Diary of a Triple Threat Performer - Part Two

We at The Palace Theatre could go on and on about the talented students that participate in our Arts-Education programs.  We thought it was about time you hear about the experience directly from the source.  Brandon Wolfe is an 18 year old student from Stamford who participated in our Triple Threat program for a second time.  It wasn't easy, but with hard work and endless talent, the group put on a spectacular show for parents and friends to see!  

This is Part Two of a two part journal chronicling his time in the Triple Threat program.  Thank you Brandon, for sharing your experience!

Campers "break the mold" and rehearse for the big day!

Thursday, July 23 - SANCTUARY

Today was probably the best day this week! We finally got to put everything together and see how the show was going to go, and my thoughts were: not too shabby! We got to hear almost everyone’s prepared songs, but our teacher put a little twist on it. After he listened to each person individually, he gave each of us a different exercise to help our acting. Mine was push-ups (keep in mind I am not that strong and instead of 16 bars I did 32). It helped a lot, but I was pooped for the rest of the day.

Then, we finally put the body percussion together (WHICH I FINALLY GOT!!!). We added free styles and as I was volunteered by the others, (this happens a lot at Triple Threat) I remembered that I can’t dance but I could sing. I decided to sing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” since we were, in fact, making beats. It didn’t fit into the time frame so I decided to speed it up double time.

As some of you may remember, I have an alternate name for that song: “You Can’t Stop to Breathe.” So, doing it twice as fast was interesting. By that day we had all came out of our shells, so the energy was up and we were all ready for tomorrow.

But the biggest problem had to focus on for the rest of the night was…what am I going to wear for the show?!

Friday, July 24 - ESTOOO!!!

So, today is the day of the show and by now we are all ready. That’s the great thing about intensive programs; by the end of the week, you learn so much that by Friday, it’s like you have been training for months (I hope this is how college is). We have grown together quite nicely and I’m really going to miss all of them.

The start of the day was basically just a recap and warm up so I’m not going to waste time going into that. I’m going to tell you about what you really want to hear about; the show.

For starters, the amount of energy and the lack of anxiety were impressive. I still don’t know why I, of all people, was not scared because I’m scared of everything. We messed up quite a few times but Luis (our main teacher) managed to cover it up and made it look like it was all on purpose. He presented us like he was teaching it right before their eyes.

One of my favorite solos that day was “Defying Gravity” (Wicked) when she performed it on Tuesday her exercise was to have everyone in the room laugh at her and discourage her because she was singing it to her classmates who were mean to her and she had to sing it like she was proving them wrong (which she did amazingly). This time, the audience had to discourage her (which they did rather well…) and we had to stand behind her as her as she represented us. I felt the most connection to her having because I have a similar story and decided instead of just standing behind her, we should encourage her. The rest of the kids joined in and you could hear the difference in how powerful her voice was she was asked why did that song her response told us of how bullied and how everyone doubted her and as she graduated middle school she finally overcame and let her confidence shine. If I ever see her again, I just hope she keeps that spirit because it took me until senior year of high school to get where she is now.

P.S . if you are wondering what ESTOOO meant  here’s the story. Valeria, our body percussion teacher, was Italian with a very thick accent and every time we did something right she would yell out ESTOO and now all of us also yell ESTOOO.

Epilogue

One of the best quotes from this program that I will keep forever is, “There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.”  This overall was a great experience and I’m glad I got to do it. I like this quote because I often held back in fear I might outshine someone or be too much but because of it I always ended up falling short. I have learned that my light, talent energy or whatever you want to call it is powerful and there is no use holding it back.

Thank you to all of our camp participants for their hard work and dedication year after year!  We look forward to the fantastic talent coming to next year's Triple Threat!

Diary of a Triple Threat Performer - Part One

We at The Palace Theatre could go on and on about the talented students that participate in our Arts-Education programs.  We thought it was about time you hear about the experience directly from the source.  Brandon Wolfe is an 18 year old student from Stamford who participated in our Triple Threat program for a second time.  It wasn't easy, but with hard work and endless talent, the group put on a spectacular show for parents and friends to see!  

