The PAC Youth Theater
This is a presentation of the Highlands PAC Youth Theatre Program. The contents are copyrighted; anyone wishing images or other materials from this presentation are requested to contact us at pacyouth. highlands@gmail.com Megan Greenlee Potts, Artistic Director Founding Artistic Director: Dr. Ronnie Spilton
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THE ARTS
MEGAN MAKES MAGIC HAPPEN BY JENNY KING
Megan Potts is instrumental in bringing glorious life to the stage in Highlands. She’s even more involved in sharing her skills with the children of the Plateau.
T
here are many unsung heroes in our area that make the magic happen. These are people who go unrecognized for what they do to make our lives on The Plateau that much better. Behind the Scenes will introduce you to a few of these folks. The Highlands Performing Arts Center’s Megan E. Greenlee Potts is a magician of the highest order. Her title as PAC Technical Advisor really doesn’t tell you all that she does, but it’s certainly a start. Potts is responsible for building approval of all technical and production aspects, including the set, lighting, sound, props, pyro, projection, etc., for any group that uses the facility. If it happens at the PAC, Megan is the person Executive Director Mary Adair Trumbly turns to. Ms. Trumbly explains, “You know most people have a right hand. Megan is my whole right side!” Megan has a long history in theater. She
graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA degree in Technical Theater, Production, and Design, and then went on to make her living as a professional stage manager for years. Later in life, after her son was born, she acted professionally in TV, film, and on stage. She started at The PAC eight years ago when daughter Katy asked to audition for Dr. Ronnie Spilton’s Youth Theater. It was through that introduction that the Performing Arts Center discovered Megan’s background in theater. “I told my children to never go into theater,” Megan laughs. “You see how well that went.” Katy is currently a sophomore at her mother’s alma mater. Guess what she’s studying? Yep, theater. Megan is also the Artistic Director for the PAC Youth Theater Program. The program has classes throughout the school year
where they teach technical theater, acting, general theater studies, text analysis, and this year: stage combat. They work with area schools and groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, the Highlands Literacy Council, and the International Friendship Center. Their most recent production was the musical, “Free to Be You and Me” at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, where Megan is employed full time. The PAC Youth Theater Program also offers internships in technical theater. Participants will work directly with Megan to learn lighting, sound, and what goes on behind the stage. If your child has any interest at all in theater, let them talk with Megan. She is an enthusiastic mentor. To learn more about the program, please contact the Highlands Performing Arts Center at (828) 526-9047.
Youth Program
Our Mission The PAC Youth Theatre is dedicated to introducing children of the surround area to the wonders of live theater by participating (either onstage, behind the scenes, or in the control booth) in age-appropriate productions at no cost, allowing them to join in free classes presented by professionals in the business, and staging free shows for local school children and homeschoolers.
“Just wanted to tell you that we love what you do with the theater program and love it when you visit the school! Please keep us in mind for visits in the future.” Teri Walawender Principal Blue Ridge School
Why Drama? Theatre Arts benefits both students and society, because students gain powerful tools for: * Understanding human experiences, past and present, * Teamwork and collaboration, * Adapting to and respecting others’ diverse ways of thinking, working and expressing themselves, * Analyzing nonverbal communications, * Improving verbal communications, * Gaining self-esteem and poise, which crosses over into the classroom to support academic success, * Studying a wide variety of literature, history, sociology, art, music and dance.
2009-10 School Year: - Spring 2010
1. Production - “One Act Playfest” 2. Production - “Snow White”
“One Act Play”
“Snow Wh
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2010-11 School Year: “Anne Frank & Me” - Spring 2011 - Production - “Anne Frank & Me”
Director’s Notes
“Anne Frank and Me” (for Grade
In addition to learning about drama, this
students the opportunity to study a pleth of both the 90’s and the 40’s, World War Holocaust.
We have been rehearsing countless hours have worked exceptionally hard. The adde quired additional rehearsals.
My expectations are high: both for the ex challenge.
In such an endeavor, there are numerous pe Gordon, student choreographer Kaycee Ca Valerie Long, Tracy Smith, and Cindy Treva
For me personally, Anne Frank and Me has into a visual experience is a creati been a lifelong vocation.
