The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater’s hot summer season of affordable entertainment rolls on with a partnership with Westinghouse High School, Homewood Children’s Village and NBC/ iTheatrics to present “FAME JR., Westinghouse High School’s first theatrical production in 10 years.
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THE FAME CAST (Photos by J.L. Martello)
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“It’s been a dream of mine to do a musical at Westinghouse because it can be a formative change for students,” said Richard “Muzz” Meyers, Community in Schools Coordinator at Westinghouse High School.” Our challenge at Westinghouse is to get the kids to look at their talent and look at themselves differently so they can achieve differently.”
Playing Shlomo in “Fame, Jr.” gave Westinghouse Senior Michael Anderson the chance to conquer his stage fright.
“I said why not try it? I really liked doing it because I love music and I am a dancer and I believe music is the key to success,” Anderson said.
Westinghouse was one of 20 schools chosen through a national selection process to participate in NBC’s “Smash: Make A Musical” contest, which is designed to build self-sustainable musical theater programs in schools. It is the first initiative to be implemented under the umbrella of the Kelly-Strayhorn Legacy Project.
The Kelly-Strayhorn Legacy Project is designed to advance performing arts in East End schools by providing performance space at no charge. To prepare for the production, students rehearse at the Alloy Theater and take master classes in provocation and dance.
“We came such a long way and we stepped out of our comfort zones and we went for it. I think we did a really good job,” said Westinghouse senior Katisha Correll who played the Dyslexic Roxy in “FAME, JR.”
“This was important to us because Billy Strayhorn went to Westinghouse and wrote his first song there. We feel responsible to keep his art alive,” said Dan Derks, Kelly-Strayhorn education director. “It takes a lot of nerve being a kid and doing things 100 percent. This whole thing came together with a lot of community support.”
Recent Westinghhouse graduate Camille Grady said playing the role of Serena in “Fame Jr.,” has led her to major in acting once she chooses a college to attend.
“My director said the part of Serena was the perfect part for me. She was right. It was the perfect part for me,” Grady said.
Her mother and aunt are proud that Camille decided to be a part of the production.
“My daughter is great! When she’s on stage she does what she has to do and she makes the show,” gushed her mother, Debbie Grady.
In addition to the Westinghouse “Fame, Jr.” performance, the East Liberty Live! Summer series offers a plethora of events designed to entertain, engage and educate.
“Our goal is to have programs happening in East Liberty all summer long. Patrons experience high-caliber performances that are just $10 each. We want our space to attract people to the neighborhood to support the arts and contribute to the growth of the community. East Liberty Live! really brings the community together,” said Kelly-Strayhorn Executive Director, Janera Solomon.
“Lostwax”, a work in progress explores the dynamic relationship of live performers to the saturated image world of digital culture and the human imagination was June 22.
idiosynCRAZY Productions uses movement in a mighty way in “Private Places,” a work in progress. It is inspired by emotional management demand placed on flight attendants. “Private Places” ran, June 26, 28 and 29.
Cork City, Ireland native Luke Murphy will be presenting “Drenched” which focuses on the layers of information we subconsciously take in about our romances and the expectations we don’t realize we create for ourselves and how we navigate relationships. “Drenched” can be seen July 6 at 8 p.m.
Mama Kadiatou will be sharing the rich percussive rhythms of Africa July 13 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and July 14 at 11 a.m.
July 18 and 19, audiences will be treated to a two-day dance intensive: “Ineffable, Intangible, Sensational” presented by Miguel Gutierrez. The two-day workshop examines Gutierrez’s approach to movement and improvisation. It will include a collaboration between Gutierrez and Philadelphia-based choreographer Kate Watson-Wallace.
Watson-Wallace continues her year-long legacy developing her new work, “Mash Up Body.” in place of a public performance, she will participate in an artist talk July 19 Gutierrez, her mentor.
Get ready to get lifted with a gospel explosion concert, which will showcase some of Pittsburgh’s best and brightest gospel singers and musicians July 21 at 8 p.m.
August opens with Reenah Golden’s presentation of “No Child’s” funny and buoyant tale that traces the life of a young Bronx teaching artist who inspires a group of underachieving 10th graders to put on a play.
Pittsburgh’s youth take center stage Aug. 10 with the youthMoves initiative, which gives local youth dance programs the opportunity to showcase their work.
Staycee Pearl dance project presents “On Being” Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.. Staycee Pearl dance project interprets and mirrors culture and community, while experimenting with innovative conceptual possibilities.
East Libery Live! summer series ends on a high note with Nora Chipaumire’s choreographed work “Miriam.” Chipaumire’s first character-driven piece that looks at the tensions women face between public expectations and prive desires.
East Liberty Live! is sponsored in part by PNC Bank, Petsmart, The Mosites Company, East Liberty Development, Inc. and 91.3 FM WYEP.
(To purchase tickets to any of the Kelly-Strayhorn summer programming, please visit www.kelly-strayhorn.org or call 1-800-838-3006.)
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