At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

I have to tell you about last Tuesday. It was a completely awesome evening! Margie and Erica and Omar and I went to the Kirby in Wilkes-Barre to attend the 2006 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania. Now, I have to tell you, I was pretty whiny before we went. I was feeling sorry for myself. Instead of being able to go home on Tuesday night and curl up in a chair and read (with a Jack tucked snugly on each side) I was having to make my way to the Kirby and watch what I thought would be some pretty dry stuff.

We were going to see Brooks Eldredge-Martin be awarded the Outstanding Leadership and Service in the Arts Award for the Bradford County Regional Arts Council. For those of you who have never had the honor of meeting Brooks, let me tell you - - he is a great man. In my mind he revolutionized the concept of the small-town non-profit theater which uses its profits to support art and culture. He is the model we used for setting up the Dietrich. He is the reason we have two theaters inside the Dietrich and not one (which would have been a deadly mistake).

When we started out he answered endless questions for us while running seven theaters and bringing the arts into Bradford and the surrounding counties. We consider him to be one of the most important people in the development of the Dietrich and Cultural Center and we were so happy to see him take such a prestigious award. To tell you just how prestigious these awards are, in the entire state there were five given this year. And Brooks and BCRAC took one of them! Wow!

That night I had an epiphany. Simple as that. Once again it was brought home to me something I had nearly forgotten - - how important the arts are to the mind and spirit of the human enigma. Sometimes, in a small town, you can hear the criticisms as a drum beat that weigh heavily on your heart. Sometimes I felt that my life was now spent in frivolity rather than the important work of seeing that children had food and warm clothing.

But that night, when I saw the wondrous things people have accomplished with their dedication to the arts, it was like drinking at a fountain of energy and light. I came away understanding that the arts are what feed our spirits and that the classes we provide to children who can’t afford them otherwise are as important to their developing spirits as food and clothing is to their young bodies.

I had been hesitant before to ask for money for the lot next door. I don’t feel like that anymore. The only way the Dietrich can continue to grow and expand to meet the needs of all those children is to have the space to do so. We’ve been hammered with criticisms of the price we paid for the lot. (We’ve been there before - - we heard the same thing when we bought the theater eight years ago.) To that I say, the buyer doesn’t set the price. Simple as that. And we needed a piece of property that directly adjoined the theater so the new screens will be part of this building. We don’t want to have to double the staff - - just the services.

Before we can expand our space and add classes (our classes are overflowing and many children have to be turned away) we need to pay for the lot. We’re nearly half-way there, but we need to go the rest of the way. Please help us. If you believe in the Dietrich and the town, then you know you will have made a wise investment with your charity dollars. We have always used your money carefully, knowing that you have worked hard for it and understanding that we owe you a great debt for your generosity.

We will do the same this time. As far as the adjoining lot costing what it did, the lot on the other side was $550,000.00. So, looked at that way, we got a real bargain. And we’ll make it beautiful. (But then, you knew that.)

At the Governor’s Awards night, one of the recipients talked of her dedication to the arts and quoted from a poem by Langston Hughes. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it explode….does it explode?”

We need to help the children realize their dreams. All of us. Please help.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Last week, the Dietrich was overrun with little aliens during our 2006: A Space Odyssey: Theater and Visual Arts Camp. Campers between the ages of 5 -12 had a great time learning about outer space under the direction of Amy Colley and Michaela Moore of All About Theatre. The group made clay aliens, space packs, costumes, and as a group project, they even made a spaceship. Michaela said they were super theatrical! They couldn’t wait to hop onto the stage in our Evans Theater. The children had creative storylines for plays and had an excellent time doing Improv Theater. We look forward to the next theater and visual arts camp in August!