I believe in the importance of thea entire cast and crew hope that yo Enjoy Anne Frank and Me. Act III and Cast Photos
Ronnie Spilton
A Special Mention to the p Students, Choreographer, S
es 9-12)
year’s play Anne Frank and Me, has afforded hora of related subjects including the decades II, the novel The Diary of Anne Frank, and the
since the beginning of March. Cast and crew ed dances and intricate technical aspects re-
xperienced and new thespians have met the
eople to applaud both on and off stage. Special thanks to student assistant director Elizabeth arver, student sound designer Ivy Trent, parent volunteer coordinator Paula Gordon, parents athan. PAC Executive Director Mary Adair Trumbly has been invaluable.
s been a joy to teach, direct, and stage. The transformation of the printed word ve process that continues to engage and challenge me. Teaching students has
ater as both an art form and an academic discipline. Theater is magical. The
u, the audience, will feel its magic and help us continue the PAC Youth Theater.
positions in this production of Anne Frank & Me that are filled by our program Technical Theater Stage Manager, ASM, Sound Designer, Sound Op, Light Op, Spot Op, and Tech Run Crew
2011-12 School Year: “Flowers For Algernon” - Spring 2012 - Production - “Flowers for Algernon” - Expand program beyond acting to include offering bi-weekly Tech, Design, Production Classes with John Roman, Megan Greenlee Potts, & Steve Hott
Director’s Notes “Flowers for Algernon” (for Grades 7-12)
It is essential that young people have the opportunity Youth Theater, with no theatre arts offered in the are
Over the past five years that I’ve been doing youth th Daniel Keyes’ Flowers for Algernon, the show we ar 1960’s as well as experiencing the process of translati literary piece when I was a classroom teacher!
The play presented today was adapted for the stage b general, making the play more a theatrical experienc countless hours to prepare for this production. The l
The PAC Youth Theater aspires to a high standard, a Hott as our Technical Director and working with lon theater component to the program! Megan has a BFA the “Business” for years, and now lives in Highlands Megan as she is joining our PAC Youth Theatre Adu tion, hands-on, lab style classes twice a week during and hierarchy, chain of command in “The Business”; take constructive criticism; lighting, set design, set c
This year’s show during the play stage managing mentor Steve H
Megan CD
The PAC Youth to list. Cast and The PAC Youth On a personal team for suppor erie Long for he invaluable.
I believe in the hope that you, t Enjoy Flowers f
Ronnie Spilto
Special Mention Choreographer Sound Design,
y to study drama and participate in a theatrical experience. Hence the overwhelming need in the area for the PAC ea schools in years. This deficit creates an educational void.
heater here in Highlands, about 150 students have participated. Grant monies and donations keep the program afloat. re presenting this year, is read in language arts classes throughout the area. Students have enjoyed both studying the ing a literary work from the printed page to the stage. Ironically, I taught this
by David Rogers and further adapted for the PAC Youth Theater by Ronnie Spilton, adding dances, film, and, in ce. Student have been rehearsing for Flowers for Algernon since the beginning of March. Cast and crew have worked lead performers have literally “lived” at PAC.
and, as in past years, these Thespians have met that expectations. In addition, this year, under the direction of Steve ng time theatre professionals John Roman and Megan Greenlee Potts, we have been able to add a formalized technical A from Ithaca College in Theatrical Production Arts, Tech, Design, and Production, has made her living working in s with her daughter Katy, who became involved in the PAC Youth Theater program this year. I would like to welcome ult Tech, Design, and Production Team. This year we were able to offer students 3/hour long, tech, design, & producthe entire rehearsal process where participants have been learning general theater job responsibilities, scheduling, ; what it means to be in a collaborative working relationship & how theater is a collaborative art form; how to give and construction, sound design, set painting (scenic art), and properties.
w also required writing, shooting, and figuring out all the minute details of the technical aspects of presenting a film y each performance. This special effect was created by a student working with lighting; sound design; costumes; & g mentor Megan Greenlee Potts; set design/engineer, paint, props mentor John Roman; and construction and sound Hott.
