At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. We have another goodie for you this week. The incredibly (and wonderfully) silly Will Ferrel is bringing us another unforgettable character to make us laugh. This time he’s an Olympic skater going for the gold in Blades of Glory. This is a sure-fire fun movie and if you want a good laugh with no strings attached, come join Will in two hours of total silliness. We continue with The Last Mimzy, which is superior fare for young ‘uns.

And that’s all the time I’m going to spend this week on the movies. Because I need to tell you about last Saturday morning and the play the After School Players put on in the Evans. It was called Yee Haw and was a tribute to the old Hee Haw series. The theater was packed – standing room only – to see thirty-two kids sing and dance and tell corny jokes and , well, just take our breath away.

First, let me explain how After School Players works. Unlike most school or community plays, there are no tryouts. If you want to be a player, all you have to do is show up. No child is turned away. Ever. So the incredible Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning work with whoever comes through the door. And through their gentle tutelage, each child develops at their own speed, and becomes the absolute best they can be.

And the best these kids could be was nothing short of thrilling! They told their jokes with pizzaz. They sang with gusto. And, thanks to Judy Weist (Stage Door Dance Studio) they danced up a storm! And then there was Katie Bower, young student teacher form Keystone who, because she is a music major, taught the kids how to do a real jug band – washboards, spoons and all.

That packed theater, those talented wonderful kids, the dedicated adults who worked so hard – they were every dream we ever had when we were working on bringing the Dietrich back. It was just a wondrous morning. (Did I mention this was underwritten by Procter and Gamble? Well, it was, bless their hearts.)

And every, every child was superb. Every one. Of course, there are always “stars” in any stage company and this time was no exception. Thirteen year old Gavin D’Ulisse knocked the audience dead when he sang “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” followed by “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and then, went on to tell the tale of Cinderella in a convoluted way so funny and so clever that people cheered and whistled at the end! Oh, yeah, then there was ten year old Morgan Dodge who belted out Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again” with her twenty-year old voice! (Far out!) And let’s not forget Danny Sohns on the spoons! Yeah – on the spoons! What fun!

Thank you Carl and Patti and Judy and Katie for not only giving these children wings, but teaching them how to fly. They will hold the applause in their hearts for as long as they live. It was an utterly thrilling morning which would not have been possible without the vision and hard work of our dear, dear Margie and Erica. They do God’s work. They really do.

So here are the names of our Dietrich thespians. How dear they are to us! April Brady, Emma Buttke, Cece Cronin, Morgan Dodge, Gavin D’ullisse, Shaina Dziki, Lisa Forba, Sarah Gardener, Hannah Kelly, Katie Kolodzieski, Sisle Maruzzelli, Dakota Moore, Sarah Pharr, Christa Porasky, James Proulx, Rachel Reichle, Brian Sanger, Daniel Sohns, Billy Spickerman, Samantha Stare, Kandis Venn, Kelsey Van Horn, Spencer Van Horn, Mackenzie Van Horn, Mandi Wildonger, Victoria Willaims, Reba Moore, Meredith Walsh, and as the baby piggies – Lauren, Lindsey and Sarah Dodge and Erin Kelly.

Bless you, dear children, you have, as my Irish grandmother would have said, warmed the cockles of our hearts.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

We had a great time discussing “The Heroine’s Journey in Literature and Film” with Dr. Philip Mosley last Wednesday night at the Dietrich. What I found to be so interesting was that Philip’s wife Shu Ching Mosley read “Gone with the Wind” in Chinese many years ago and saw the film in English with Chinese subtitles. (Talk about a novel and movie with wide spread appeal!) We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Humanities Council for making this project possible. We also look forward to next year’s project.

Last Saturday was our After School Players’ performance of “Yee Haw: A Tribute to Hee Haw”. It was charming to see all of those talented Middle and High School students perform for such a large audience at the Dietrich. It doesn’t seem too long ago that the group all gathered for their first day of practice in January. Their performance was wonderful-I loved all the dancing singing and jokes! We’d like to thank Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children’s Theatre and Judy Weist of Stage Door Dance Studio for all of the work they put into making this production possible.

Tomorrow, Thursday, March 29th at 1:30 pm, we would like to invite you and your little ones to come out for a fantastic afternoon of puppets, dancing and music with Tom Knight. Join us for his show, which includes a collection of songs and skits for children of all ages – about animals, the environment, food and books. Favorites include “Alligator Jump”, “The Garbage Monster”, and “Henry the Magician”. Admission is free.

