Gulfshore Playhouse Welcomes New Director of Education

Gulfshore Playhouse welcomes their new Director of Education, Leah Shaeffer. Leah joins Gulfshore Playhouse following completing an Education Apprenticeship with Cleveland Play House. Leah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education and a teaching license in Drama/Theatre, grades Pre-K through 12, from Ohio Wesleyan University. Leah has worked as an actor and teaching artist with various youth theatre companies.

"I am thrilled to welcome Leah to the Gulfshore Playhouse family. She has already hit the ground running with our summer camps, and I look forward to the new programming, opportunities, and partnerships that are in the works," states Kristen Coury, founder and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse.

Leah will be responsible for shaping Gulfshore Playhouse's education department going forward. She will be forging new exciting partnerships with area organizations, creating dramatic new after-school classes with our STAR Academy, and supervising the reorganization of our in-school residencies, newly named ThinkTheatre. Leah will also helm Gulfshore Playhouse's audience engagement effort with the Synergy Series, which has been well received by our audiences.

Gulfshore Playhouse's STAR Summer Camps offer opportunities for students aged 5-18 in four camps at The Norris Center. "STAR in a Play Acting Program" and "Summer Acting Intensive for Teens" are currently in session, and two sessions of "Unmask the Power of Theatre" will begin in July.

Leah is directing the "STAR' in a Play Acting Program" which is an innovative, exciting and fun three-week acting program that will introduce young performers to the creative and technical side of theatre while they rehearse and perform The Snow Queen, a new play written by Shaeffer, which is adapted from the fairytale that Disney's Frozen was based on. This camp includes acting training from Gulfshore Playhouse Director of Education, Leah Shaeffer. Students, ages 7-12, are learning lessons on blocking, movement, breathing, relaxation, and bringing a character to life. "STAR" in a Play Acting Program will culminate in a performance on Friday, June 27th at 12:00pm. The performance is free and open to the public.

"Summer Acting Intensive for Teens" is developed specifically for teens interested in exploring theatre more deeply; this stimulating two week intensive program will introduce young adults to both the creative and business side of theater. Students, ages 13-18, will receive acting training including, blocking, breathing, relaxation, breaking down a scene, proper audition technique, and bringing a character to life from Gulfshore Playhouse's Artistic Associate, Professional Actor Cody Nickell. The camp will also include a special two-day clown class with professional, award-winning actor Kate Eastwood Norris. In addition to acting training, students will have an introduction to set design, lighting, and sound equipment. Students participating in the "Summer Acting Intensive for Teens" will participate in a showcase on Wednesday, June 18th at 4:00pm.

Gulfshore Playhouse will host 2 one-week summer camps starting in July. "Unmask the Power of the Theatre" will explore fairy tales, storytelling, props-making, and more with children ages 5-8. Both camps will be taught by Gulfshore Playhouse Teaching Artist, Selma Spies. These two sessions will be held July 14-18, 2014 and July 28-August 1, 2014 from 1-4pm. This fun filled camp will conclude with a presentation for friends and family at 4:00pm on the final day of each camp. The cost of this camp is $90, and registration is still open.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately devoted to creating high-quality professional theatre at affordable prices and diverse educational opportunities for our region. Producing a full season of plays ranging from venerated classics and Broadway hits to contemporary plays and world premieres, Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to surpassing the standards of every valued patron while continuing to contribute to the vibrant arts and culture scene in Southwest Florida.

To reserve seats for Gulfshore Playhouse's summer camp performances, or to register for "Unmask the Power of Theatre" please call Gulfshore Playhouse's Administrative Offices at 239-261-7529.

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