h Theater is free to all participating students, including tuition, scripts, costumes, props, and other costs too numerous d crew have worked countless hours to prepare for this production. The lead performers have literally “lived” at PAC. h Theater aspires to high standard, and, as in past years, these young people have met that expectation. l notes, I want to express my sincere thanks to every performer, the student technical team, and the adult technical rting my vision of the stage version of Flowers for Algernon. Special thanks to Parent Volunteer Coordinator Valer efforts as well as her counsel. Applause goes to PAC Executive Director Mary Adair Leslie; as always, she has been
importance of theater as both an art form and an academic discipline. Theater is magical. The entire cans and crew the audience, will feel its magic and help us to continue the PAC Youth Theatre. for Algernon.
on
n to this year’s Student Technical Team: r, Dance Costumes, Props Runner, Stage Manager, Videographer, Light Op, Follow Spot Op, Theatre Electrician, Sound Op, Hair/Makeup, Set Construction, Paint Crew, & Poster Art Work
2012-13 School Year: “John Lennon & Me” - Spring 2013 1. Production - Tech, Design, Production Classes offered - “John Lennon & Me” offer bi-weekly Tech, Design, Production Classes with John Roman, Megan Greenlee
Director’s Notes “John Lennon & Me” (for grades 7-12) There are no theater arts classes offered in the Highlands– Cashiers area schools; this deficit creates an educational void. It is essential that young people have the opportunity to study drama and participate in a theatrical experience. Hence, the overwhelming need for a Performing Artc Center (PAC) Youth Theater. Students have been rehearsing John Lennon & Me since the beginning of March. Cast and crew have worked countless hours to prepare for this production. In addition, this year, we continued to offer two to three hour long tech, design, and production hands-on, lab style classes taught twice a week to interested students during the rehearsal process. This year we offered instruction in general theatre studies, lighting, set design, set construction, sound design, set painting (scenic art), props, script writing, and videography. This year’s show also required writing; creating story boards; creating a set, costumes, props; shooting and editing; and figuring out all the inter-related technical aspects and timing of presenting a “dream” film during the play each performance. It is a short, black and white, melodrama style take off of the love story farewell from the film “Gone with the Wind”. This special effect was also created by a PAC tech, design, production students with adult mentors John Roman, Megan Potts, and Steve Hott working along side them. The PAC Youth Theater aspires to high standards, and, in the past, all these young people involved in this production have met that expectation. The PAC Youth Theater is free to all participating students, including tuition, scripts, costumes, props, and other costs too numerous to list. On a personal notes, I want to express my sincere thanks to every performer, the student technical team, and the adult technical team for supporting my vision of the stage version of John Lennon and Me. A special thanks goes out to all the Parent Volunteers; and to Parent Volunteer Coordinator Valerie Long. Applause goes to PAC Executive Director Mary Adair Trumbly; as always, she has been invaluable. I believe in the importance of theater as both an art form and an academic discipline. Theater is magical. The entire cans and crew hope that you, the audience, will feel its magic and help us to continue the PAC Youth Theatre. Enjoy John Lennon & Me. Ronnie Spilton Student Technical Team; Tech, Design, Production “John Lennon” Assistant Director, Dance Captain, Rehearsal Stage Manager, Light Op, Follow Spot Op, Theatre Electrician, Sound Design, Sound Op, Set Construction, Paint Crew, Videography Team
2013 Summer:
Broadway Workshop with Franc D’Ambbrosio & Glory Cramp Franc D’Ambrosio has conducted his highly-acclaimed Master Classes throughout the U.S. and Europe, sharing intimate experiences from his illustrious career entertaining audiences from Broadway to Hollywood and beyond, with music and drama students of all ages. In addition to working one-on-one with each eager participant, Franc shares personal stories and advice for pursuing a career in the theatre, while imparting his own special brand of passion, wisdom and inspiration for students to draw upon. Best-known for his impressive portrayal of the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Franc D’Ambrosio performed as the famed masked man more than 2,100 times. https://www.francdambrosio.com/welcome
pton Glory Crampton is a Broadway Musical Theater Leading Lady who has starred in 50+ Productions (My Fair Lady, Camelot, Nine, Guys And Dolls, Jane Eyre, Amadeus, Private Lives, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Created the role of “Christine Daee” in the World-Premiere of “Phantom”. She has performed and toured in Europe, Asia, South America, England and USA. She received her BFA in Acting from NYU. https://www.linkedin.com/in/glory-crampton-b80a0b13
2013-14 School Year: -Fall 2013 1. Highlands School Elective Theater Classes offered during school day at PAC 2. After school acting games program offered at PAC 3. Highlander article 6/12/14 “PAC & HHS team up for Theatre 101” with Ronnie Spilton & Mary Adair Trumbly - Spring 2014 - Production - Tech, Design, Production Classes offered - “Little Women” offer bi-weekly Tech, Design, Production Classes with Megan Greenlee Potts & Steve
Spring 2014: “Little Women”
