit from Noll the Troll (Sperling) and Isfandiar, the Simurg (Halsted). Fans of Sperling and Halsted noticed many of their favorite comedy elements in the performance - from the vaudeville-style jokes, to the commedia dell'arte masks.

After the performance, Sperling shared with the students that "A Faery Hunt" is now in development to be a TV show.

"You are among the first ones to hear this," Sperling said. "We have a development deal for 12 episodes."

For Sperling, this most recent success is anything but overnight. A working actor "forever," Sperling's professional career has included stints in the national tour of "Grease" (as Eugene) and numerous TV commercials and appearances. He even appeared as The Mad Hatter on extra content featured on the Disney "Alice in Wonderland" DVD. And recently, he appeared opposite James Franco on "General Hospital."

After attending CSUN's Theatre Department, Sperling began working as a professional actor, earning his Screen Actors Guild card opposite Jack Lemmon and Walter Mattheau in Billy Wilder's last film "Buddy, Buddy."

"I had a passion for this since I was the age of these kids (at TADW)," Sperling said. "It was the only thing I ever wanted to do and I never deterred from it."

Sensing the challenge in becoming a "star," Sperling said his primary goal was to be a working actor. "I did it," he said. "I found a way to stay working all these years, and managed to feed my family doing what I love."

In addition to teaching at TADW, Sperling also teaches improv to teenagers at the ComedySportz Theatre in Hollywood. And when he's not working in commercials and TV, he's writing for television and doing live comedy and theatre performances, as well as corporate shows.

"Working as an actor can be like a roller-coaster," Sperling said. "When it rains it pours, but it can also be dry. You just have to keep doing something. Stay involved. If that means getting friends together to do a play reading, or renting a theatre to do your own show, you have to do something."

This is Sperling's second go-round at TADW. He also taught in the workshop in the 1980s, where he met his wife Romy, who ran lights on his show. "She was the tech director," he said.

Happy to be back at the workshop after directing the acclaimed production of "Pinocchio" last summer, Sperling said many elements of TADW are the same two decades later. "You still have kids and we're still doing shows," he said, "but what Doug Kaback has done with this program is really special. The idea that we do these two really wonderful productions is really great."

About his upcoming production of "Seussical," Sperling said he is excited to present it in a new way -- with a heavy dose of Seuss. "There are lots of Seuss things throughout and this amazing puppet element," he added.

Seussical, directed by Sperling, opens July 28 in the Campus Theatre at CSUN. For tickets, visit www.csun.edu/tadw.

*"A Faery Hunt," the longest-running kids show in LA, won the Nickelodeon Parents' Picks award last year. The show is nominated again in 2010! Support Ronnie and Chris with your vote: http://www....parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/los-angeles-ca-usa/best-los-angeles-theatre-group-for-kids

Broadway Show T-Shirt Day at TADW

2010-07-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the fun Broadway show T-shirts we spotted in the halls this morning at the Teenage Drama Workshop! Looks like "In the Heights" (which just happens to be at the Pantages Theatre right now) is the most popular show represented this year.

Today's Lesson: Stage Combat

2010-07-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

After several lessons on stage combat and fight choreography, acting instructor Christopher Halsted brought in weapons, armor and even a trusty "steed" today to give Teenage Drama Workshop students the chance to try out their new skills. Students in all three levels got the hand-on experience during their acting class.

Working in duos and small groups, students had the chance to choreograph and act in fight scenes -- from a desert duel fought with sabres, a cloak and the aforementioned steed, to a battle on the Scottish highlands in full armor.

Pictured at top, TADW student Joey Veliz (in full armor) gets into the action with Kaitlyn Wolf, while Halsted provides instruction. Pictured below, Halsted directs TADW students Devon Yaffe and Tiffany Conway in their desert fight scene. Check out the full album on TADW's Flickr page here.

TADW in The San Fernando Valley Sun Today

2010-07-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the San Fernando Valley Sun today for great story about the Teenage Drama Workshop. Link to the story here.

TADW Parents Host "Thank You" Tea for Nordhoff Hall Staff, Administrators

2010-07-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Parents from the Teenage Drama Workshop hosted an afternoon tea today to thank the hard-working staff and administrators of Nordhoff Hall for their support of our program. Special guests from the Theatre Department, the Dean's Office and the Advisement Offices enjoyed delicious homemade treats set out on an "Alice in Wonderland"-themed table and a "Seussical"-themed table. Students displayed a signed poster thanking everyone in Nordhoff Hall for their continued support of the TADW program.

