Theatre Institute Debbi Katz, Producing Director 472-3300, x302, E-mail: katzd@jccmw.org                                     About the Directors Traci Timmons, Theatre Institute Director, x226 E-mail: timmonst@jccmw.org

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Stars in Training	Theatre Training Program	Theatre Labs	Mitzvah Troupe
Advanced Theatre Workshop	Musical Theatre Workshops	Jr. Performance Troupe	Faculty

Calling all actors! Curtains go up on a wildly successful act at the Bendheim – the JCC Theatre Institute. An offspring of the Bendheim Performing Arts Center, the Theatre Institute offers tailored instruction, workshops and performance opportunities in theatre and musical theatre production to budding artists. Explore your thespian talents under the direction of a professional staff in our beautiful theatre! Our program provides a positive and nurturing place to grow for all actors who love theater.

2. Theatre Training Program – The heart of our actors’ training program. This is for the performer who wants to learn all there is to know about theatre.

3. NEW! Theatre Labs - Professional industry guests join us for one day intensives on various exciting topics. Anyone can join these fun labs which are offered free for students enrolled in our Theatre Training Program.

4.  Mitzvah Troupe - A select group of JCC Theatre students give back to the community by performing at various functions and community events.  Auditions required.
 

5. Musical Theatre Workshops – The opportunity for everyone to be involved in a musical theatre production. The show will be presented on our Bendheim stage for family and friends. Audition not required.

6. NEW!  Vacation Theatre Arts Camp - A one week intensive on all aspects of a musical theatre production, culminating in a show for family and friends. Audition not required.
 

7. Bendheim Jr. Performance Troupe -  An opportunity for the more serious actors and actresses to participate in a full-scale musical production seen by family, friends and members of the community. Audition required.

2009-2010 STARS IN TRAINING

Nursery Rhyme Theatre 
Ages 3 - 5 (see age requirements for each class)
Does your little one like to pretend and put on shows? If so, they will love acting out favorite nursery rhymes on our Bendheim stage. This class, designed for the pre-school student, introduces acting, characterization, and storytelling in a fun, nurturing, age appropriate environment. Kids will pretend, play, laugh and have fun. We will end the semester with a sharing of our work on our Bendheim Stage.
 

Wednesdays, 3:15 - 4:00pm
Students must be four by December 31, 2009	$345
Session I: September 16, 2009 - January 20, 2010	TA01F
(no class 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, 12/23, 12/30)
Session II: January 27 - May 26, 2010
(no class 2/17, 2/24, 3/31, 5/19)	TA01S
Kerri Lubell, Instructor
Thursdays,  1:00 - 1:45pm	$345
Students must be three by March 1, 2009
Session I: September 17, 2009 - January 14, 2010	TA02F
(no class 11/19, 11/26, 12/24, 12/31)
Session II: January 28 - May 27, 2010	TA02S
(no class 2/18, 2/25, 4/1, 5/20)
Kerri Lubell, Instructor
Thursdays,  3:15 - 4:00pm	$345
Students must be four by December 31, 2009
Session I: September 17, 2009 - January 14, 2010	TA03F
(no class 11/19, 11/26, 12/24, 12/31)
Session II: January 28 - May 27, 2010	TA03S
(no class 2/18, 2/25, 4/1, 5/20)
Rylee Card, Instructor

Fables and Fairytales 
Grades K -1
This class will bring several well known stories to life, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Lion and the Mouse. Children will develop basic acting techniques through improvisation, pantomime and characterization, while gaining confidence and learning to express themselves physically, vocally and emotionally. They will have an opportunity to share their work during their last class on our Bendheim stage for friends and family. 1st graders are eligible for priority registration in Musical Theatre workshops.
 

THEATRE FOR 2ND AND 3RD GRADERS
Join us in exploring the magic of theatre. This class will discover improvisation, musical theatre and acting technique through games, theatrical exercises and texts and music from well known shows. We learn the skills necessary to become vital members of a theatre ensemble and share our work successfully at the end of each semester on our Bendheim stage. Students are eligible for priority registration for our Musical Theatre Workshops and can take both of the semester’s NEW theatre labs FREE!