Spring 2014: “Little Women” Director’s Notes Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” is our first foray into a classic literary period piece, not originally written for stage. This spring marks another first for the PAC Youth Theater. Highlands High School students had the opportunity to take a Theater I course for transcript credit. Bussed to PAC three mornings a week, they study dramatic literature with English teacher Kelly Pla and me. The PAC Youth Theater is free to all participating students, including tuition, scripts, costumes, props, and other costs too numerous to list. From the beginning to 2014 approximately 180 students have been involved in putting on PAC Youth Theater productions. Students have been rehearsing “Little Women” since the beginning of March. Cast and crew have worked countless hours to prepare for this production. Adjusting to the interior realistic sets, stairs, hoop skirts, and other period pieces have required additional focus. The “March family” have literally “Lived” at PAC. In addition to acting, this year, we continued to offer two to three hour long, tech, design, and production, hands-on, lab style classes taught twice a week to interested students during the rehearsal process. This year we offered instruction in general theatre studies, lighting, set design, set construction, sound design, set painting (scenic art), props, and special effects. This year’s show required a working fireplace. Megan Greenlee Potts researched and built this with multiple colors of gel to get the correct colors available in different parts of a live fire, plastic grocery store bags for sound & movement, several fan units in different places, and 6 different kinds of lighting sources. This special effect has multiple variances available to the director to put in different parts of the show depending on the action. The fire can flame up and get larger when things are thrown into it, come down to a barely smoldering level, and do numerous other things in between as needed during the show. PAC Tech Special Effects Student Apprentice River Trent helped work on this project. The PAC Youth Theater aspires to high standards, and, in the past, these young people have met that expectation. On a personal notes, I want to express my sincere thanks to every performer plus the student and adult technical team for supporting my vision of the stage version of Little Women. A special thanks goes out Tiffany Trent and to all of the parent volunteers. Applause goes to Megan, Steve, and PAC Executive Director Mary Adair Trumbly; they have been invaluable. Kudos to Dean Zuck for his talent as well as patience. Love goes especially to my husband of 34 years, Dr. Curtis Sears, for continuing to support theater and me. I believe in the importance of theater as both an art form and an academic discipline. Theater is magical. The entire cans and crew hope that you, the audience, will feel its magic and help us to continue the PAC Youth Theatre. Enjoy our production of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Ronnie Spilton Special Thanks to our Student Technical Team Rehearsal Stage Manager, Sound Designer, Sound Op, Light Op, Backstage Deck Manager, Props Mistress, Backstage Assistant Costumes, Hair/Makeup, Special Effects
2014-15 School Year: - Spring 2015 1. Production include: performance of “Spot Light On,” two one act plays; “The Game” & “How to Capture and Keep a Husband.” 2. Bi-weekly classes: Tech, Design, Production Classes with John Roman, Megan Greenlee Potts & Steve Hott 3. Performed “The Game” for Kelsey Hutchinson Park - Ronnie Spilton retire PAC Youth Theatre
Spring 2015: “Spotlight On!�
No theater arts classes have been offered in the area schools in over a decade; this deficit creates an educational void. Having the opportunity to study drama and participate in a theatrical experience are essential components of a well-rounded education; therefore, the overwhelming need for a Performing Arts Center (PAC) Youth Theater. Among many benefits, the study of theater arts improves verbal skills and nonverbal communication, increases poise and self-esteem, and enables students as adults to speak and feel confident in addressing groups. In addition, students come to understand teamwork and collaboration. The PAC Youth Theater has no fee for participating students, including tuition, scripts, costumes, props, and other costs too numerous to list. This year the Youth Theatre, as in years past, has continued to challenge students as I strive to expose them to different types of theatrical experiences. Performing on a thrust stage with audience on three sides is new for students. Thrust stage configuration demands alterations in blocking, changes in physical movement and vocal quality to which the students had not been accustomed. So many thought-provoking plays have been performed by the PAC Youth Theater students that I decided a showcase A Game, first presented in the adjudicated One Act Play Festival (Spring 2010), a favorite of both the judges and the audience alike. This revival had different performers and staging. On an interesting notes, I played the part of Baker in 1980 at OnStage Atlanta. On a personal note, I want to express my sincere thanks to every performer plus the student and adult technical team for supporting my vision of Spotlight On...2 One Act Plays. A special thanks to Tiffani Trent for being with me every step of the way on this project. Applause to Megan Greenlee Potts, Steve Hott and Mary Adair Trumbly who have been invaluable. Love goes especially to my husband of 35 years, Dr. Curt Sears, for continuing to support theater and me. I believe in theater as both an art form ad an academic discipline. Theater is magical. The PAC Youth Theater cast and crew hope that you, the audience, will feel its magic and help us continue to the program. Enjoy our production of How to Capture & Keep a Husband and A Game.
