FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Tammy Cunningham
July 27, 2017
EnrichKC: Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble Program Culminates with Two Performances of an Original Production Fully Created by Students
Kansas City, MO– As a part of their expanding education outreach, KCRep launched its first Youth Summer Theatre Ensemble program this summer which falls under the umbrella of the EnrichKC programming with KC Metro schools and community-based organizations.
EnrichKC: Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble, or SYTE, is a four-week program open to young artists ages 13-18 in the Kansas City area from July 5th-July 29th at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC Campus. Best of all, thanks to the support of generous donors, the program is completely free for every student.
In preparation for the program, several workshops were executed in area schools. KCRep teaching artists guide students through an interactive four-week rehearsal process packed full of games, ensemble-building activities, playwriting exercises, and more. From this process, they worked together to write and produce their own original theatre piece that will be performed on the Spencer stage in the Olson Performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus on Friday July 28th at 7:00pm and Saturday July 29that 3:00pm.
According to Melinda McCrary, the Director of Education at KCRep, “The Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble will be an opportunity for students to examine their role as artists and storytellers in our community. We will connect youth from all over KC in a way that is exceedingly fun, provokes thought and expression and enhances their sense of themselves and their place in the world through the stories they have to share.”
Featuring 36 cast members from 25 local schools, the student’s play,To Be Human explores a hero's journey from theorigin story, through life's challenges, and onto the discovery that to be a superhero is to be a super human.
“No previous theatre experience is required to participate, reinforces Assistant Director of Education Lydia Fuqua, “the Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble is a space for students to express, learn, grow, take risks, think about the world around them, and make new connections. It is a place where they can totally be themselves!”
Seating for the two performances of To Be Human is General Admission, but patrons can reserve their seats by visiting
Social and Digital Media
Receive daily updates by ‘Liking’ KCRep’s Facebook page at follow KC Rep on Twitter at @KCRepor on YouTube by visiting
###
Please direct all media inquiries to Tammy Cunningham .
For tickets or information, please visit our website at or call: 816.235.2700
The 2017-2018 KCRep Season Includes:
BETWEEN THE LINES: World Premiere Musical
Sep 8-Oct 1, 2017 - Spencer Theatre
Music and Lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
Based on the book by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
FENCES
Oct 13-Nov 12, 2017 - Copaken Stage
By August Wilson
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
Special Event: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Nov 17-Dec 24, 2017 - Spencer Theatre
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage and directed by Eric Rosen
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG INTHE NIGHT-TIME
Jan 26-Feb18, 2018 - Spencer Theatre
BySimon Stephens
Adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon
Directed by Marissa Wolf
SEX WITH STRANGERS
March 2-March 25, 2018 - Copaken Stage
By Laura Eason
Directed by Chip Miller
SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
March 23-April 15, 2018 - Spencer Theatre
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book byHugh Wheeler
Directed by Eric Rosen
OriginKC: New Works Festival
April 27-May 27, 2018- Copaken Stage
Umbrella dates for the New Works Festival are April 27-May 27, 2018. More information on the schedule will follow at a later date and will include new play readings, discussion panels and more in addition to the two feature productions:BROTHER TOAD by Nathan Louis Jackson and WELCOME TO FEAR CITYby Kara Lee Corthron.