Mission Goal StatementThe Children's Entertainment Series (also known as CES) was formed to give children and teens a safe place to develop their creativity and talent in the performing arts.Unfortunately with our economy such as it is, the public school systems are continually loosing funding for the arts. A lot of youngsters no longer have this outlet and spend their time at the malls, on the phone, texting, on the computer, playing video games or watching TV.
In forming this theatre youth group, we are giving them a safe and creative environment, while teaching the inner workings of theatre, on stage as well as back stage and behind the scenes. It gives them the opportunity to run lights and sound, assisting in directing and working as part of the tech crew. This group helps these youngsters form lasting friendships with others who have the same passions and interests.
This group will be doing both musicals and non musicals. Directed, Musically Directed and Choreographed by experienced theatre adults. These adults are highly qualifed, with as much passion for the program as your children have.
Our February Show in 2009, will be directed by Lisa Gail Schwartz. Lisa was a graduate of The News York Scholl of Film And Television and has worked extensively in theatre, film and television in NYC and California. She was seen in "Ghost Whisperer," "Gilmore Girls," just to name two. For the past 2 Summer's (2007 & 2008), Lisa was a Counselor at the California Ronald McDonald Camp for special needs children. She has now come back to the East Coast, to go back to school for a degree in Drama Therapy, to help children with Cancer deal with their illness through theatre. Lisa has directed a few of our children's shows before and is the 2003 Perry Award Recipient of Best Featured Actress in a play. I am very proud of her as she is my daughter, but even if she wasn't, the Children's Entertainment Series is lucky to have her.
Ieasha Rodriguez will be directing our March and May 2009 shows. She has been our light technician and Stage Manager for our main stage productions of "I'm Not Rapport" and "The Importance Of Being Earnest." She was also Mary Bailey in our 2006 production of "It's A Wonderful Life." Ieasha was also in "Diamonds" and our "10th Anniversary Musical Revue." She recently finished filming a movie that will be making it's way through the various film festivals. Ieasha will be a tremendous asset to our program. She has worked with children in Summer camps for several years.
There is a tuition, which enables us to provide your youngster with this extremely extensive program. To be in our non musicals, the tuition is $100 and $150 for our musicals. If you have 2 children in the program, your second child will get a $25 discount off the tuition and if you have 3 or more children there will be a $50 discount off of their tuition.These fees include your child's script, tee shirt with the name of the show and art work pertaining to that production on the front and their name and their character they play on the back, a DVD of the show, two complimnetary tickets to the production and a CD to practice with (when the shows are musicals). Financial assistance is available if needed. We have just initiated a discounted parental subscription,allowing the parent to come see their child as many times as they would like for $35 a piece. If you buy 2 we will discount t the second for $30. Our ticket prices for a musical are remaining the same $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors & Students, with prepaid tickets costing $10 a piece. For our non musicals we have lowered the price to $14 for Adults and $11 for Seniors and Students with prepaid tickets costing $9 a piece.
Broadway Bound Players - The Newly Formed Teen Group In Conjunction With Performance With Passion PlayersWe have just started a new theatre company for teenagers. The youngsters must be at least 14 years old to join this group (with some exceptions). This group will perform stratight plays only (no musicals).
The Board of Directors for this newly formed group are Jack Babnew, Zach Caruso, Eric Hackler, Jennifer Iacobino, Kevin Karol, Sophia Lalli, Lucy McGrath, Givanna Robbins and Matthew Warshauer.
Every member must pay an annual dues of $10 when joining. Each member must participate in at least 2 productions a year, in any capacity (be it as an Actor or a Director or Techie), in order to remain a member in good standing. Anyone not participating in at least 2 productions a year will be asked to leave at the descretion of the Board. Every member must come to the general membership meetings which will be held three times a year.
The purpose of this group, is to give the teenagers the opportunity to direct, perform and or tech their own shows in our main stage time slot. This will enable them to be recognized by the New Jersey Association of Community Theatre Perry Awards, while taking their abilities to the next level. Debby Schwartz will be their advisor, who will be training them. She is a former professional Actor, extensively trained in NYC, at The New York Academy Of Theatrical Arts (a conservatory) and HB Studios.
This group will also have Scene Nights. On certain Sunday evenings these teens will be performing scenes and or monlogues for a coverage charge of $5 per person.
If you know a teenager who is interested, have them call Debby at 732 888-0339.
Children's Entertainment Series Shows
Sleeping Beauty - 1/10-2/1/09 - Directed By Samantha Tartaglione
Mountain Fever - 2/7-3/1/09 - A Comedy - Directed By Lisa Gail
Others To Be Announced