Theater
Red Curtain

Tween and Teen ONLINE Theatre Workshop: The Wizard of Oz

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Aspiring actors and actresses will love this theatre workshop! In a playful environment, tweens and teens will create fantastic improvisations under the guidance of drama teacher Ingrid Schaeffer. Together, the theatre group will perform an inspired version of “The Wizard of Oz” after reading through the script. All you need to participate is an active imagination! This free workshop, meant for teens and tweens from ages 11 to 18, takes place from 1 to 2:15 p.m., Saturday, April 10.

Gil Harel Darien Library image

Magic to Do: Stephen Schwartz’s ‘Pippin’ with Gil Harel

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The plot of “Pippin” presents the audience with an exceedingly abstract and “meta” story. In fact, at points in the musical, one gets the feeling that one is watching a show within a show. During this online program, Professor Gil Harel will discuss this unique musical, calling attention to its genesis and evolution, its unusual and somewhat complex plot, and its infectious score. — an announcement from Darien Library

Having been conceived during Stephen Schwartz’s days as a student at Carnegie Mellon, and having made its debut on Broadway in 1972, the show was reimagined in an award-winning revival in 2013. In the nearly 50 years since its premiere, and in various stagings and incarnations, “Pippin” has enchanted audiences with its compelling story and stellar score.

Darien Library
Purple Ribbon Darien Domestic Abuse Council Domestic Violence

‘The Party,’ a Short Play About Dating Violence at College, To Be Presented Tuesday at Darien Library

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The Darien Domestic Abuse Council and Respectworks presents a short play exploring issues associated with relationship violence, sexual assault, consent, and bystander intervention. — an announcement from Darien Library

This unique, educational, interactive performance will take place from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Community Room at Darien Library. The content is considered suitable for those of High School age and older. About the Play

Presented by Deana’s Educational Theater (who also brought us “The Yellow Dress”), “The Party” explores the relationship between three characters, Jordan, Kyle and Allie, who are in college and enjoying campus life: Parties, games, and “hooking up” become a regular part of college life until one night something goes horribly wrong.

Books & Authors
Matt Newton MN Acting Studio

Curious About What It’s Like to Be an Actor? Matt Newton Has a Book for You — and He’ll Sign it on Feb 13

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If you’ve got ambitions of becoming an actor or are just curious, you can talk about it with Matt Newton, an acting coach with a studio in Darien who will discuss his book “The No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz,” answer questions and sign copies on Feb. 13 at Barrett Bookstore. Newton, who is also an actor and filmmaker, runs MN Acting Studio at 22 Grove St. An announcement for the event describes his book as “a candid, practical, shoot-from-the-hip how-to guide developed for new actors in the business as well as for seasoned professionals.” The book-signing takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb.

Parents & Kids
Mary Poppins JR Auditions

Auditions for Mary Poppins JR for Kids 8 to 18 Start Dec 4 in Greenwich

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Open Arts Alliance has announced auditions for its upcoming musical production of Mary Poppins JR. Auditions will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at the YMCA of Greenwich (50 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830). — an announcement from Open Arts Alliance

Students ages 8 to 18 are encouraged to come audition for this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius story about a family in turmoil and the magical nanny who saves the day. Featuring classic songs like: “Step In Time,“ “Jolly Holiday” and “A Spoon Full Of Sugar,” Mary Poppins is one of the world’s most beloved musicals. Performances of Mary Poppins JR. will take place on April 24, 25 and 26, 2020.

Healthy Living
To Whom It May Concern play dementia At Home In Darien Nov 2019

Interactive Theater Program Performed by People With Dementia Comes to Darien on Nov 7

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At Home In Darien is delighted to bring to Darien To Whom I May Concern, an interactive theater program performed by people who have been diagnosed with a progressive brain illness such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. — an announcement from At Home In Darien

Using their own words, these individuals share their stories and experiences with live audiences. If You’re Going … The program (TWIMC) will be shown at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7.

Classes
Darien Arts Center kids production

Kids in Grades 3 to 6 Can Shine in Darien Arts Center’s ‘Regards to Broadway’ Show

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Young & talented performers in Grades 3 to 6 will be given a chance to shine in the Darien Arts Center’s classic Broadway style production, “Regards to Broadway.” — an announcement from Darien Arts Center (we’ve put both the nitty and the gritty in boldface.)

After last year’s sold out performance of “Broadway Beat!,” the DAC has teamed up with Open Arts Alliance again for this exciting new revue. Rehearsals take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from Sept. 10 though Oct. 29.

Parents & Kids
MN Acting Studio

Intensive, One Week Acting Class for Kids Offered This August in Darien

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Kids from ages 10 to 15 with an interest in acting can join a weeklong, intensive class for film and television acting this August by Matt Newton of MN Acting Studio in Darien and talent agent Deb Chasen of Chasen Talent. — an announcement from MN Acting Studio
This one of a kind, challenging, weeklong on-camera workshop is limited to 10 trained, professional, hand selected young actors who want to work exclusively with  Newton (youth on set acting coach for “Jessica Jones,” “Blue Bloods,” “Orange is the New Black,” and “When They See Us”) on all aspects of TV and film in a small group setting. The class will cover everything from auditioning, to role prep, to working on set, improvisation, cold-reads, the casting process, and even writing and directing their own scenes. Actors will also film a professional scene (directed by Matt) with a small crew on location to be ultimately used for their demo reel/online casting profile. In addition, on the final day, Matt will in an industry guest to watch and critique scenes, and do a Q&A with parents.