ACTING I
Grades 4 -6
Join this introduction to the wonder of theatre! We will explore all disciplines: including but not limited to improvisation, auditioning, acting technique and musical theatre. Students use materials from well-known musicals and plays to hone their skills. New material is continuously introduced, so students taking this class more than once can continue to stretch and grow.  We will share our work at the end of the semester on our Bendheim stage. Students are eligible for priority registration for our Musical Theatre Workshops and can take both of the semester’s NEW theatre labs FREE!

ACTING II
This class is designed for the more experienced actor. Students will sharpen their skills in many theatrical disciplines: including but not limited to auditioning, monologues, scene study and musical theatre. Every student will learn a polished monologue and song, in addition to exploring other scenes and improv.  New material from plays, both modern and classic, as well as musicals are continuously introduced, so students are encouraged to take this class more than once to continue to stretch and grow. This class will share their work at the end of the semester on our Bendheim Stage. Students are eligible for priority registration for our Musical Theatre Workshops and can
take both of the semester’s NEW theatre labs FREE!

Prerequisite: Students must be invited to be in this class or contact Traci Timmons at x226 for a placement audition.

ACTING III  NEW!
Grades 7-12
We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity for our older students to be a part of a master class designed by the only man in the world to play Jean Valjean, The Phantom, AND Jekyll & Hyde! Students develop and sharpen technique using vocal and physical warm-ups and improvisation exercises. Famed Broadway, TV and opera star Craig Schulman offers a professional critique of each performer’s work so we learn to think quickly, be spontaneous, and make strong dramatic choices to bring a song from a nicely sung presentation to a well thought-out performance. Our final concert for an audience of our peers and guests will showcase individual numbers and a group performance WITH MR. SCHULMAN. Each group is limited to eight participants. Students can take both of the semester's NEW theatre labs FREE!

2009-10 THEATRE LABS  NEW!

BROADWAY MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITIONS
This intensive one day lab will focus on the musical theater audition. Students enrolled in a Fall class in the Theatre Training Program can take this lab FREE! Pre-registration required.

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE & THE CLASSICS
This intensive one day lab will focus on the classics Join us for scene study and monologue work…Students enrolled in a Fall class in the Theatre Training Program can take this FREE! Preregistration required.

AUDITIONING AND ACTING ON CAMERA
This one day lab will prepare students for auditioning and acting on camera.…Students enrolled in a Spring class in the Theatre Training Program can take this FREE! Pre-registration required.

THE ART OF THEATRE: MAKE-UP AND MASQUES
This hands-on one day lab will teach students all about stage make up and the art of theatre production…Students enrolled in a Spring class in the Theatre Training Program can take this FREE! Pre-registration required.

MITZVAH TROUPE
Grades 5 and up
JCC kids give back to our community through song and good deeds. This Troupe will have a repertoire of performance material to share at various functions and have an opportunity to record a demo in a professional recording studio.  Previous “gigs” have included Madison Square Garden, the Intrepid, various Nursing Homes and our own Bendheim Theatre. Some of Broadway's hottest stars along with music industry professional work with the troupe.  Audition and interview required. Students will be placed in the Ensemble or Solo Group. Applicable toward community service and/or Bar and Bat Mitzvah requirements.

2009-10 ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
Thirteen the Musical
*Grades six +

Description:
Advanced Musical Theater Workshop only for students who have participated in our programming at the JCC.

Registration:
You must register NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 4th. Please read all the schedule information carefully before submitting your request by clicking the blue starburst below saying “register online now”. Please do not try to register at the desk until after you are contacted by Debbi, they will not accept your registration without her prior approval. Once you have followed the steps above, you have secured your place in the queue and there is nothing more to do. Please be aware that you are not guaranteed a spot until your child’s eligibility is confirmed. You will be given a deadline to register at that time before your spot will be offered to someone on the waiting list. There is no audition required to be in this workshop. There will be an audition process in the first class so that we can cast the show. The first 24 eligible students to submit a registration request will be able to join us. We will start a waiting list once 24 spots are filled.