Parent Newsletter #3: July 14, 2010

2010-07-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings TADW parents: Here is the text of today's TADW parent newsletter, which was distributed by email. Your child will receive a hard copy to bring home today.

TADW PARENT NEWSLETTER #3 – JULY 14, 2010

Communication - Please let us know how things are going. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Beth at (818)677-2725 or email her at beth.lasky@csun.edu.

Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee - Our next meeting will be this Friday, July 16, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in room 103. We hope you can attend.

Missing Classes and Rehearsals - Too many students have missed classes or rehearsals due to various appointments. Please do not schedule ANY appointments until after the TADW program is finished.

Help in Costume Shop - If anyone has free time to help out in the costume shop, please let us know. Assistance is greatly needed and appreciated.

Performances and Tech Rehearsals – Shows are nearly ready and everything is coming together beautifully Make sure you are clear about the times your child needs to be here. When we have 11am shows, we still have classes starting at 8:15am on the weekdays.

Invitational - The Invitational or Preview show for Alice will be Thursday, July 22 at 6PM. This is a change from the original schedule. This show is only for current and past TADW participants. Be sure to ask your child about the non TADW sponsored

"After Invitational Get Together". We would tell you about it, but since it isn't sponsored by TADW, we aren't suppose to know that it is held at Sizzler. Parents sit at one side of the restaurant and the TADW participants at the other. It is fun for everyone!

Publicity for TADW - A great way to ensure ticket sales is to promote TADW. Danielle Fairlee writes a wonderful blog for our website. Direct your friends and family to http://tadwbackstage.blogspot.com/ to read about what is happening at TADW. Danielle has also been busy writing pieces for local community newspapers. Thanks Danielle!!

Buying Tickets - The easiest way to purchase tickets is to go to our website at www.csun.edu/tadw. Tickets can also be purchased at the Associated Students Ticket Office at the University Student Union. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm. Tickets may be ordered by calling (818)677-2488. Additionally, tickets may be purchased 2 hours before a performance, at the Ticket Office opposite the Little Theater in Nordhoff Hall. A little tip for you and your friends: By the end of the runs, we very often sell out the house. So, consider seeing the show early in the run!

Picking Up and Dropping Off - Remember, Etiwanda Street is not for loading and unloading of passengers. Please use the parking lot for dropping off and picking up your child. Stopping on Etiwanda ties up traffic and is inconsiderate.

Concessions Stand - Donations for the TADW concessions stand have started. Please consider making a run to Costco or Smart and Final!! We could really use more cans of soda. All items must be pre packaged. Remember, you can bring your items when you drop off your children in the morning. One of our staff will be standing in the parking lot to accept your contributions. If you would prefer to make a cash donation for the purchase of snacks or drinks, that’s fine, too. All proceeds from the concessions go to the Parent Advisory Committee scholarship fund.

Ushers - We still need ushers for some of the daytime shows. A sign-up sheet for ushers is available at the Parent Meetings or you can contact Beth at beth.lasky@csun.edu. All ushers arrive a half-hour before the show begins, take tickets, pass out programs, and work at the concession stand. A TADW staff member will serve as house manager and be able to answer any questions. All ushers see the show for free.

Parking - If you park on campus, you will need to buy a parking permit at all times. Permit parking on campus is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Permit dispenser machines are located in Lot B1 and inside parking structure B3. Daily permits are $6 and are available from 7am-9pm, at the kiosks on Prairie (just off Darby). There are weekly passes that can be purchased for $9 a week. This special pass can only be purchased through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The DPS building is on Darby at Prairie.

Ticket Selling - We need everyone’s help to fill up the theatre. We’re asking everyone to sell 25-50 tickets each. Please help your child by letting friends and family know they can buy tickets from you. We have PLENTY of brochures. Come and take a handful. We particulary need to sell tickets during the first week of each show.

Sponsors – Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to sponsor tickets for under privileged youth groups.

DVDs Order Forms - Don't forget to order the DVD of the shows for this year. Each DVD is $25.00.

Stay healthy! - This is the toughest part of the program. The rehearsals are longer and tougher. Remind your kid(s) to eat well and get enough sleep.

Backstage Glimpses: Improv Class

2010-07-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Students in the Teenage Drama Workshop's Improvisation Elective got a workout today as instructor Ronnie Sperling put them through their creative paces.

Working in pairs, students created short scenes based on suggestions from the class. After running their scenes twice, the students had to think on their feet as Sperling changed things up, asking them to re-do the scene in a different genre.

Students acting as home-repairmen suddenly had to redo their scene as a horror movie and as an MTV reality show. A scene involving a pregnant woman and her husband stuck in an elevator suddenly became a game show, then was redone in the style of "Glee." Another scene involving astronauts battling an asteroid field was redone as a samurai film and then as a Nickelodeon cartoon.

Later, students worked in groups to tell a short story, with each actor adding the next word, one at a time. After that, students played an improv game called, "Clue," in which an actor tries to convey the details of a crime using only gestures, movement and gibberish. Lots of laughter ensued, but the kids came away with real-life acting skills, too.

Sperling encouraged the class to stretch their imaginations--and their vocabularies--in their scene work.

Beginning next week, students in the improvisation class will be cast in plays written by students in the play writing elective. The short plays will be featured in TADW's upcoming "10-Minute Play Festival," which will run Aug. 5 and 6 in the Studio Theatre in Nordhoff Hall.

Talented TADW Staffers: Rebecca Lester

2010-07-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

When she's not whipping up beautiful costumes for the Teenage Drama Workshop, costumer Rebecca Lester enjoys baking unique cupcakes. Today, for the TADW staff meeting, she brought homemade treats that looked just like individual portions of spaghetti and meatballs. Lester says the trick is using piped frosting for the pasta, jelly for the sauce, a Ferraro Rocher chocolate for the meatball and shaved white chocolate for the parmesan cheese. Word from the staff is they were "delizioso"!

TADW on CSUN's Blog

2010-07-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Teenage Drama Workshop is featured on Cal State Northridge's blog today. Link to the story here.

The All-New "Short Company Meeting" Song

2010-07-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Like the working theatre company we are, members of the Teenage Drama Workshop take part in "short company meetings". We kicked today's off with the new "Short Company Meeting" song. Thanks Owen, Daniel, Ian & Matt.

We're in a Time Warp! It's 'Decades Day' at TADW

2010-07-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's Decade's Day at TADW. See our Flickr or Facebook pages for more pix!

How to Get Tickets to TADW Shows

2010-07-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to get your tickets for the Teenage Drama Workshop's 2010 summer plays for youth.

Because our productions are so popular with local camp groups, we already have some weekday matinees that are sold out! So don't delay. Get your tickets today! Here are some helpful hints for your ticket-buying:

If you want tickets for the Teenage Drama Workshop's upcoming productions of "Seussical," "Alice in Wonderland" or the "10-Minute Play Festival," you have several options:

1. Visit the Associated Students Ticket Office on the CSUN campus in person. This allows you to avoid all fees. The ticket office is located near Plaza Del Sol in the University Student Union complex on the Zelzah Ave. side of campus. Due to construction in the area, the closest parking is lot G3. (See campus map for reference.) The ticket office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Note: You can request a free 30-minute parking pass to visit the ticket office from the parking guard gate in lot G4. Or, if you've already purchased a one-day pass in another lot, you can use it on the same day in lot G3 or G4.)

2. Call the AS Ticket Office and place an order by phone. There is a small service charge applied to the entire order and your tickets will be mailed to you. The phone number is (818) 677-2488.

3. Order online via Ticketmaster. This may be convenient for out-of-town guests, however a service charge is applied to each ticket.

4. Use the onsite ticket booth in Nordhoff Hall. The AS Ticket Office will operate a satellite ticket office in Nordhoff Hall once our shows are up-and-running. The box office will open two hours before each show and you can purchase tickets for same-day performances or in advance for other TADW performances.

5. Take advantage of our group rate. If you are organizing lots of friends and family to see our shows, take advantage of our group rate of $7 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. All tickets for a particular performance must be purchased together to get this special rate.

TADW Playwrights Hard at Work

2010-07-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

Students in the Teenage Drama Workshop's playwriting elective are putting the finishing touches on their short plays in advance of meeting with their directors for the first time later this week. The student-written plays will be featured in TADW's upcoming "10-Minute Play Festival."

Once scripts are finalized, the short plays will be cast with students from TADW's improvisation elective, explained playwriting teacher Doug Kaback.

The 10-Minute Play Festival runs two nights only, Aug. 5 and 6, in the Studio Theatre in Nordhoff Hall. Annually, this program always sells out, so buy tickets early. (Note: Some themes may not be suitable for very young children. Parental guidance is suggested.)

Backstage Glimpses: Dance Class

2010-07-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Students in the Teenage Drama Workshop take voice class with Lindsey Lorenz. Class begins with warm-ups, stretching and isolations, followed by ballet and other dance technique and choreography.

