Penobscot Theatre Company Sets New Leadership for Dramatic Academy
Penobscot Theatre Company has announced the hiring of Amy Roeder-actor, writer, director, voiceover artist, and award-winning teacher/instructor-as its new director of education. In August Amy will relocate from Chicago where she has served among The Second City's elite corps. "I saw Amy perform when I was at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta," said Artistic Director Bari Newport, "and she blew me away! She's a lifelong student of the craft, seriously dedicated and hilariously funny, which is why she shines on stage and also why she's one of Second City's most in-demand instructors. She has so much to offer our Dramatic Academy and we're excited to welcome her to the community."
Amy's teaching experience ranges from after-school theatre programs to university courses and corporate training. She has performed with the Improv Asylum in Boston, Gotham City Improv in New York, Maine's own Improv Acadia, Germinal Stage Denver, and Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, in addition to The Second City both in Chicago and around the world; and has earned many television and film credits. Amy holds an MFA from the University of Georgia and is a certified teacher in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique. She is a member of the Actor's Equity Association (AEA) and the Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA).
PTC's Dramatic Academy Summer will be in full swing upon Amy's arrival, led by an outstanding team of professional teaching artists. Christie Robinson will lead the first summer session, June 23-July 18, centered on the hit Broadway musical Hairspray. With vocal, dance, and acting talents in equal abundance, Christie has charmed PTC's audiences since 2008; and she has worked with young thespians as a producer, director, and choreographer in more than 30 productions. Last seen in Cinderella: A New Telling Of An Old Tale, Christie is currently preparing for her role as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show.
"As a musical theatre junkie, I am thrilled to be producing Hairspray with the Dramatic Academy. A feel-good, sparkly musical with big dance numbers, big notes, and big hair? What's not to love? Whether they want to be on stage or behind the scenes, PTC offers kids a theatre experience like no other!"
Jasmine Ireland, PTC's former director of education and outreach, will lead the program's second summer session, July 28-August 15, bringing to life adventure-filled stories inspired by classic Greek myths. Beloved resident teaching artist Ben Layman will direct productions in each session.
New this summer, PTC is piloting Tech Track during Session 1, a special course of study concentrating on the work behind the scenes: set and prop design and construction, stage management, costuming, lighting, and sound. Tech students will get valuable hands-on training and play an integral role in producing Dramatic Academy's summer shows, all performed on PTC's historic main stage.
Summer registration is open to students aged 4-20, and no previous experience or audition is required. Classes will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm (lunch optional, 12:00-1:00 pm) for students aged 4-6; 9:00 am-4:00 pm for students aged 7-13; and 1:00-8:00 pm for students aged 14-20. During Session 1, Tech Track will run daily Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.
For more information, visit www.penobscottheatre.org and click on the Education tab.
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