Penobscot Theatre Company Sets 2014-15 Education Programs

Penobscot Theatre Company has unveiled a diverse slate of dramatic education programs for the 2014-2015 school year including youth classes, vacation camps, master classes for teens and adults, and a new young adult conservatory. Leading the theatre's Dramatic Academy, which encompasses the full range of programs, is Amy Roeder, who assumed her new role as the company's director of education this week.

Amy previously served among The Second City's elite corps of improv artists and instructors, and brings deep experience as an actor, writer, director, voiceover artist, and award-winning teacher. "I'm thrilled to come onboard at this exciting time in the program's development!" said Roeder. "I was able to see all the Dramatic Academy productions this summer and was so impressed-not only with the emerging talent on stage and behind the scenes, but with the evident depth of support among the audience. We're excited to continue developing students' technique and growing this vibrant community of theatre lovers."

Roeder has penned an original script for Frankenstein, the first of three youth productions planned for the upcoming school year for students in pre-K through grade 8. Each production is the culmination of weeks of after-school classes and rehearsals. The fall session (Frankenstein) will run September 16 through October 30, with performances October 31 through November 2; the winter session, culminating with Holes, by Louis Sacher, will run January 6 through March 5, with performances February 6-8; and the spring session, centered around James and the Giant Peach, adapted from the book by Roald Dahl, will run from March 24 through May 28, with performances May 29-31.

"We're delighted to offer for the first time this year an intensive weekly acting class for high school students seriously developing their craft," said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport. "Through our new Young Adult Conservatory, they'll receive professional instruction in vocal technique, movement, improvisation, and scene development. Our goal is to help prepare these students for success at the post-secondary level and beyond."

Dramatic Academy offerings also include a series of Master Classes for teens and adults on a range of topics and school vacation camps in February and April. For more details about all the programs and to download a registration form, visit www.penobscottheatre.org and click on the Education tab.

The public is cordially invited to meet Amy Roeder and learn more about Penobscot Theatre Company's education programs at a Town Hall Forum on dramatic education, Sunday, August 24, at 5:00 pm, at the Bangor Opera House.