ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, ALADDIN JR., FAME Set for The Bijou Theatre's 2015 Kids Programs

Coming this summer, The Bijou Theatre in Bijou Square, Bridgeport, is offering three different programs for student performers between June and August: two day programs for ages 8-14 years - the Bijou Youth Summer Stage; and an evening program for young adults ages 15-22, the Bijou Young Adult Summer Stock.

For students ages 8-14 years, there are two sessions consisting each of three weeks full of classes covering dance, music, voice, improvisation, scene work, stage craft, and more, all resulting in a final performance of a full musical. The first session runs June 22-July 10, Mondays through Fridays from 9am to 2pm and culminates with a performance of the musical Aladdin Jr on Friday, July 10. The second session runs July 13-31, Mondays through Fridays from 9am to 2pm and culminates with a performance of the musical Once on This Island Jr on Friday, July 31. All age appropriate students are welcome to register, no experience necessary. The fee for participation is $625/student per session or $1000 if the student would like to participate in both sessions! The deadline for registration is fast approaching; last day is June 8th!

Both day sessions are lead, and musicals directed by, Mathew Young, who has experience across Fairfield County working with actors of all ages. A graduate of The New Actor's Workshop, Mat studied under the minds of George Morrison, the schools founder and former theatre department head at Suny Purchase, and film and theater director Mike Nichols. In addition, he studied "VoliaSpolin's Improvisation for the Theatre" with her son Paul Sills, co-founder of The Second City comedy troupe and creator and original director of the Broadway show Storytheater. Mat founded three different comedy improvisation troupes; Rhode Island's "Who is Winston Churchill?!," Manhattan's "Hypothetical Playground" and Connecticut's "Space Pockets." He has also performed in the films Bullet in the Brain directed by David Von Acken and A Chubby Kid, which he wrote and starred in. As a writer Mat has written the musicals Mary Potter and the Race to Nowhere, Musical the Musical, True Twilight Diaries, and Suddenly There Came a Tapping. Over his career, Mat has directed dozens of productions for both adults and children, and he currently teaches at Darien Arts Center and The Klein Memorial Auditorium.

For students ages 15-22, there is a four-week program dedicated to producing the musical Fame. Directed by Maggie Pangrazio, The Bijou Theatre's Artistic Director, students will perform the popular musical over six performances spanning two weekends, opening July 17. Actors are required to audition for a role in Fame, and a fundraising obligation of $250 is due prior to July 12. Ad sale and alternative fundraising opportunities are available to raise funds for participation. Rehearsals are held Mondays through Thursdays from 6pm-10pm, beginning July 22 at The Bijou Theatre and The Bijou Box, located on Elm Street, one block over from the Theatre. Performances are July 17, 18, 24, 25, and 26.

Maggie Pangrazio, who has an extensive theatrical background, has recently been involved in productions with The Bijou Theatre, Darien Arts Center, New Canaan Powerhouse Players, Westport Community Theatre, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and Bridgeport Theatre Company. She's directed over a dozen plays and musicals across Fairfield County, and worked on shows at Fairfield Ludlowe and Brien McMahon High Schools, as well as several elementary and grade schools in Westport and Darien. Pangrazio has a degree in Music Theatre Performance and Communications from American University, where she graduated Cum Laude with University Honors. Raised in Fairfield, CT, Pangrazio was largely involved in theatre in her high school, Fairfield County Follies, and the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Pangrazio is also a certified makeup artist in theatrical and special effects makeup, and she is the Artistic Director of The Bijou Theatre.

For more information, visit The Bijou Theatre's website www.thebijoutheatre.com or call the box office at 203-332-3228. Session inquiries can be directed to Maggie@thebijoutheatre.com, and ticket or general inquiries to Maureen@thebijoutheatre.com.

The Bijou Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The Bijou Performing Arts Center offers educational programs in Dance though New England Ballet, Music & Theatre, as well as special events and live theatre performances. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the Bijou Arts Center, which is located at 275 Fairfield Avenue in Downtown Bridgeport. The Bijou Theatre, one of the oldest buildings in the country used as a movie house, reopened its doors in 2011. In addition to continuing its historic character of showing movies, the Theatre offers a full repertoire of live music, comedy, theater and dance, which can be enjoyed in either theater seating or cabaret style. The Bijou Theatre is a multi-functional venue with integrity and an open-minded philosophy- a symposium for film, theatre, art, comedy and music. The Theatre is available for private rentals, holiday parties, corporate events, and much more.

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