A Noise Within Announces SUMMER WITH SHAKESPEARE, for Ages 10-18

A Noise Within (ANW), the highly regarded classical repertory theatre company and a leading force in arts education, presents SUMMER WITH SHAKESPEARE, a three-week summer program for youth ages 10 to 18 which demystifies Shakespeare's verse and grooms young artists to be Shakespearean performers.  On a deeper level, this camp, which runs from June 25 to July 14, 2012, at the company's new state-of-the-Art Theatre in Pasadena, illuminates a connection to the patterns of the human condition inherent in Shakespeare's works.

Summer With Shakespeare, a conservatory-style program of acting, improvisation, stage diction, text analysis, kinetic exercises and stage combat, is led by classically-trained, professional actors, choreographers and designers.  Participants gain appreciation for Shakespeare’s verse through a unique exposure to the Bard's classic comedies, tragedies, and history plays.  They also have the opportunity to enhance their acting and public speaking skills and build self-confidence on the stage.  At the program's conclusion, participants perform scenes and monologues from Shakespeare’s plays for an audience on A Noise Within's main stage.

Two registration options include Full Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Summer School Special, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The cost for either session is $825.  Single weeks are also available in the mornings, and before- and after-care are offered.  Registration deadline is June 18, 2012.  Space is limited.

A Noise Within (ANW) is the only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California and one of only a handful in the entire country dedicated solely to producing classical dramatic literature in the repertory tradition of rotating productions with a resident company of professional artists.  Led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, A Noise Within has been hailed by critics as a “premiere classical theatre company,” and an "outstanding ensemble" whose "vibrantly theatrical" "brilliant productions" are "freshly imagined," "exceptional," "invigorating," "riveting," "brilliantly atmospheric," “inspired,” and “masterfully crafted.”  Founded 20 years ago with a passion for the great classics of world literature, ANW quickly established itself as one of the region’s key theatre companies, attracting fiercely loyal audiences and consistently high praise from the media for its productions and as a key force in arts education.  The company has presented more than 140 plays from the classics of world literature, each season producing works from authors ranging from Shakespeare and Molière to Ibsen, O’Neill and Shaw to Miller and Williams.

A Noise Within launched its milestone 2011-12 Season and 20th Anniversary in its permanent new home, a 33,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art venue in Pasadena, on Saturday, October 29, 2011.  The 283-seat theatre's thrust stage, expansive backstage area and cutting-edge technology, accommodating productions both epic and intimate, provide tremendous opportunities for artistic exploration.  At the same time, it preserves A Noise Within's unique theatrical communion between actors and audiences, with no seat further from the stage than seven rows.  The venue, already being hailed as an arts anchor for East Pasadena, is located in the former Stuart Pharmaceutical building, a historic, mid-century modern masterpiece designed by celebrated architect Edward Durell Stone, known for landmark buildings around the country including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and Radio City Music Hall in New York.  Constructed in the mid-1950s, the Stuart Pharmaceutical building was listed on the National Register in 1998 and features a striking landscape garden designed by Thomas Church.  The completely new three-story theatre – which retains the building's original façade -- features support facilities, offices, rehearsal space, a classroom, considerable storage for costumes, props and scenery and large restrooms.  A Noise Within's long history of fiscal stability is highlighted by its 20 seasons "in the black" as well as its ability in a challenging economic climate to raise close to $13.5 million for a successful capital campaign.

A NOISE WITHIN is located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.  To register for SUMMER WITH SHAKESPEARE or for questions, call 626-356-3104 or visit www.ANoiseWithin.org.

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