Penobscot Celebrates the 'Fabulous Fifties' This Summer

Hey Hep Cats and Cool Chicks! Check it out, but don't flip your lid! Registration is now open for Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy Summer 2019! This year, we are travelling back in time to the 1950's with two classics from America's favorite decade, and one brand new play that captures the spooky spirit of 1950's horror and sci-fi films! The musical theatre session will focus on the Elvis Presley inspired rock and roll spectacle Bye,Bye,Birdie, while the non-musical session will be divided into two groups with younger students performing in the exciting Sci-Fi comedy: The Man From Planet 52 and older students performing in the powerful drama Rebel Without A Cause. We are also thrilled to once again offer our Tech Track program for students who are interested in learning about the technical aspects of the theatre. The theatre's summer programs welcome young performers and technical theatre enthusiasts to enroll, regardless of theatre experience level.

Session 1

Bye, Bye, Birdie (musical)

For ages: 4-20

Session dates: June 24-July 21

Performance dates: July 18-21

The year is 1958. Rock star Conrad Birdie is the biggest thing to top the music charts. But what happens when he arrives in small town Sweet Apple Ohio for a publicity stunt?? Can a town of squares survive it's encounter with greaser bad boy Birdie? Featuring such classic songs as "Put on a Happy Face", "Kids" and "One Last Kiss", Bye, Bye, Birdie is a Rock 'N Roll song and dance extravaganza sure to 'razz your berries and have you flipping your lid! Directed by Ben Layman with music direction by Stephanie Colavito, the team behind last year's smash success. Les Miserables.

Session 2

The Man From Planet 52

For ages: 4-13

Session dates: July 29-August 18

Performance dates: August 15-18

When a spaceship containing an alien bounty hunter crashes in their town, can four regular kids help The Man from Planet 52 find and bring the evil Zontar to justice? Or will Zontars' alien zombie army get the upper hand and take over Earth?! The Man From Planet 52 is a hilarious and campy love letter to the B-Movie phenomenon of the 1950's. Directed by Ben Layman.

Rebel Without A Cause

For ages: 14-20

Session dates: July 29-Aug. 18

Performance dates: Aug. 15-18

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. Trouble finds Jim after he becomes close with the girlfriend of the towns infamous gang leader. Based on the classic film starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, Rebel Without A Cause features both stage combat and an electric conclusion with an onstage drag race. Rebel is both a touching drama and an exciting exploration into the juvenile delinquent sub culture of the 1950s. Directed by Penobscot Theatre Company Dramatic Academy teaching artist Dan Hanchrow. (A Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables)

Classes will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm (lunch, noon-1:00 pm, optional) for students aged 4-6; and 9:00 am-5:00 pm for students aged 7 and up. Tech Track will run daily Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Students may be dropped off as early as 8:30 am. A limited number of scholarships and teen counselor positions are available for each session. Scholarship and counselor applications may be obtained by emailing education@penobscottheatre.org and must be returned by May 1. An early bird discount is available for those who enroll before May 1. Penobscot Theatre Company Dramatic Academy summer programs are approved programs for families who qualify for a child care tax credit.

For more information and to register, visit www.penobscottheatre.org and click on the Education tab, or call the box office at 207-942-3333.

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