Eligibility* :
Students in sixth grade – eleventh grade who have participated in our programs may participate. If you are a fifth grader and have been a part of Mitzvah troupe and/ or the Bendheim Junior Performance Troupe, you may also request Debbi’s permission to join the workshop.

*** In order to fill certain casting roles appropriately, we might invite actors outside the program *****

You must be available for all rehearsals to participate. DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE CONFLICT!!!

Auditions:
Will be during the first meeting on Thursday March 4th. Come dressed to move and prepared to sing any song from the Musical “13” (Suggested: Girls “What It Means To Be a Friend” Boys: “Becoming a Man”) By registering for this workshop, you understand that each student will be cast in the best possible role for them within the ensemble. Also, that the workshops are specifically designed for each student to have their moment to shine.

Rehearsal Period:

Mandatory Tech Rehearsals: 

Performance Date:
Wednesday April 21st at 7pm (actors call 5:00pm)
*** Saturday night show may be added***

Price:
$400
Please note the JCC charges an annual registration fee only once during any fiscal year (June ’09 – June ‘-10) regardless of the number of programs involved.
$40 for individuals of any age, $75 for Families

Ticket Prices:
$10

More Information:
Please contact Debra Katz at 914-472-3300 x 302

We constantly update our website throughout the process: www.thebendheim.org

Staff:

2009-10 MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPS
Annie & Cinderella (Grades 1-2, 3-7)       
This is a terrific opportunity for budding performers to be cast in an exciting musical production with no formal audition process. The first 20 children to sign up in each group will be part of this journey. They will learn about how theatre works first hand through the process of putting on a production. The final performance will take place on our Bendheim stage.

(NOTE:  Tuesday Workshops Now Meet Later in the Afternoon)

1. There is no audition required to be in this workshop. There will be an audition process in the first class so that we can cast the show. (Once open registration starts, new students may be asked to meet with us for an audition/interview)
    
2. The key to this workshop is for all students to have a fun learning experience. The script will be tailored so that each student in each group has enough to do to be challenged and stretched, but not more than they can handle.
    
3. A detailed schedule for each group is listed below. DO NOT REGISTER FOR ANY WORKSHOP where you have more than ONE conflict. With such a limited amount of rehearsal time, we cannot work around more than one absence. We will try to avoid this, but even that one absence may result in not being able to be a part of the scene(s) and/or musical number(s) being worked on that day. THERE CAN BE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFLICTS ON ANY MANDATORY DATES. Thank you for your understanding of this and if this won’t work out for your child, hopefully we will have another opportunity to work them in the future. 

We look forward to working with you and your children!

Annie Group A     Grades 1-2 Registration Closed	Kerri Lubell, Director
Saturdays, 1:00 - 3:00pm        December 5 - February 27  (no class 12/19, 12/26, 1/2, 2/13, 2/20)	$400
Dress Rehearsal:  Tuesday, March 2      4:00 - 6:00pm	TA18S
Dress Tech:  Wednesday, March 3     4:00 - 6:00pm Saturday, March 6    100 - 3:00pm
Show:  Sunday, March  7      1:00pm call for 2:00pm show
MANDATORY DATES:  12/5, 2/27, 3/2, 3/3, 3/6 & 3/7
Annie Group B    Grades 1-2 Registration Closed	Kerri Lubell, Director

Annie Group C     Grades 3-7 Registration Closed	Traci Timmons, Director
Saturdays 3:30 – 5:30pm    December 5 – February 27 (no class 12/19, 12/26, 1/2, 2/13, 2/20)	$400
Dress Rehearsal:  Tuesday, March 2   6:00 – 8:00pm	TA20S
Dress Tech:  Wednesday, March 3 6:00 – 8:00pm Saturday,  March 6 3:30 – 5:30pm
Show:  Sunday, March 7      4:00pm call for 6:00pm show
MANDATORY DATES:  12/5, 2/27, 3/2, 3/3, 3/6 & 3/7

2009- 2010 BENDHEIM JR. PERFORMANCE TROUPE
Satisfy that acting bug by auditioning for our Junior Performance Troupe. Past shows have included FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SEUSSICAL, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, WILLY WONKA and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS on our very own Bendheim Performing Arts Center stage. We will put on a fabulous production with wonderful costumes and sets that will be viewed by family, friends and members of the community.

