Local
Creative dramatics auditions and classes at Playhouse on the Green
By Playhouse on the Green
Dec 11, 2007 - 8:41:54 AM

Playhouse on the Green announces auditions and enrollment for creative dramatics classes for children ages 6-12 on Saturday, December 22 and Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m., at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St., Bridgeport.

Creative dramatics classes will be conducted Saturday mornings, beginning January 5, for four weeks. The classes will culminate in a performance of the work developed in the classes on Saturday, January 26 at 1 p.m. for family and friends.
Creative dramatics classes will introduce children to all aspects of theatre arts through improvisational games and role playing. All parents interested in enrolling their children in the classes should bring them to auditions. Tuition for the children's creative dramatics classes is $100 for four classes.

Jack Rushen, Fairfield County actor, playwright and director, will teach the creative dramatics classes. Rushen, acting director of the educational program at Playhouse on the Green, said, "We are very excited about continuing the very successful creative dramatics children's theatre program that we began this fall. This is a unique opportunity for talented children from the community to explore the theatre. In addition, the Playhouse is also looking for individuals of all ages who want to be involved in the Playhouse."

Rushen began his professional acting career in Michael Moriarty's production of "Richard III," which he performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He also appeared in several regional theatre productions, including "The Admirable Crichton," "Ethan Frome" and "The Doctor's Dilemma" at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre, and was also seen at the Hartford Stage in "Antony and Cleopatra," under the direction of Mark Lamos. Television audiences have seen him in "Law & Order, "Ed," and "Pros and Cons," a new pilot starring Billy Baldwin. Soap Opera appearances include "The Edge of Night," "One Life to Live" and "All My Children." He also played a prosecutor in the film "Now and Forever" for German Television. Recently, he was awarded first prize in the Georgia Theatre Conference for his play, "Testimonial," which was developed and produced in the Theatre Artists Workshop in Norwalk. Rushen is a member of the Emerging Artists Theatre in New York City, where several of his comedies and dramas have been produced. Recent projects include two short films, "Temporary Help" and "Disconnected," and his first feature film "Among Friends," is to be shot soon.

Playhouse on the Green is a 228-seat, state-of-the-art theatre. Originating in 1954 as the Polka Dot Playhouse located in Stratford's Redman's Hall, the theatre had several homes before moving in 1967 to Pleasure Beach, an island off Bridgeport. In 1996, access to the Playhouse was cut off when the connecting bridge to Pleasure Beach burned down. With support of People's Bank and the State of Connecticut, the Polka Dot Playhouse reopened in 1999 in a renovated, former bank building in the heart of downtown Bridgeport. In 2002, the name changed to Playhouse on the Green, reflecting its location on McLevy Green, accessible to nearby restaurants and parking. A new theatre initiative at Playhouse on the Green will produce a season of professionally enhanced stage plays, musicals, new play readings and children's productions.

For more information about creative dramatics auditions and class enrollment, call 203-696-0033.

© Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com