Places of Denver TOWN HALL ARTS CENTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING LuAnn Buckstein, Education Manager; Brian Murray, Actor (The Giant in the interactive play, Jack and the Beanstalk; and Charla Mason, Director, The Wizard of Oz (Summer Teen Performance Intensive) PHOTO CREDIT: JENNY FOLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
T own Hall Arts Center is an downtown Littleton, CO. In addition to its main stage musicals and special per- formance events, Town Hall Arts Center also boasts an impactful and thriving educational program led by professional actor, director, improv artist, and youth advocate, LuAnn Buckstein. program’s reaches more than 4,000 stu- dents and families each season through her year-round, onsite classes, and her “Arts on the Move Program”-a collection of hour-long interactive plays like Jack and the Beanstalk, and A (participation) Christmas Carol. The interactives can be performed at the theater for schools or groups looking for field trip oppor- tunities, or can travel and be performed offsite to accommodate needs of schools and community groups who might be unable to afford transportation to and from the venue. award-winning professional theater, located in the heart of Under LuAnn’s engaging leadership, Town Hall Arts Center’s educational
experiences, LuAnn also offers year- round classes for learners and young artists, ages four to 18. During the school year, student artists meet once a week for eight weeks before performing a short play or showcase for invited audiences. During the summer, LuAnn offers six-week performance intensives. Students grouped ages 7 to 12, and ages 13 to 18, spend four hours a day learning an abbreviated version of an existing musical. At the end of their rehearsal period, the younger artists perform their show three times over a weekend for invited audiences. The older students get a taste of what it is like to be a professional stage actor. They will perform an eight-show week —three shows for invited audiences and five weekday shows for student audiences from local childcare provid- ers or youth camps. The student actors get to work with professional direc- tors, designers, and crew giving every participant the unique opportunity to collaborate with artists who make their livings in theater, both in Colorado and across the country. This summer, the
teen intensive will be The Wizard of Oz directed by Charla Mason- Kelly, who has enjoyed a long career in both theater and education. LuAnn says her programs are special be- cause of the incredible talent Colorado attracts. She herself has worked with fa- mous improv artists like Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is It, Anyway? and Paula Poundstone. Many of her teaching art- ists are seasoned professionals— former Broadway performers, film and televi- sion actors, and even technical artists who have worked with movie stars like Robert De Niro. These artists have chosen to make Colorado their home and bring real-life experience to the classroom, along with the warmth and kindness Colora- doans are known for. LuAnn says this unique blend of professionalism and heart ensures that her students receive exceptional training in a supportive and inspiring environment. For more information, visit TownHallArtsCenter.org.
In addition to offering these interactive
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