New Britain Youth Theater Announces All-inclusive Programming For Children And Teens

New Britain Youth Theater, recently named Connecticut's Best Children's Theater by the editors of Connecticut Magazine, has announced a new all-inclusive theater program for children and teens of any and all physical, mental, sensory, and emotional abilities. Program development and the first year of programming have been funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.

An eight-week introductory Stage Performance class for ages 8 to 18 will begin the programming in January. As with all of the youth theater's Stage Performance classes, the curriculum will include drama games and warm-ups, development of voice and movement skills to each student's abilities, ensemble building, instruction of stage performance skills, and rehearsal of scenes for performance. The class will conclude with a showcase performance of scenes for an audience of family and friends. Spring programming will include a second eight-week class plus a small-scale production to be announced.

All-inclusive programming includes those children-as well as others who may choose to participate-in a program that will specifically welcome, engage, and challenge each of them to their own physical, mental, sensory, and emotional abilities. As with all NBYT programming, classes and rehearsal will align with National Arts Standards and will cover a range of theatrical texts and styles.

"NBYT has included participants on the autism spectrum, with learning disorders, and with physical disabilities or limitations in past productions," according to Executive and Artistic Director Darren Farrington. "Often, however, the theater has gotten inquiries or requests to offer programming so that children or teens who are more challenged may participate as well-specifically because of the social and emotional benefits of participation and because such programming is lacking in central Connecticut."

Classes and productions will be led by Senior Teaching Artist Nicki LaPorte. Working with the theater since 2011, LaPorte is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a double major in Educational Theatre and U.S. History. During the day she works with New Britain Public Schools in special education, and in the afternoon and evenings she brings a love of the performing arts to children and teens in acting classes and shows. She has also directed and taught through Hartford Performs, East Hartford Public Schools, Performing Arts Programs, the Gateway Project in Huntingdon, Massachusetts, and The Freedom Theater in the West Bank of Palestine. She has performed recently with Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain, and with Elmwood Productions in West Hartford as a puppeteer.

Families interested in learning more about New Britain Youth Theater's the all-inclusive programming or pre-registering for winter or spring programs may contact the theater by email at education@nbyt.org or by phone at 860-515-8115. More information about other NBYT productions and programming may also be found online at www.nbyt.org.

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