This is Part One of a two part journal chronicling his time in the Triple Threat program.  Stay tuned for Part Two tomorrow!

Brandon Wolfe, seen in a yellow shirt, at Triple Threat week

Monday, July 20 – THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME

The first day of Triple Threat was amazing. I must be honest, I had a little trouble keeping up in the body percussion class, but I’ll catch up. It was a lot different from when I did it two years ago. For starters, we did not split up by age group, but it gave us a chance to help the younger kids and meet even more people. These kids are very talented (they could probably give me a run for my money!), and I look forward to the rest of the week with them.

Tuesday, July 21 – TIME TO CRANK THIS UP

So, today was totally different from yesterday in many ways. We finally broke into groups, but not by age. Yesterday, we broke into groups while still together for a body percussion exercise. She gave us three different routines, and we split ourselves based on what routine we felt most comfortable with. Today, we took those groups and finally rotated between acting, singing and body percussion. 

I started off with acting and learned another poem, but mostly just got to learn about the people in my group better (my favorite part about small groups). Then, we went to body percussion practice. Remember how yesterday I said I would catch on to this body percussion thing?  I was wrong. We added on to the dance we did yesterday, and it took me over 30 minutes to learn a dance that took less than 30 seconds to do. (Imagine if I had to do a whole song).

Then we went to my favorite subject; singing. We got a chance to sing 16 bars which is around 30 seconds to a minute of a song we were supposed to prepare for Monday. I forgot my sheet music, but luckily the teacher knew the song (“Proud of your Boy” from Aladdin). My favorite song sung by someone other than myself was “Naughty” from Matilda, sung by one of the most adorable little girls I’ve ever seen. She performed the song with the British accent like the soundtrack and could totally be “Matilda” on Broadway.

After lunch, we focused more on singing, but the bulk of the afternoon went to dance. We learned “Fame” which went great for the program but not so great for me. All the moves were super balletic and me who has not done ballet since I was 6 (don’t ask me why it was not my choice) was not ready. This dance is probably the second hardest dance I have ever done (right after “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray which should have been called “You Can’t Stop to Breathe!”). However, I refuse to let a little dance slow me down, so I have a lot of practicing to do if I’m going to catch up.

Wednesday, July 22 - WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?!

As the days go by, this continues to get harder and harder. Those of you who are reading this may know about “hell week” (the week leading up to a performance where the director is scattered, everything is super busy and you stay really late 'til everything is done) and the stresses that go with it. Now, imagine a “hell week" where you not only have one week until the show, but the whole cast is brand new. As we get closer to the performance, the dances get harder, there is more to memorize and people become more distracted.  

So, today we started off with dancing and boy, was that something! We learned a new dance for a song (“96,000” from In the Heights) we had just learned that morning which is all still jumbled in my head. We finally put the final parts together for the body percussion, which I’m starting to get. 

After lunch, we went back to dance FOR THE NEXT 2 HOURS! It’s actually not hard to do two hours of dance, but when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed with a pain in your neck and a cold, it becomes a bit harder. We learned the rest of the dance to the song “Fame” from Fame which is so fast. The fact that I am 6’1" and I was 2 seconds from kicking someone in the face multiple times scares me. It was a very tough day today. 

Will Brandon make it through the week?
Tune in for Part Two tomorrow to find out!

How Your Contribution Will Help The Palace Theatre on Fairfield County Giving Day

How Your Contribution Will Help The Palace Theatre on Fairfield County Giving Day

Thursday, March 5 at 12 AM will begin the annual Fairfield County Giving Day, a 24 hour event in which our community comes together to donate as much as they can to Fairfield County Non-Profit Organizations in order to create new opportunities for all citizens of Fairfield County throughout the year. 

The Palace is participating and hopes to raise $10,000!

Here’s a few ways in which just $10 can go a long way at The Palace.