Ronnie Spilton Special Thanks to our Student Tech, Design, Production Team Rehearsal Stage Managers, Back Stage Managers, Back Stage Run Crew, Sound Designer, Costumes, Hair/make-up, Light Board Op, Sound Board Op, Head Shot Photography, Lobby Display, Radio Announcement, Newspaper Articles, Show Logo Design for Posters, Programs, and T-Shirts
Summer 2015 School Year: Cats: Master Makeup Class with Jeri Sager
Winter 2016: “Ghosts & Grotesques”
Winter 2016 School Year: “Ghosts & Grotesques”
“A Very Special Thank You to The Village Weaver Sharon Grist for her lessons for the actors on working, carding, and spinning raw wool as well as lending us their beautiful antique spinning wheel, carding combs, and baskets for the show -with arrangement along with The FoxFire Museum in Dillard, GA where they are on display. - FoxFire Museum
2015-16 School Year: Fall 2015 - Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts Beginner General Theatre Studies Intermediate Text Analysis - “Dollhouse” HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Everyman” - “The Audience” - “Hamlet” - “The Beaux Stratagem” - “Jane Eyre” Winter 2016 - Production - “Ghosts & Grotesques” - Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study Spring 2016 - Morning Workshop - Master Class with Paul Taylor II Dance Company - Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Coriolanus” - “As You Like It”
Spring 2016: Master Class with Paul Taylor II Dance Company
Taylor is the last living member of the second generation of American modern dance makers; as a dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, he was invited by George Balanchine as a guest artist with the New York City Ballet. The Paul Taylor American Modern Dance is securing his body of work while recognizing the contributions of his artistic colleagues and has begun the very public process of ensuring that his work, his style, and the dance world that he has known and loved has a sustainable plan for the future. Visit ptamd.org for more information. The company gave two Master Classes, one for the dance students at Western Carolina University and one for local high school dance students. A student performance is held on Friday, March 4, Saturday, March 5.
2016-17 School Year: Fall 2016 1. Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts Beginner General Theatre Studies Acting I Technical Theater, Lighting, Hands On Lab Class HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “One Man, Two Guvnors” - “View from a Bridge” - “Frankenstein” - “Three Penny Opera” - “Deep Blue Sea” - “War Horse” 2. Event - “Barbeque with a Vampire” Murder Mystery Dinner Party in Partnership with the Albert Carlton Community Library at the Cashiers Library Winter 2017 Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Amadeus” - “Saint Joan” - “Hedda Gabler” Spring 2017 1. Production - “The Frog Prince” - Visual Art Component - Art Contest for all area students - in partnership with The Bascomb 2. Classes Offered - taught by Megan Potts HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Twelfth Night” - “Rosencrantz and Guildensteirn are Dead” Summer 2017 Event 1. “The Watersdown Affair” Murder Mystery Dinner Party in Partnership with the Albert Carlton Community Library at the Cashiers Library 2. HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Peter Pan”
Winter 2017: Tech Interns and Set Design
Set design is an important pa production, as almost every sort of set, however minimal. anything in between, and the interesting concepts, new tech function of a set, of course, is for the play, but it can also be draw in the audience.
