Creative Cauldron Receives 2019 Dominion Energy ArtStars Award

In late January, Creative Cauldron was honored with a Dominion Energy ArtStars Award for our performing and visual arts education programs serving multi-generational students. Creative Cauldron was one of five non-profit organizations across Virginia to be recognized as 2019 Dominion Energy ArtStars for inspiring people of all ages in creative endeavors. Each organization received a Shining Star award and a $10,000 grant to use towards their winning arts or cultural education program. Hunter Applewhite, President of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, presented the award during the annual Art Works for Virginia conference sponsored by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Creative Cauldron Founder and Producing Director, Laura Connors Hull, remarked: The Dominion ArtStars Award is such an honor for us, and one that will help us continue to bring our educational programs in the performing and visual arts to as wide a spectrum of our community as possible. The arts provide young people with a transformational experience that has a lasting impact on their academic success, their self esteem and social skills throughout their lives.

Since 2002, Creative Cauldron has been offering Arts Adventure Camps for 4 to 14 year olds during the spring and summer months. The camps use a theme-based approach to explore the performing and visual arts. Science, myth, folklore and music all play a role in the development of original stories and works of art based on the theme. Creative Cauldron has also offered arts enrichment programs and residencies at area Northern Virginia elementary schools.

With the acquisition of a permanent home in 2009, Creative Cauldron expanded upon these programs and began presenting year round theatrical and musical performances. Each season now includes five professional productions (often with roles for younger performers), and two Learning Theater productions. The Learning Theater program offers a unique opportunity for young people to perform in an original adaptation of a children's classic, written to support the strengths and talents of the young performers. Professional actors, who serve as mentors throughout the rehearsals and performances, anchor productions. The productions run for 15 to 16 performances and participants continue to receive notes and direction after every show.

In hearing about the ArtStars Award, Creative Cauldron parents shared their congratulations:

My girls have participated in numerous Creative Cauldron programs and have performed in at least 10 shows. They have acquired leadership skills and have also learned about community that it takes many people's commitment and the combination of different skills to build something great. As parents, we believe that the education that Creative Cauldron provides has many long-term impacts for their future. This award is well deserved. Andrea Robles

Creative Cauldron inspires a culture of imagination, expression, and learning that allows these young actors to develop rich, touching performances for the entire community. My children have a genuine appreciation for the storytelling and teamwork needed to make a show come to life. Creative Cauldron's community of learning and discovery allows my children to grow and explore the arts in ways my wife and I could never have imagined. Dominion Energy is to be commended for bestowing this award on this wonderful theater in Falls Church. Jeff Thiebert

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