Auditions are required.
Debra Katz, Director.

Check back for our shows for the 2010/11 Season!

Past Performances Include:

Once Upon a Mattress - November 2009
Willy Wonka Jr.  - December 2008
High School Musical - July 2008
Alice in Wonderland, Jr. -  December 2007
Seussical Jr. - July 2007
Fiddler on the Roof Jr.  – December 2006
Annie Jr.  – Summer/ July  2006
Aladdin Jr.  – December 2005
Cinderella  - Summer/ August  2005

Faculty

Jonathan Cahr (Mitzvah Troupe Director) is a keyboardist, singer songwriter, musical director and teacher with over twenty years of choral arranging for shows, plays and his own children’s recordings. Jonathan’s career spans Broadway, television and radio. He has toured nationally as an actor and singer for the past 2 decades. As a songwriter and vocalist his upbeat original Jewish/American music is known and loved by families, schools and organizations worldwide. His band “What’s up?” is scheduled to release their first CD in the Fall of ’09.

Rylee Card is a professional singer, dancer, actress and theatre teacher who has worked professionally throughout the tri-state area. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and has studied at the School of Creative Arts in Sydney, Australia, and locally at The King Centre for the Performing Arts, Broadway Dance Center, and School of Dramatic Arts. She introduced the “Show Time” program in Nyack, NY and is very excited to join our team this year!

Laura Kramer has been teaching acting for fifteen years as the repertory theater director in Daniel Webster Magnet School as well as for SAC, and The Children’s Jewish Education Group. She is a corporate trainer for Balancing Life’s Issues. She formerly taught public speaking for Mercy College, including their Rehabilitation through the Arts program at Sing Sing Correctional facility. As a founding member of the theater company Logodaedaly, she co- produced ten full length plays. She is a member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA.

Jorge Lopez has been a favorite of kids at the JCC for three years, working closely with our teachers and directors and mentoring our students. Jorge has had a love for the arts and working with young people since he was a camp counselor and tutor at Port Chester High School. He has an Associate’s degree in Communications and Media Arts from Westchester Community College. He has performed in many area theatres, including as Willy Wonka and Horton the Elephant on our own Bendheim stage.

Kerri Lubell is a graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Art. She is an Equity actress who has appeared at the Public Theatre, the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, the Kitchen and many other off-Broadway venues. Favorite regional roles included Helen in “The Miracle Worker,” Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof,” Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” and Hermia in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” She was fortunate to travel to Florence, Italy with the Williamstown Summer Theatre’s Obie award winning production. Kerri teaches drama, dance, art and music for ages two through senior citizens.

Craig Schulman is the only actor in the world to have portrayed three of the greatest musical theatre roles: the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom Of The Opera; Jean Valjean in Les Miserables; and the title roles in Jekyll & Hyde. He has also played Che in Evita, Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof, and many other lead roles on Broadway, TV and the opera. He is the creator and producer of the BROADWAY NIGHTS™ symphony concert series and performs three solo concert programs.

About the Producing Director, Debbi Katz
Debra Katz has been performing, directing and teaching for many years in all levels of theatre; community and pro. She holds a Masters in Education and is an Actors Equity Member. Her experience spans Broadway, television, and studio recording. She has performed with various theatre companies throughout the tri-state area and abroad. Her favorite roles include Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls”, Beauty in “Beauty and the Beast” and Peter in “Peter Pan” among others. Debra is happy to call the JCC her creative home.

Traci Timmons, Theatre Institute Director
Traci Timmons has worked extensively as a professional actor, singer, teacher, director, producer and theatre administrator for many years. She is a graduate of the Northwest Actors Studio Conservatory Program where she later taught acting and served as Program Director. She has performed and taught extensively throughout Westchester and New York City.