Kings Youth Theater workshop begins July 9

SUGAR LOAF — The Kings Youth Theater at the Lycian Centre is continuing its training program this summer with its performance workshop. The six-week program begins July 9 and takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pavilion of the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf. Having this program at the Lycian Centre gives the students access to a professional theatre space with state-of-the-art equipment.

The summer program is a performance workshop. Throughout the summer students will be learning and refining the craft of acting while rehearsing a new production. This year the workshop will focus on developing a Living Newspaper. Modeled after the projects of the Federal Theater of the 1930s, students will research news stories that have an impact on society. These stories will then be turned into performance pieces to be included in the complete Newspaper. Students will act as reporters and writers developing newsworthy stories ready for presentation. Some may appear as short plays, others as monologues and others in song or dance. Each story will take a form that best suits the telling of the news.

The summer session ends with a full production of The Living Newspaper on Aug. 17 and 18.

According to the press release announcing the workshop, the objective of the theater program is to provide young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to participate in a theatre experience that will develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork and a greater sense of self and community.

Instructor Paul Ellis has 40 years of experience in the theater business. He studied theater with Lee Strasberg, Peter Brook, Julian Beck and playwriting with Jean Claude Van Ittallie. Ellis has directed more than 80 plays and produced numerous concerts and festivals. He presently directs and produces for the Wharf series at the Lycian Centre. Ellis also writes and directs the Air Pirates Radio Theater now in its fifth season of presenting original radio plays.

Essential information The Youth Theater program begins July 9.

The fee is $400. To register, call 845-469-2287 or visit the box office of the Lycian Centre Tuesday through Saturdays from 10 a..m to 4 p.m.

For information about the program or course content call 469-7563.