Students participating in The Palace Theatre's various educational programs

You will bring education to the next generation of great performance artists

The Palace offers children from low-income and disadvantaged families the chance to attend world-class entertainment on our stage through organized trips. For five years, The Palace has awarded an Emerging Young Artist Scholarship in a specific field of study, to ensure ALL children have chances to succeed.

Participants of the Triple Threat Program at The Palace Theatre

The Palace has already served thousands of disadvantaged youth in Fairfield County this year; from providing educational show tickets to low-income schools to providing full scholarships for deserving students to our transformative performing and education programs.

The Palace believes that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the performance arts.

STOMP visits Cloonan Middle School with an inspirational performance

The Palace also partners with local schools to offer exclusive performances and motivational talks. The experience of an up-close presentation and meaningful question and answer session provides children the opportunity to receive career advice from arts professionals and the encouragement to stay motivated. 

Thank you letters from students of Cloonan Middle School

Education = scholarships for greater success in higher learning

Noelia, student who participated in the Triple Threat Program

Watch Noelia’s inspiring story about her transformation through The Palace’s Triple Threat Program

Daniel, student who participated in the Triple Threat Program

Watch Daniel talk about how The Palace’s Triple Threat Program has helped him as a creative person

Your money helps all of Fairfield County

The Palace is a large, multi-faceted theatre, but did you know we are also a 50c3 not-for-profit organization? Box office receipts only cover a fraction of what it costs to keep our doors open. The Palace has been a beacon for the best live performance – music, comedy, dance and theatre – since its curtain first rose in 1927, and where world-class artists continue to reach the minds and hearts of every patron who enters its doors.

Our mission is to be the premier regional arts destination for exciting entertainment that also enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of our community. At this time of year, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us reach this goal.

Thank you for your support! DONATE HERE

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

GIVE THE GIFT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS!

As the longest running arts presenter in the area’s history, The Palace Theatre has been a beacon for the best in live entertainment since 1927. 

Almost every night of the week there’s something exciting happening here. Our dedicated fans enjoy mega-watt stars like Jay Leno and Jeff Dunham and hit shows like Earth, Wind and Fire and STOMP.

The Palace brings live new music to Stamford with Showcase 61, a hit series that showcases up-and-coming music artists in our hip UpStage space. 

Playtime at the Palace, a popular Sunday afternoon series for families, returns this winter with 10 lively, interactive shows. Plus, the Connecticut Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, coming up next weekend, is a longstanding holiday tradition at the Palace!

We are a large, multi-faceted theatre but did you know we are also a not-for-profit organization? Box office receipts only cover a fraction of what it costs to keep our doors open. 

Generous contributions from our audience and patrons make up the rest of the resources we need to bring you outstanding live entertainment.

YOUR donation is also a gift for aspiring young artists who rely on The Palace to provide them with TRANSFORMATIVE educational programs and performance opportunities that aren’t available in most public schools.

 

The Palace provides children from low-income families the chance to attend world-class entertainment on our stage through organized trips.

For five years we have awarded an Emerging Young Artist Scholarship to ensure the next generations of artists have the opportunity succeed. 


Our mission is to be the premier regional arts destination for exciting entertainment that also enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic and social life of our community.


We can’t do it without YOU! 

As you make your holiday list this year and check it twice, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to The Palace Theatre. We've made it very easy. All you need is your phone: text PALACE to 27722 to give $10 today!

Thank you for your support!

The Palace Announces 6th Annual Emerging Young Artist Scholarship Category; Expands Applications to Westchester County

Deadline for applications has been extended to March 23, 2015.

Last month, we announced the category for our 6th annual Emerging Young Artists Scholarship Award: Playwriting. Tiered scholarships, for which the grand prize is $2,000, will be awarded to Fairfield and Westchester County high school students in grades 9 through 12 for their writing of an original 15-minute, one act play. Works written by these finalists will be professionally produced this spring in our theatre, performed by professional actors. Scholarships will be awarded at our annual gala in May.