Stud
art of almost any theatre show will utilize some . Sets can be abstract, highly realistic, or ey are a chance for a designer to showcase hniques, and unusual materials. The primary s to provide the audience with some context e a chance to create something stunning to
dent Technical Theater Handbook - Harvard
Spring 2017:
Youth Theater The Frog Prince
By David Mamet Directed by Megan Potts
Kathryn Potts
Friday, Saturday & Sunday April 28, 29 & 30, 2017 Evenings: 7:30pm Sunday Matinnee: 2:30pm Sponsored in part by the Cullasaja Women’s Outreach Produced with permmission from Samuel French Inc.
Spring 2017: Frog Prince - Rehearsal
Spring 2017: Frog Prince - Visual Arts Contest
Spring 2017: Frog Prince
The A
Actors 2015-2019
2017-18 School Year: Fall 2017 1. Event - Field Trip to the Peace Center to see the Broadway Tour of “The Play That Went Wrong” 2. Class Offered -HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Salome” - “Yerma” - “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ” - “Young Marx” Winter 2018 1. Workshop - Day Long, Beginner Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat with Samantha McDonald 2. Classes Offered Acting I Six week Hand-2-Hand Stage Combat Class HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study -”Follies” - “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” - “Julius Ceasar” Spring 2018 1. Production - “Stage Combat Presentation Tour” 2. Class Offered -HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study - “Macbeth” Summer 2018 Production - “Free to Be, You & Me” the musical. - Produced in partnership with the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library, The Boys & Girls Club of Cashiers, & The Cashiers Rec Park Day Camp - Performed at the Cashiers Library
“The Play That Went Wrong”
What to look for: Forgotten lines, missed cues, lost props, head injuries, missing clothing, a set that keeps falling apart, and a dead body that won’t stop moving. “Play,” like many knockabout farces, begins slowly but soon snowballs toward calamity. And it takes really fine actors to pretend to be this bad. The farce features 10 characters but the mischievous set (which won a Tony Award) is such an important part of the action that it deserves to be considered an 11th actor.
Winter 2018: Hand to Hand Stage Combat Workshop with Saman
Samanthan McDonald
Jessica Bennett
Samanthan McDonald & Jessica Bennet Guest Fight Directors
Samantha J. McDonald, Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) Certified Teacher - Samantha J McDonald is an Atlanta local SAG-AFTRA Stunt woman. You can catch Samantha on shows such as The Walking Dead, NBC’s Good Girls and Miracle Workers. For over ten years Samantha has been studying, performing, choreographing, and teaching the art of sword fighting and staged combat all around the US in different capacities. Jessica Erin Bennett, Society of American Fight Directors (SARD) - Jessica Erin Bennett is a bicoastal SAG/AFTRA stunt woman, filmmaker and Advanced EMT. Some of her recent work includes stunts on NBC’s Good Girls, co-writer and actress on Home Away, and casting associate for Corbin Nash. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching – especially when it comes to stunts and theatrical fighting!
nthan McDonald
Spring 2018: Stage Combat Presentation Tour
Director’s Note
You’d think it’d be pr the audience.
Fortunately, I had th
In addition to being of the Furious” and t She knows how to d
They’ve learned how ing the choreograph
Stage fighting is just ing and utilizing som it together with a gen it’s the “why” that lie
Some of the older st courtesy of William language. Fortunatel
Our performers also success of this revue
And of course, in lif course!
It’s been a delight wo tion demonstrates th combat, next year w need to refine the cr
For those of you wh ly in front of an audi
Let me also thank th make this seemingly week. Believe me, th
Naturally, I’m gratef spirit found in these
Now, on with show! Megan E. Greenlee
es
retty easy to teach young people how to fight. But the trick is to teach them how to fight without injury to themselves and
he help of Samantha J. McDonald.
g a certified fight instructor, Samantha’s also a professional stuntwoman who’s appeared in movies like last year’s “The Fate television programs such as “The Walking Dead,” and served as a stunt utility driver in the upcoming “Den of Thieves.” deliver and take a punch, and she’s taught our performers the intricacies of hand-to-hand stage combat.
w to give and receive front slaps, back-handed slaps, punches, kicks, and rolls. In many ways, this is equivalent to masterhy of an incredibly complex dance.
t one of the lessons imparted to this rising generation of Highlands Youth Theater. They have also been working on learnme of the basics of acting – who am I, where am I, and what am I doing? They’ve learned to take this information and put nre, set of circumstances, or time period. Then we add a conflict between the characters (for what we are studying now, es at the heart of the “fight”) and presto! you have the beginnings of a scene!
tudents who have been in the program the longest have also been challenged to learn supremely challenging dialogue, Shakespeare. As you’d guess, there are no shortcuts for understanding and memorizing and performing such complex ly, their young minds make this much easier than it would have been for more “mature” actors.
o learned the value of discipline, and the incredible importance of commitment. Like most serious tasks in life, a lot of the e is predicated upon the simple determination to show up when scheduled.
fe it’s important to know how to absorb a blow and, sometimes, how to deliver a solid punch. Metaphorically speaking, of
orking with these young people and witnessing their growing confidence and mastery of their craft. I hope this produche pride I feel for them and acts as a marker we’re laying down for future shows. For those who master this hand-to-hand we will begin on weaponry. We will also offer another hand-to-hand combat class for beginners and for those who still raft.
ho enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes – The hardest thing for those performing stage combat is to not speed it up, especialience. It takes a great deal of discipline and practice to stay in control while performing these moves.
he adults in their lives who made it possible for these actors to attend our rehearsals. The stresses of 21st Century life can y simple commitment a challenge at times, but somehow our young actors managed to make it to rehearsal week after he value of this basic act will become apparent as their lives unfold in directions we can scarcely imagine.
ful for the support of Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire and Glenville. This just wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of e communities.
We’re ready to rumble! e Potts
Spring 2018: Stage Combat Presentation Tour
Youth Theater 2017-18 School Year Spring Production
Stage Combat Presentation
Directed by Megan Potts The PAC Youth Theater is FREE & Open to all students 10 years & up Offering students opportunities in Training for General Theater Studies, Acting, Front of House, Technical Theater, Production, Design & Management; Production Opportunities; & Internships available.
All shows are FREE to the Public ~ Donations Accepted Saturday, April 28 Cashiers Library 7pm 249 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers Sunday, April 29 Highlands PAC 3pm 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands Highlands Performing Arts Center 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands, NC 828.526.9047 www.highlandspac.org
Sponsored by The Community Foundation of WNC Cashiers Foundation
Summer 20 D
018: “Free to Be ... You And Me”
In Partnership with Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
Megan Director notes and Video
2018-19 School Year: Fall 2018 1. Workshop - Beginner & Brush Up Day Long Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat 2. Classes Offered - Beginner General Theatre Studies - Acting I - Beginner Tech, Design, Production HD Live, National Theatre of London Day Study -”King Lear” - “Magic Flute” - “Madness of King George” Winter 2019 1. Workshop - Beginner & Brush Up Day Long Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat 2. Classes Offered - Set Design - Acting - Improvisation - Four week study, Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat - Four week study, Beginning Weaponry (must qualify per Artistic Director & Instructor Hand-to-Hand prerequisite) Spring 2019 Production - “Great Scenes from Shakespeare (with Combat)” - Visual Art Component of Production - Art Contest for all area students - in Partnership with The Bascomb
Winter 2019:
Acting Improv Class - Winter 2018-19 School Year
Set Design : Even parents participated
Spring 2019: “Great Scenes from Shakespeare (with Combat)”
”
Video Act One
Video Act Two
Spring 2019: “Great Scenes from Shakespeare (with Combat)� Visual Contest Winners
Macon County Winner
Jackson County Winner Landon Shaw , 13 years old 8th Grade, Macon Middle School
Camren Dalton Highlands School - High School 11th grade -Program Cover Winner
Award Wi Paige Bry Blue Ridg -Poster W
Landon S 13 years o 8th Grade Macon M -Poster W
Savannah 6th Grade Summit C -T-Shirt
A Very Special Thanks for Student Tech, Design, & Production Crew Members
inners yson 10th Grade ge High School & Early College Winner #1
Shaw old e Middle School Winner #2
h Grace Leonard e Charter Middle School t Winner