Also last week, a few of the Dietrich staff went to the 2006 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. What is so nice about this awards ceremony is that they change its location each year. The main reason we went was to support and congratulate the Bradford County Regional Arts Council (BCRAC) on the award they received for Outstanding Leadership & Service in Arts in Education. This is pretty momentous in the arts community because they are the first rural arts organization to receive this award. The BCRAC has been a mentor to us even before the Dietrich opened and we appreciate the working relationship we have with them now. Besides being an awards ceremony, it was also a true night of entertainment. The Philadelphia based gospel group, The Dixie Hummingbirds, performed a few lively numbers. The group has been around for seventy-five years. They were spectacular! We all would love to see them perform on the Dietrich stage. We also heard a couple of poems recited by the Pennsylvania Champion of the National Poetry Out Loud Competition, Chris Estevez of West Scranton High School. His delivery of the poetry was so exquisite; I for one have a new appreciation of the art. It was a delightful evening and we all left feeling encouraged about the positive impact the arts have in communities.

Oh, and I wanted to tell you about a great opportunity for all of those film makers out there! So dust off your cameras and start creating a short film for the Endless Mountains Digital Film Festival. This will be a fun contest to showcase your creative spirit in the digital arts! There will be a Junior Festival category for ages 17 and younger and adult category for ages 18 and older. The Dietrich as well as the Sayre, Keystone and Rialto theaters will host the festival. The Bradford County Regional Arts Council must receive submissions by July 28th at 4:00 pm. For entry guidelines and submission forms contact the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500.

Oh, and just a reminder, there is still time to sign up for the Dance Workshops offered at the Dietrich in July!

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

All About Drawing Camp, ages 8 -12.

Using the artwork in award winning children's books as examples, students will learn about basic concepts of drawing including Line, Shape, Texture, Value, Color and Space.

Monday - Friday, July 10 - 14 from 10:00 - 11:30 am.

Cost: $50 all materials provided.

Instructors: Amy & Steve Colley

Beginner Dance, ages 5 -12

Experience various types of dance - ballet, hip-hop and jazz. Great for beginners or if you have already danced. Students are asked to wear shorts, T-shorts and socks. Call 996-1500 to register.

Wednesday -Friday, July 5, 6,7. Ages 5 - 7: 10:30 - 11:30 am. Ages 8 -12: noon - 1:00 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Judy Weist, The Stage Door Dance Studio

Decorative Painting, ages 13 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Each project will be completed within one to two classes. All levels of experience welcome.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm through August 31.

Cost: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface. Preregistration required.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Everhart Explorations

Students will learn about dinosaurs, birds, and Africa and art over those weeks.

Mondays, July 10, 17, 24, 31. Ages 5 - 8: 10:00 - 11:00 am. Ages 9 - 12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Beasts: Theater & Visual Arts Camp

This camp is all about ancient gods, wonderful tales and fantastical beasts. Children enrolled will learn about all sorts of cultures and myths and use that knowledge to create wonderful dramatic and visual works of art! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 7 - 11 from 10:00 am - noon.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages

"Seascape Quilt" - This project is designed to challenge students to construct variations of the classic sailboat pattern and explore fabrics that create special effects.

Wednesdays through July 26 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Introduction to Acting Camp, ages 6 -11

A fun and creative introduction to all that acting is!

Monday - Friday, July 31 - August 4 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

Admission is $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre.

Introduction to Dance, ages 2 - 4

Join us for an introduction to dance with movement and rhythm. Call 996-1500 to register.

Wednesday - Friday, July 5, 6, 7 from 9:00 - 10:00 am

Admission is free.

Instructor: Judy Weist, The Stage Door Dance Studio

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and medium of their choice with instructor Steve Colley. A model will be provided for an additional fee if the group chooses.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Series 4 - July 11, 18, 25, August 1. Series 5 - August 8, 15, 22, 29.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building and sculpture techniques.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Series 4 - July 10, 17, 24, 31. Series 5 - August 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Preschool Art - Summer

Preschool students will be introduced to a famous artist each week as they explore a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc.

Thursdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Cost: $25 for each series of 4 classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley, M.F.A.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Sail Away" - Our easy Just for Kids sailboat pattern will ensure a smooth sailing experience for young quilters.

Wednesdays through July 26 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Gloria Eastwood, Terri Keller, Mary Louise Dodge

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meeting are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Instructors: Melissa Russo & Mary Frances Giordano: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructors