Today's Lesson: Rigging and Fly-Rails

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'

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

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!

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

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

Updated "Seussical" Cast List

SEUSSICAL CAST LIST ***REVISED JULY 2, 2010***

THE CAT – Daniel Stewart
HORTON – Ian Fairlee
GERTRUDE – Sarah Martellaro
MAYZIE – Lindsay Kazan
MR. MAYOR – Aaron Jacob
MRS. MAYOR – Milli Miereanu
JOJO – Colin Mika
SOUR KANGAROO – Brittany Williams
WICKERSHAMS – Yael Karoly, Lily Lester, Devon Yaffe
BIRD GIRLS – Tiffany Conway, Lily Khalighi, Lindsay Robb
THE GRINCH – Josh Knoller

ENSEMBLE
Rocio Alvarenga
Zach Birch
Sadie Calvano
Nicole Church
Allegra Edelnant
Mara Eisner
Camden Garcia
Daniela Grinblatt
Samantha Hartmann
Olivia Hsia
Paige Jensen
Kaitlyn Katalbas
Sarah Lasky
Kyla Lockette
Camille Martellaro
Collette Navasartian
Haley Perkins
Annie Reznik
Kaitlyn Rickaby
Evan Sanford
Raleigh Stamper
Kathy Steele
Analisa Venolia
Gracie Wall
Kate Westrum

Updated "Alice In Wonderland" - Cast of Characters

***UPDATED JULY 2, 2010***

Alice in Wonderland
Cast of Characters

Alice...Kayla Alperson
Alice's BFF/Knave of Hearts...Emily Rappaport
White Rabbit...Joey Veliz
Caterpillar...Bobby Lebeda
Caterpillar Crew...Nicholas Hsia, Joseph Andrade, Arthur Parian
Pigeon...Luke Dorsey
Duchess...Haylee-Rae Averill
Baby/Pig...Jeff Wright
Cheshire Cat 1...Kaitlyn Wolf
Cheshire Cat 2...Amanda Voyce
Cheshire Cat 3...Annette Walter
Mad Hatter...Matt Fairlee
March Hare...John Haukoos
Dormouse...Camille Roberts
Table Legs...Lauren Greenberg, Dillon Dorsey, Carolina Barbalace, Laura McDermott
King of Hearts...William Barnett
Queen of Hearts...Jessica Wingenbach
Footman 1...Dillon Dorsey
Footman 2...Charlotte Andersen
Lackey...Maya Nathanson
The Cook...Cambria Denim
Door 1...Lauren Greenberg
Door 2...Elizabeth Lloyd
Door 3...Morgan Skeries
Door 4...Vana Bashian
Low Door...Jeff Wright
The Bottle...Lily Waco
The Key...Jeta Vlashi
The Cake...Sophia Perusset
Stove People...Emily Rappaport, Luke Dorsey, Lauren Greenberg, Lily Waco
Card Two...Joseph Andrade
Card Five...Nicholas Hsia
Card Seven...Arthur Parian
Rose Tree...Jeta Valshi
Other Cards...Sophia Perusset, Luke Dorsey, Jeff Wright
Flamingos...Lily Waco, Vana Bashian, Charlotte Andersen
Hedgehogs...Lauren Greenberg, Morgan Skeries, Elizabeth Lloyd
Jury Member 1...Laura McDermott
Jury Member 2...Carolina Barbalace
Other Jury Members...Bobby Lebeda, Haylee-Rae Averill, Jeta Vlashi

Alice In Wonderland, Unmasked

Cast members from the upcoming TADW production of "Alice In Wonderland" spent part of Thursday, July 1st making masks for their characters. Director Corky Dominguez created concept drawings for each character and the students paired up to create plaster molds that will be the basis for each mask. 

Broadway veteran Diane Ketchie joins TADW Staff

The 53rd Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) is thrilled to announce that Diane Ketchie is be part of the staff this summer, teaching voice and singing in the workshop. A member of CSUN's music department faculty (voice and keyboard), Ketchie made her Broadway debut in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and also starred in the San Francisco production of Phantom as Carlotta, the opera diva. A sought-after performer, she is a featured artist in Community Concert Series all across the country and has appeared in performing arts centers in over forty states in the past three years. For more information about Diane, click here.

Parent Newsletter #1: July 1, 2010

Greetings TADW Parents.  Here is the text of the first parent newsletter that went home today 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.)  Your child(ren) also received a copy of a carpool list.

NEWSLETTER #1 – July 1, 2010 

WE’RE OFF TO A GREAT START!  Rehearsals and classes have begun and everyone is really excited.  Thanks to all the students, families and staff of TADW. 

Communication -  Messages to parents are put on the TADW website (www.csun.edu/tadw) and sent home.  Please ask your child, daily, if anything was distributed to take home.  In addition, feel free to contact Beth Lasky at beth.lasky@csun.edu or (818)677-2725 (campus) or (818)883-7314 (evenings), or Doug Kaback at doug.kaback@csun.edu or (818)677-5811 (campus) or Brent Rosen at brentrosen79@gmail.com or (818)571-4007 (campus).   

Dance Shoes -  Everyone needs jazz or ballet shoes for dance.  You can buy them at Apparel Warehouse at 6010 Yolanda in Tarzana or Capezio Dance Shop at 7120 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Canoga Park. 

Drop-Off and Parking -  When dropping off or picking up your child, we suggest you enter lot B1 from Darby, drop your child off and then either exit at Etiwanda or Darby.  Parking is available in Lots B1, B2, B3 surface lots and the B3 parking structure between Darby and Etiwanda just north of Nordhoff.  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) and on Lindley (just off Nordhoff).   

Parent/Guardian Committee Meeting -  Friday, July 2, 2010 from 2:30-4:00pm in the Theater Conference Room 104 or another room which will be posted.  Each summer this committee helps organize several aspects of TADW like 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!

NO CLASSES OR REHEARSALS -  Monday, July 5, 20010

Concessions Stand -  We will be collecting your contributions to the TADW concessions stand beginning Tuesday, July 6 – 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.

Ushers -  A sign-up sheet for ushers will be available at the Parent Meeting starting July 2nd.  All ushers see the show for free if there is room in the theater. 

Ticket Selling -  A number of the weekday matinees are sold out to camp programs, however there a still plenty of tickets for weeknight and weekend performances.  We need everyone’s help to fill up the theatre.  We’re asking everyone to sell 25-50 tickets each.  Please help by letting friends and families know they can buy tickets. Tickets may be ordered online by going to the TADW website at www.csun.edu/tadw or by calling the TICKET OFFICE 818/677-2488, or at the Associated Students Ticket Office on campus.  We have beautiful brochures that you can give out.  We also have posters that can be displayed in local stores. 

Sponsors -  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.   

Carpool List -  A list of all TADW members is available and has been distributed.  If your son or daughter did not give it to you, please ask for it or email Beth. 

Burroughs Scholarhip Winners Announced

Doug Kaback, executive director of the Teenage Drama Workshop today announced the winners of the 2010 Burroughs Family Scholarship in Memory of Ann Burroughs.  Carolina Barbalace, 16, and Kyle Steven, 18, both of whom are in their first year at TADW, will receive $500 scholarships toward their tuition.

Named for the late Ann Burroughs, who was a long-time administrative analyst in the CSUN Department of Theatre, the scholarship is provided by the Burroughs family.  Ann's son, Don Burroughs, who is a working actor ("Mamma Mia," "The Full Monty"), was a TADW student during his teen years.

"Ann loved the theatre and she recognized the important role TADW played in the lives of young people," Kaback said. "We are so proud to honor her legacy with this annual scholarship." (Pictured, left to right: Kyle Steven, Prof. Doug Kaback, Carolina Barbalace.)

Carolina, who will be a junior at Granada Hills Charter High School in the fall, said she hopes to be an actress when she grows up.  About TADW, she says, "The classes are fun and the students are welcoming."  She is taking the improv elective this summer and will appear in "Alice in Wonderland".

Kyle, a recent graduate of Golden Valley High School, is part of TADW's Design-Tech program this summer. He will attend College of the Canyons in the fall and hopes to teach "all aspects of theatre" some day, as well as history. To supplement his scholarship, Kyle is working to pay his TADW and College of the Canyons tuition by selling knives.  "Kyle is a great communicator and a self starter," Kaback said. "His motivation will help him go far in life.

Techies Hard At Work Backstage

Students in TADW's Design-Tech Program are already hard at work, learning the ropes back stage. Under the direction of Caroline Law, the "techies" are working in the scene shop on sets and props.

Over the next few weeks, they'll also assist with lighting, sound, costumes and other "stagecrafts". 

Now in its 2nd year, TADW's Design-Tech program is growing by leaps and bounds. Up from four students last summer, the program has 16 students this year. And all their hard work will pay off when TADW's productions of "Alice in Wonderland," "Seussical" and the "10-Minute Play Festival" open in a few short weeks.