Director’s Notes Thanks for joining us for “Great Scenes from Shakespeare’s Plays (with Combat)!” We’re extremely proud of this production, especially since it represents the natural talents and hard work of a new generation of performers. It’s been a project freighted with promise and fraught with peril. I, and now you, are witnessing the blossoming of young people who’ve chosen to, in the timeless words of The Bard, “screw their courage to the sticking place,” and step upon the stage. There’s nothing easy about encountering Shakespeare for the first time. The language is tricky, the ideas are complex, and the emotions are both operatic and achingly tender. There’s comedy, there’s passion, and, of course, there’s combat. We’ve been blessed with stage combat lessons from a pair of nationally-recognized professional stuntwomen, Samantha McDonald and Jessica Bennett. They’ve been so in-demand that even their weekends were often booked with filming. This means that they were only able to squeeze us in in their limited free time. But you’ll see that their lessons were invaluable and that the children eagerly absorbed each one. You’ll witness the fruits of their labors as our performers fight, tumble, and draw their rapiers. But really, the fighting and the passion and the pratfalls are only part of the equation. Highlands Youth Theater’s young charges are not only performing on stage, they’re behind the curtain and up in the control booth as well. If you notice the makeup and the lighting and the sound that enhance the performances, well, all of that is thanks to stage managers and technicians and artisans working with our young students as they learn to do amazing things. And the talent of our young people extends beyond the stage and the control booth. The artwork that adorns this program, that illuminates the posters placed in the lobby and around this part of Western North Carolina, that appears on the T-shirts worn by cast and crew – all of it was created by young local artists. So there you have it, the reason I’m so proud Highlands Youth Theater’s young company. It’s our hope that you’ll judge “Great Scenes from Shakespeare’s Plays (with Combat)” with the same passion spotlighted by Shakespeare in “As You Like It”: “O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! And yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all hooping!” Megan E. Greenlee Potts
Winter 2020: “Ghostly Slumber Party” Director’s Notes “Thanks for joining us for the PAC Youth Theater’s production of “A Ghostly Slumber Party!” Humans have relished spooky stories ever since the first one was shared over a campfire, way back before anyone was writing things down. And those tales are all over the world. There’re the Ubume in Japan – silent spectral women roaming the deep forests and darkened streets, looking to snatch children to replace those they lost in another life. The Russalka of Russian folklore aren’t particular who they devour. These are spirits so seductive that it doesn’t matter who they appear to – men, women, even children – everyone falls prey to their charms. From western Africa, and subsequently the Caribbean and backwoods communities in the American South, we have tales of the Duppy Tree, an old, crooked tree that somehow leads unsuspecting travelers to their doom. And, of course, the plays of Shakespeare are replete with bad, bad things in the dark. There are the three witches from “Macbeth,” and, of course, Hamlet’s Dad. By the end of the plays, there’s madness in the air and blood all over the stage. Here in modern America, we’ve got those horrible flying monkeys from MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz,” and the urban legend Bloody Mary, a favorite guest at slumber parties. Well, to borrow a line from The Bard, with “A Ghostly Slumber Party,” something wicked this way comes. And like all the best of those creepy stories from long ago, we’ve placed our tales in the most innocuous of places – a girls’ slumber party on a random Saturday night, a silent library where a man’s slow descent into madness is hastened by the gentle rapping at a door, a quiet inn in the English countryside, and a busy hotel in completely rational Scandinavia. I hope you’ll enjoy these tales delivered by our talented troupe of actors. And just a reminder, because if we’re doing our jobs right you won’t notice during the show, but the eeriness that you’re feeling isn’t just the product of our stage performers. It’s sustained by the judicious application of sound and lighting effects scattered throughout every scene. It’s delivered by our young people through makeup design and execution, through our Lobby Board, the set, painting, props, and costumes. PAC Youth Theater’s stable of talent extends all the way from the stage to the control booth. Thanks are extended to the Highlands Performing Arts Center for keeping this program of theirs alive through the years and to the extraordinary generosity of the Cullasaja Women’s Club, The Rotary Club of Highlands, Mountain Findings, Steve Hott Construction, Highlands Playhouse, Highlands-Cashiers Players, The North Georgia Players, and anyone else who contributed to the show’s success after this has already gone to publication. We’re also grateful to the parents of members of our troupe and the alumni of PAC Youth Theater (that’s right – we have young adults who’ve graduated from our ranks and are now studying theater arts in college) for all their help and hard work on this year’s production, and generous members of the community who’ve heard the our ghostly wailing in the night and answered with their enthusiastic support. And finally, thanks to you for being a part of this audience. Your support means everything to us. If the scenes get too scary, just hold the hand of the person sitting next to you. Even if you don’t know them. Megan E. Greenlee Potts”
Brought to you by The Performing Arts Center of Highlands, North Carolina