Drama Learning Center's TYA to Present CARRIE this Weekend

Drama Learning Center's teen professional company will present Carrie the musical this month. Based on the iconic debut novel by Stephen King, Carrie the musical follows young misfit Carrie White and her classmates during their final days of high school. Carrie is bullied by the popular crowd, and is invisible to everyone else. While Carrie is held at the mercy of her cruel and over-protective mother at home, she discovers a special power that she's not afraid to use if pushed too far.

Carrie the musical features a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and a storied past as one of the biggest Broadway flops in the history of contemporary American musical theatre. Carrie returned to stage in 2012 after its authors re-worked much of the material that had lain dormant for nearly 25 years. In a joint statement, the creators said: "We couldn't be happier that our new version of Carrie will at last be sent out into the world to continue its adventure and journey of resurrection." TYA teen professionals have engaged the community at large in discussion and commentary related to the ever-growing bullying epidemic that has swept the nation in the past several years. "We wanted to make sure that they realized that they are now socially responsible after being a part of a show with this kind of subject matter," states director Stephanie Lynn Williams. "We don't just want to produce theatre for the sake of producing theatre when there is a larger societal message that is relevant both to our performers and our audiences. Our objective is to train the next generation of theatre professionals that are as socially conscious as they are talented."

Drama Learning Center's Teen Professional Company, TYA (Teaching Young Actors), presents its winter production of Carrie from January 16-24, 2015 at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. Available by audition only, the TYA program allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work. TYA has a strong history of bringing cutting-edge titles to Howard County audiences. The group has previously mounted area premieres of GHOST the Musical, 13 the Musical, Legally Blonde, and High School Musical. This production of Carrie the Musical continues TYA's long-standing tradition of producing cutting-edge, contemporary musical theatre.

Carrie the musical is presented by permission through special arrangement R&H Theatricals.