According to Americans for the Arts, a national membership and arts advocacy organization, researchers from University of Pennsylvania have shown that a high concentration of arts in cities leads to high civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates. “A vibrant arts community ensures that young people are not left to be raised solely in a pop culture and tabloid marketplace.”

For several years, The Palace Theatre has been investing in Stamford’s cultural relevance by nurturing its community of aspiring young performers. We uphold are mission to foster an understanding and lifelong appreciation for the arts in young people by offering them intensive education programs in theatre arts: singing, dancing, instrumental music, choreography, acting and playwrighting.

In Stamford Magazine’s most recent issue, 2 students who have participated in our programs, Ashish Ramachandran (Brunswick School) and Matt Sperrazza (Trinity Catholic High School) were profiled in “Generation Next,” a feature story about the magazine’s “Top Ten Teens to Watch.”
A third student, Aaron Bantum (Westhill High School), recently starred in Morgan Freeman’s upcoming film, Last Vegas, and continues to participate in our programs.

The category for these scholarship awards in 2014 was original music composition; in 2013 and 2012, vocals; in 2011 an 2010, instrumental music (jazz piano and violin).

These awards are just a part of the year-round arts education program we offer at 61 Atlantic Street for young adults in our community. Coming up, on Monday, December 15, our Young Playwrights Festival will present “Script to Stage,” a live, staged reading of an original 15-minute one-act play written by 12 students from two local high schools over a 10-week workshop. Last month, we hosted our 4th annual Young Choreographers Festival.

Young Playwrights Convene at The Palace on December 15

Intensive Arts-In-Education Program Encourages Students 

to Explore Creative Expression

The 2014 class of young playwrights, with guest teaching artist, Mathilde Dratwa. Photo by Lisa Barlow.

For at least four years, The Palace Theatre has served Stamford’s community of aspiring young artists as a sponsor and host of arts-in-education programs for kids, such as the Triple Threat Performer Intensive and the Young Choreographers Festival that was recently held at our venue. On Monday, December 15 at 7pm, our Young Playwrights Festival will present “Script to Stage,” a live, staged reading of an original 15-minute one-act play written by 12 students from two local high schools. 

The title of the play is "Glass Shards," written in collaboration by 12 young women who started the process with ensemble-building activities and journal writing.  After several drafts and revisions, the young women settled on a story of friendship despite the odds, and of the struggle for human connection even in difficult moments. They wrote every word, from the title to the last period. In the process, they learned about goals, obstacles, tactics and conflict as pillars of dramatic writing.

Jasmeen Lucero (L) and Marily Caicedo (R) rehearse "Glass Shards." Photo by Lisa Barlow.

“Script to Stage” is the culmination of 10 weekly sessions held this year at The Palace led by guest guest teaching artist, Mathilde Dratwa (New Victory Theatre, Roundabout Theatre). Once signed up, 9th through 12th grade students in the ALTA (Aspiring Leadership Through Action) program at Stamford High School and Westhill High School met every Saturday to collaborate on writing a play, deciding whether their work will be in English, Spanish or both, and if it should be a comedy, drama or musical.

The vision for the Young Playwrights Festival is to create a holistic environment that empowers the lives of these young performing artists by cultivating individual self-expression and nurturing their creativity and inner talents. During their time at The Palace with our visiting artist, students learned acting techniques to help them convey their stories. Literacy skills, diction, and self-esteem were also improved by reading written materials aloud for peer review. A free online program was used to introduce basic procedures of formatting a script.

At the end of the program, during which attendance each week is mandatory, students learned through discipline to observe and explore. High school students from our neighborhoods found and developed their own unique and personal creative voice. Join us on December 15 at The Palace to help these talented kids and their families celebrate their achievements.

The Young Playwrights Festival is made possible through a generous grant from Pitney Bowes. We'd also like to thank the Stamford Board of Education: Mike Meyer, Beryl Williams, Juan Pazmino and Douglas Fetchin, for giving us their students from the ALTA program.