Backstage Glimpses: Voice Class

2010-07-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

Students in the Teenage Drama Workshop take voice class with Diane Ketchie. Class begins with warm-ups and vocal exercises, followed by work on group and solo pieces.

Early Dismissal July 28

2010-07-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

Dear TADW Parents:

There will be no afternoon rehearsals called on Wednesday, July 28. There will be an 11am Seussical final preview and an 11am Alice performance. Seussical will have its opening night performance later that evening at 7pm.

We would like to give the students a chance to rest as we begin our very strenuous performance schedule throughout the final two weeks of TADW.

The Alice cast will be excused after their 11am show, and Seussical will have a break between their 11am preview and 7pm opening. If you are not able to pick up your child(ren) there will be supervision in between the shows.

Please let us know if you have any questions, feel free to call Doug at 818-677-5811 or Brent at 818-571-4007.

Thank You,

Brent Rosen, Managing Director

Parent Newsletter #2: July 7, 2010

2010-07-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings TADW Parents. Here is the text of the second parent newsletter that went home on July 7 with your child(ren). You may also have received this by email. (If you didn't, please contact Beth Lasky (info below) with your updated email address.)

NEWSLETTER #2 – JULY 7,2010

Communication - Please let us know how things are going. If you havequestions or concerns, please contact Beth at (818)677-2725 (day) (818)883-7314evenings or email her at beth.lasky@csun.edu. Ask your child if any importantTADW information was given out for parents.

Parent/Guardian Advisory Committee - We held our first meeting last week,that was very well attended. Thank you to the 20 parents and guardians who wereable to attend. Our next meeting will be Friday, July 9th from 3:00 to 4:00 PMin conference room.

Pick-Up - During these first few weeks TADW dismissal time is 4:15. Most of the TADW staff are gone by4:30-5:00pm. After shows beginrehearsal schedules, we must be out of the building by 6pm. Please pick up your children as closeto the dismissal time as possible. TADW is not responsible for their well being after hours. If there is a problem, please let Bethknow.

Guests - Occasionally, a guest will accompany a student to TADW. This MUST be cleared with either Dougor Brent beforehand! Guests willbe asked to leave if there is no previous notice or if the guest is disruptive.

Buying Tickets - Tickets for all performances may be purchased at theAssociated Students Ticket Office at the University Student Union or by goingto the TADW website at www.csun.edu/tadw. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm. Tickets may also be ordered by calling(818)677-2488. Additionally,tickets may be purchased 2 hours before a performance, at the Ticket Officeopposite the Little Theater in Nordhoff Hall.

Ticket Selling - We need everyone’s help to fill up the theatre. We’re askingeveryone to sell 25-50 tickets each. Please help your child by letting friendsand family know they can buy tickets from you. We have PLENTY of brochures andposters. Come and take a handful. The following matinee performances have already SOLD OUT: 7/28 – Alice; 7/30Alice; and 8/4 - Alice and Seussical.

Photo Calls: - Please be aware that photos of the cast and crew of eachshow will be taken after the first Saturday performances,. This means that people will not bereleased until about 1-1:30 after the following performances: Alice- Saturday, 7/24 and Seussical-Saturday 7/31.

Concessions Stand - Families may donate canned sodas/bottled water/juice boxes(or other re-sellable drinks) and/or candy bars/cookies/chips/etc… for the TADWconcessions stand. All itemsshould be pre-packaged. Bring your items when you drop off your children in themorning. TADW staff will be in the parking lot to accept your contributions. Iffamilies would prefer to make a cash donation for the purchase of snacks ordrinks, that’s fine, too. All proceeds from the stand go to the Parent AdvisoryCommittee scholarship fund.

Ushers - We still need ushers for some of the shows. A sign-up sheet for ushers is available at the ParentMeetings or you can email Beth at beth.lasky@csun.edu. All ushers arrive a half hour beforethe show begins, take tickets, pass out programs, and work at the concessionstand after the show. A TADW staffmember will serve as house manager and be able to answer any questions. All ushers see the show for free.

Parking - If you park on campus, you will need to buy a parking permit at alltimes. Permit parking on campus is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days aweek. Permit dispenser machinesare located in Lot B1 and inside parking structure B3. Daily permits are $6 and are availablefrom 7am-9pm, at the kiosks on Prairie (just off Darby). There are weekly passes that can bepurchased for $10 a week. Thisspecial pass can only be purchased through the Department of Public Safety(DPS) office. The DPS building is onDarby at Prairie.

