Premiere Stages announces ‘Camp Premiere 2023: A Summer of Theatrical Adventures’

Premiere Stages, the professional theater company at Kean University, has announced that Camp Premiere, the annual summer theater program for middle school and high school students, will be held on Kean University’s East Campus.

Premiere Stages will offer two, twoweek sessions this summer.

• Theatremakers, July 10 to 21, for students entering grades six through eight. Students translate their creative ideas into brand new, original material for the stage. Through structured improvisation, storytelling exercises and acting games, campers craft and star in their own, original theatrical presentation for friends and family.

• Actors Studio, July 24 to Aug. 4, for students entering grades nine through 12. Students focus on the craft of acting through physical and vocal warm-ups, improvisation, acting technique and scene study. Working closely with industry pro- fessionals, campers perform scenes from contemporary plays, selected specifically for unique talents and areas for growth. This camp culminates in a performance of the campers’ work for friends and family. ed on the web or you have a story tip, you can email me at jungaro@thelocalsource.com or call me at 908-6867700, 129.

Registration is now open. Premiere Stages is committed to ensuring that all students who are interested in Camp Premiere are afforded the opportunity to participate. An Early Bird discount, a savings of $50, is currently available through Wednesday, March 15. A limited amount of scholarships will be available for families in need of financial support.

Camper Registration and Tuition Payment Portal and Scholarship Applications can be found on Premiere Stages’ website premierestagesatkean. com/camp-premiere/.

Any Camp Premiere inquiries can be emailed to Nick Gandiello, Education and Play Festival manager, at ngandiel@kean.edu.

Best,

Yael Katzwer, an editor at Worrall Community Newspapers, was honored with a second place award from the New Jersey Press Association in the Arts and Entertainment category for her story “Hypnotism and Improv to Meet on UCPAC stage,” which appeared in the Union County LocalSource.

Premiere Stages and Kean Stage present ‘SMALL’

Premiere Stages and Kean Stage copresented “SMALL,” written and performed by actor and dancer Robert Montano and directed by Jessi D. Hill, on Saturday, March 18, at Kean University’s Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Ave., Hillside.

In “SMALL,” Robert Montano shares a wild autobiographical ride in his one-person play about the wears of childhood, family, racism, bulimia and the misunderstood life of being a jockey. Nearly ravaged by addiction in order to stay small, Montano ignites complex and universal themes of struggle and sacrifice to pursue a passionate dream, first to race horses and then to be a professional dancer. A “Rocky” story of the racetrack, “SMALL” is about a boy transforming into a man by following his heart … and his feet.

“After seeing a showcase of the play in New York, I knew ‘SMALL’ would be an excellent fit for our audiences.” said John J. Wooten, the producing artistic director of Premiere Stages. “Robert’s writing and acting are equally effective in bringing this powerful and captivating story to life.”

“SMALL” had its world premiere at Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, N.Y., in March 2022, with Joe Brancato, artistic director, and Andrew M. Horn, executive director.

Hill remounted the play for this presentation. Karen Schleifer was the “SMALL” production manager. The presentation team for “SMALL” also included sound designer Brian Ronan.

Montano was raised in Hempstead, Long Island, close enough to Belmont Park Racetrack where he had his first career as a professional racehorse jockey. But by age 18, Mother Nature caught up to him and he outgrew his silks. Smitten by the film “Saturday Night Fever,” Montano traded his jockey boots for ballet slippers and applied to Adelphi University's dance department at age 20 without any prior training. He was accepted and offered a full scholarship. One week shy of graduating, he booked his first professional job in “Cats.” Montano has worked with Hal Prince, Rob Marshall and Jerome Robbins. He has also had the pleasure of working with the legendary Chita Rivera in “Kiss Of The Spider Woman,” as well as her act, “Chita Plus Two …” He sang and danced with Peter Allen in “Legs Diamond” and starred as