Darien Arts Center

Darien Arts Center’s Theater Summer Camps for Kids in Grades 5 to 12

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Shakespeare on the Sound and the Open Arts Alliance are partnering with the Darien Arts Center to provide new theatre offerings this summer for Grades 5 to 12. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

The summer camp for Grades 7 to 10, Twelfth Night, Jr., begins June 24 and showcases a culminating performance on the Shakespeare On The Sound stage in Rowayton on July 3. Into the Woods, Jr., for Grades 5 to 12, begins Aug. 12, with auditions on June 3. Additionally, there are vocal and dance audition workshops on June 2 for Grades 6-10.

Darien Library
Libby Skala Irena Sendler: Rescuing the Rescuer play

REMINDER: Sunday March 31, Darien Library Presents a One-Woman Play, ‘Irena Sendler: Rescuing the Rescuer’

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Darien Library presents Libby Skala, winner of the London Fringe’s Best Solo Performer Award, in her new solo show, Irena Sendler: Rescuing the Rescuer, a heroic intergenerational story about the power of one person to effect change in the world, on Sunday, March 31. — an announcement from Darien Library

The play starts at at 3 p.m. Music is composed and performed by Steve May. Refreshments will be served. Through a kaleidoscope of characters, Libby Skala brings to riveting life the true story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker who defies Nazi rule to organize an underground network that successfully rescues 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. For decades, her heroism remains hidden behind the iron curtain.

Parents & Kids
William Shakespeare Cobbe portrait

Two New Opportunities for Darien Kids to Perform, Study Shakespeare This Spring, Summer at DAC

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Shakespeare On The Sound is popping indoors at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio to provide two opportunities for teens to study, perform and fall in love with the Bard’s work:

—”Shakespeare or What You Will” — a class for Grades 9 through 12

—”Twelfth Night, Jr.” — a summer camp for Grades 7 through 10. Shakespeare or What You Will

Claire Kelly, artistic director for Shakespeare on the Sound and the organization’s Education Director, Nick Urda are teaching “Shakespeare or What You Will” this spring. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

Students will uncover the secrets of performing, understanding and loving Shakespeare. Over the course of the program, participants will learn how to analyze text, develop a character, strengthen performance skills, and conquer cold feet.

Seniors
Chicago the musical high school edition Theatre 308

Darien Seniors: Free Admission, Free Ride for ‘Chicago: The Musical’ March 26 at Darien High School

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Darien High School’s Theater 308 has kindly invited Darien seniors to attend the dress rehearsal of Chicago The Musical at Darien High School on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 7 p.m.

(The date has been changed from an earlier announcement.)

Seniors can enjoy the show free of charge without the crowds expected at performances over the weekend. Free transportation to and from the Darien High School is also available through At Home In Darien. — an announcement from At Home In Darien

Using volunteer drivers in conjunction with their professional drivers, At Home In Darien has arranged for transportation at about 6:30 p.m. Seniors can be picked up at their homes and will be returned home safely after the show. Theatre 308 will present the longest running American musical in Broadway history, Chicago, the winner of six Tony Awards for its revival in 1996, takes place in the roaring twenties, a time of great political corruption and media sensationalism. Failed vaudeville performer Roxie Hart murders her faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap — until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie.

Arts & Entertainment
Matt Newton MN Acting Studio

Actors: Have Your Sights on TV and Film? NYC Studio Opens Location in Darien

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New York City TV and film acting studio, MN Acting Studio, is opening a second location in downtown Darien this month at 22 Grove St. — an announcement from MN Acting Studio

Owned by filmmaker, acting coach and Darien resident Matt Newton, his studio will bring professional level on-camera classes, private audition coaching, industry panels and professional audition taping to actors of all ages on the shoreline. Matt Newton graduated from the theatre department at Guilford High School, has appeared in dozens of TV shows and films, and has since carved out a successful career in coaching actors, including on the set of “Orange is the New Black,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Affair,” “Blue Bloods,” “Master of None” and the upcoming Ava Duvernay series “Central Park Five.”

Matt’s coaching clients include Tony winners, Emmy award winners, Gold Globe nominees, Broadway stars, well known comedians and musicians (including Aziz Ansari and Lisa Loeb), and well known actors from film and TV. Matt, who grew up in Guilford, realized there were professional actors on the shoreline that need professional level training in the world of TV and film. “Right now New York is casting over 90 TV shows, and many younger actors are seeking out more practical, advanced on-camera training to prep them for auditions and working on set,” he said.

Education
Chicago the musical high school edition Theatre 308

Theatre 308 Presents ‘Chicago: The Musical’ at Darien High School, March 22 to 30

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It would be criminal if you missed it: Darien High School’s Chicago the Musical! Theatre 308 will present the high school edition of the longest running American musical in Broadway history, Chicago, at the Darien High School Auditorium, March 22 – 30, 2019. — an announcement from Darien High School and Theatre 308
Chicago, the winner of six Tony Awards for its revival in 1996, takes place in the roaring twenties, a time of great political corruption and media sensationalism. Failed vaudeville performer Roxie Hart murders her faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap…until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and fellow inmate Velma Kelly vie for the spotlight and headlines with help from Chicago’s slickest lawyer Billy Flynn.