Don’t Miss the 4th Annual Young Choreographers Festival - This weekend!

 

PalaceStamford.org

Looking to see some local dance talent? Join us Sunday, November 9th at 5pm for an evening of dance at the 4th Annual Young Choreographers Festival, “Voices & Visions.”

Through styles of Classical and Contemporary Ballet, Modern, Hip-Hop, Tap, Ethnic and Theatre Dance, aspiring, young choreographers will be able to present their original work to the general public, dance community, and family right here on the HARMAN stage.

The choreographers are between the ages of 13-18 years old and study dance at their schools and/or dance schools in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. They were involved in all aspects of the festival: choreography, auditioning dancers, choosing music, costumes, lighting and staging.

Our Young Choreographers Festival is one of our popular arts education programs, come see the different types of work from young dancers of various backgrounds and training!

For more information, please visit out website: http://bit.ly/1EoZtuC

Apply for the 4th Annual Young Choreographers Festival

 

PalaceStamford.org

Are you a young aspiring choreographer between the ages of 13 and 18? Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the 4th annual Young Choreographers Festival. This unique experience will allow young dancers to collaborate with experienced professionals and create an original piece that will be performed on the HARMAN Stage.

Find details below:

• The 4th Annual Young Choreographers Festival will take place on November 9th, 2014. 
• Applications are due Monday, September 15th, 2014. (Download the application here)
• Choreography in almost every genre are welcome. 
• Participants must attend the Master Class on Choreography on Sunday, September 21st, 2014. 
• Choreographer's fee is $85 and includes Master Class and two tickets to the Festival Performance.
• Per dancer fee is $50 and includes two tickets to the Festival Performance. 

For a complete list of details and criteria, please refer to the info sheet.

Are you ready to find your own creative voice? Submit your application today and get inspired with our Choreographers Suggested Guide to Creating a Piece.

Finding Your Inner Voice - A Master Class with David Friedman September 27th

 

PalaceStamford.org

Join us Saturday, September 27th for a life changing workshop, for singers and non-singers alike. Here, you’ll work with David Friedman to change your ability to sing and perform in front of people, while also learning to apply these principles to all areas of your life.

This class size is limited and is available to those 16 years and older, please contact Carol Bryan(cbryan@PalaceStamford.org) to register!

When: Saturday, September 27th 2014
Time: 3pm - 6pm, Reception following the class
Fee for Participants: $150 per person
Fee for Auditors: $60 per person

 

About David:
David Friedman is a film and theatre composer, songwriter, author, lyricist and conductor based in New York City. He received a 1997 Backstage Bistro Award for Composer of the Year and a 1997 Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriter of the Year and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th Annual MAC Awards. His Oratorio, King Island Christmas, won a Frederick Loewe Award and Dramatists Guild Award.

Triple Threat Performer Intensive Recap

PalaceStamford.org

Last week, young aspiring performers from the area joined us in our Triple Threat Performer Intensive. Students were able to study with seasoned Broadway professionals and teaching artists all week long to find their own creative voices. We’re proud to announce that 25 of the students were able to participate due to scholarships provided by First County Bank, Center Stage Dance Studio, and through the Robert N. Rich family.

"Everyone is so talented here to begin with and in the beginning it kind of made me feel overwhelmed, because I was like, Oh my gosh, everyone's so good at all this stuff.  But they taught me everything they know, or a lot of it, and that's helped me," - Greenwich High School student Willa Doss, via It's Relevant Stamford

Photo Credit: Richard Freed

Photo Credit: Richard Freed

Photo Credit: Richard Freed

Photo Credit: Richard Freed

Photo Credit: Richard Freed

COO of First County Bank Robert Granata and Tamara L. Ledwith, Vice President, Sales and Product Marketing Manager, pose with their 16 scholarship students. Photo Credit: Jen Powers

Photo Credit: Carol Bryan

We want to thank all of the budding young actors who participated last week!  The program will return next summer and to find out more about it, visit us on the web »