Sponsors – Can your family sponsor an organization for under-privilegedyouth by buying tickets for them to see our shows? Please contact Doug Kaback if you would like to make adonation or to sponsor a group of your choice this summer. We’ve invited 120 kids from Stone SoupChildcare in Norwalk and 50 kids from They’re all thrilled! Thank you!!

Carpool List - A list of all TADW members is available and has beendistributed. If your son ordaughter did not give it to you, please ask for it!

DVDs Order Forms - Don't forget to order the DVD of the shows for thisyear. DVDs will be available forSeussical, Alice, 10 Minute Play Festival and Munch and Crunch. Each DVD is $25.00.

Schedules - Rehearsal schedules for each show have beendistributed. If you did not receiveone, contact Beth. Please notethat both Seussical, and Alice have Preview Shows the evening before theiropenings. These shows are only forcurrent and past TADW participants. More will be included in next week's Newsletter about the Invitational(Previews).

Meet a Member: Brittany Williams

2010-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

New to the Teenage Drama Workshop this summer is 18-year-old Brittany Williams. The Canyon Country resident, who recently graduated from Golden Valley High School, will play the "Sour Kangaroo" in TADW's upcoming production of "Seussical". Active in theatre, Williams recently played "Ronette" in her high school's production of "Little Shop of Horrors." Now at TADW, she is looking forward to seeing "Seussical" come to life. "I love watching a show come together," she said, adding that she is enjoying her first summer in the workshop. "I love the program so far. It's been an amazing first week and I know it is going to get even better." Williams plans to attend College of the Canyons in the fall.

Today's Lesson: Rigging and Fly-Rails

2010-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

In preparation for "Seussical", students in the Teenage Drama Workshop's design-tech program got a hands-on lesson in safely rigging set pieces and proper use of the fly-rail system when teacher Caroline Law had them rig up a giant set piece that will fly-in during the show.

Once the rigging got the all-clear from CSUN staff, TADW students and staff worked together to lift it into position where it will be painted for the show.

"Not a lot of students this age get to work on rigging," Law said. "This was a really great experience for our kids today."

(Pictured, TADW students and staff await instructions high above the Campus Theatre; students get instructions from design-tech teacher Caroline Law and CSUN staff on proper use of the rigging and fly-rail systems; Law and design-tech student Kyle Steven prepare to use the fly-rail to lift the huge set piece; students help lift the piece off the saw horses and into position.)

Professional Puppeteer Brings Her Magic to 'Seussical'

2010-07-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Professional puppeteer Renee Vlashi, whose work has appeared at the famous Bob Baker Marionette Theatre and on the Jim Henson/ABC-TV show "Dinosaurs," is bringing her special skills to the Teenage Drama Workshop. Vlashi is creating 15 paper-mâché-and-foam fish puppets and two other puppets for TADW's upcoming production of "Seussical."

Renee offered her puppeteering skills to TADW at the spring "Meet and Greet," when director Ronnie Sperling mentioned that "Seussical" would be using puppets. Vlashi's daughter, Jeta, 12, is a first-time student in the workshop this summer. "I've been a puppeteer for 40 years," Vlashi said.

"What Renee is creating is remarkable," said executive director of TADW Doug Kaback. Students in TADW's design-tech program are also assisting Vlashi with painting the puppets and putting on the "finishing touches."

(Pictured, professional puppeteer Renee Vlashi working on her creations for the upcoming production of Seussical; some of Vlashi's puppets drying in the scene shop; Vlashi with "Seussical" director Ronnie Sperling and a few of the puppets.)

Ticket Gifting: Donations Requested to Help Bring Theatre to At-Risk Kids

2010-07-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

For many at-risk children, attending a Teenage Drama Workshop show represents their first experience with live theatre. Each year, generous donors provide money for tickets that are "gifted" to local nonprofits so that children who might never see a play or a musical, can come to a TADW performance. This year, ticket-gifting will help bring hundreds of children from worthy nonprofits to performances of "Seussical" and "Alice in Wonderland". Additional donations will enable residents of local senior centers to attend our shows. But more funding is needed immediately for this important TADW outreach program. No donation is too small. If you would like to help fund our ticket-gifting program, please email Doug Kaback at doug.kaback@csun.edu. or call (818) 677-5811.

What a Bunch of Characters!

2010-07-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

It was "TV Character Dress Up Day" today at TADW. Check out more pics on our official Facebook Page or get high-res versions on our Flickr stream.

Media Advisories: PDF Download links

2010-07-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

To download the media advisories for our 2010 shows, visit these links:
Seussical Media Advisory
Alice in Wonderland Media Advisory