2nd Zakarak Performing Arts Convention Set for This Weekend

Delaware County based Zakarak Productions, Inc. announces the 2nd annual Zakarak Performing Arts Convention (ZAK-PAC) this weekend, October 18 and 19 at Germantown Academy, 340 Morris Road, Fort Washington, PA.

ZAK-PAC is a weekend-long theatre training program for 6 - 12th graders. Students take classes in Drama, Music and Dance with Broadway performers, instructors from top Universities, Regional Theatre actors and TV stars. Private coaching is also available.

Julianna Schauerman, President and Founder of Zakarak Productions says, "As a former dancer and choreographer, I know that there are many of these training programs and competitions in the dance world, but not many in the theatre world. Last year's ZAK-PAC was a huge success and the talent blew us away. We realized how important a program like this can be for young people and are thrilled that ZAK-PAC can continue for a second year."

Featured Guest, Monica Horan, is from Aldan, PA, and was made famous for her role as Amy on Everybody Loves Raymond. She is an Ambassador of ZAK-PAC and participates in this year's Opening Q&A and will also teach an Improv class. She adds, "I have seen the impact theatre can have on young people and it is a privilege to support ZAK-PAC and the talented, loving people who bring it together." Horan and her husband, Philip Rosenthal, are also the founders of The Flourish Foundation www.theflourishfoundation.org which provides grants, scholarships and mentoring in arts and education programs for underrepresented middle and high school students in Los Angeles.

Other featured guests and teachers include:

• Kiira Schmidt, who has numerous Broadway credits to her name and is the former Associate Choreographer for NBC's SMASH.
• Michelle Kittrell, who performed in eight Broadway shows and is now a talent manager in New York City. Her clients have appeared in Kinky Boots, Motown and You Can't Take It With You.
• Teachers include local professionals Neill Hartley, Peter Rios, Susan Riley Stevens, Marcus Stevens and others.

As part of the curriculum, students will audition in front of a professional panel of jurors to receive feedback on monologues, songs and/or dances. A prize of professional headshots will be awarded to the top contender in each category. The grand prize winner will spend a day with a Philly professional at work and win tickets to see them in a show.

A fee of $300 for the weekend-long program includes five classes, a competition slot and all general sessions including the Opening, the Masters Q&A and the Wrap-up and Finale Showcase Event.

Wallingford, PA based Zakarak Productions has been a leading producer of high-quality public entertainment and major events since 1998. Their work has been produced by some of America's largest corporations including TD/Commerce Bank, Johnson & Johnson, Aramark and ToysRUs. They have produced two of Michael Ogborn's musicals - the original musical Hootenanny Hoedown in 2012, and Baby Case at the 2012 New York Music Theatre Festival.

For more information or to register for ZAK-PAC visit www.zakarakconventions.com.

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