We also have an excellent opportunity coming up for students and adults interested in making digital films. We will be lucky enough to have Rand Whipple of Box of Light Theatre as an artist-in-residence at the Dietrich for ten weeks of Digital Film Making. Some of you may have taken Digital Arts Camp or Move Over Mr. Spielberg Camp with him at the Dietrich in previous summers – he does an amazing job teaching! In this course, students will begin with basic characterization and end with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created; camera framing is used to tell the story and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films. Classes will be held on Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7. Seventh and eighth grade students will meet from 6:00 – 7:30 pm and students ages 14 through adult will meet from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Plus on Saturday, April 28th, we will have a claymation class from 10 am – 12:30 pm and a film making class from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Sounds like a great experience, right? Well, this will make it sound even better –admission is free! Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your wonderful imagination and learn all about acting and theater. Activities covered include acting techniques, theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, play making, character creation and more! Students will create their own characters and stories while learning how to act and how much fun theater is. A casual performance will end the week if time allows. Each camp will feature a completely different story and characters so students are welcome to sign up for both weeks.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 18 - 22 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 6 - 10 from 1:00 -2:30 pm.

Admission $50 per week.

Instructor: Michaela Moore of All About Theatre

Ahoy Matey! Pirates and Treasure: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Come find hidden treasure and learn the ancient secrets of pirates! Go on treasure hunts, make a pirate costume (boy or girl...yes there were girl pirates...)and make up your own unique play about...you guessed it - PIRATES! Come aboard our ship for a week and join the fun! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 6 -10 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for adults.

Saturdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $30 per person.

Instructor: Connie Kintner.

Decorative Painting for Adults - Spring and Summer

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. April 4 - August 29.

Admission: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids, ages 8 and up

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Learn some decorative painting techniques and turn a plain wooden box into a work of art for Mom - make wrapping paper too!Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Make a decorative box for Father's Day and wrapping paper to wrap it in.

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Digital Arts Camp, for ages 8 -13

Explore the arts through claymation, robotics and special effects.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making for ages 14 to adult

In this ten week course, students will begin with basic characterization and end up with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story, and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:00 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7. Saturday, April 28th - Claymation: 10 am - 12:30 pm. Film Making: 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making, for students in 7th and 8th grades

In this ten week course, students will begin with the basics of characterization and end with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7. Saturday, April 28 - claymation from 10 am - 12:30 pm and filmmaking from 1 - 4 pm.

Admission is free!

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Have a blast discovering these fascinating ancient reptiles. Make up live dinosaur adventures in costumes and create art that is all about preshistoric creatures. Stomp through fossils and long extinct mammals and reptiles while learning fantastic facts. Come be a meat eater or a plant eater for a week at the Dietrich! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, June 18 -22 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore.

Everhart Explorations, ages 5 - 12

Make it a scienterrific summer! Discover facts, features, and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with the Everhart has never been so exciting!

Mondays, July 9, 16, 23, 30. Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am. Ages 9 -12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind".

Tuesdays, April 3 - May 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free!

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Spring

"Rolling Stone" - Learn about and use unique Pennsylvania fabrics as you create your own interpretation of this classic quilt design that was popular in the 1800s.

Wednesday, April 4 - May 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6/ class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Summer

"Farmers Market" - Quilting is food for the soul! Fashion a tablerunner or throw for an indoor or outdoor setting made with fruit and vegetable print fabrics, homespuns and more. Learn the basics of sewing and quilting.

Wednesdays, June 6 - July 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission is $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Introduction to Natural Basketry

This class is designed for students to learn how to recognize, process and weave natural materials. Each student will have the opportunity to weave their own rectangular basket. For adults and students ages 16 and up.

Friday, May 4 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials are provided.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Leonardo Da Vinci - His Life and Ideas

Da Vinci's interests and accomplishments will be explored as children sketch birds and other animals, try mirror writing, make a lute, and even learn a little Italian!

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

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Amy Colley.

Making Cards, ages 8 and up

Make unique cards with decorative paper and learn to crimp paper.

Monday, April 23 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6.00.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek.

Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 1 - April 13, 20, 27, May 4. Session 2 - May 11, 18, 25, June 1.

Admission is $35 for four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Move Over Mr. Spielberg, for ages 14 to adult

Learn how to create your own digital films using a digital camera and a computer. Using everything from clay actors to human ones, the class will shoot, edit, score and output several short films in the course of a week.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - April 3, 10, 17, 24. Session 2 - May 1, 8, 15, 22. Session 3 - July 10, 17, 24, 31.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 1 - April 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 2 - April 30, May 7, 14, 21. Session 3 - July 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Spring

"Outside the Box" - Play with courageous and unique color choices as you learn to quilt these magical boxes. Learn about old and new quilts inspired by a classic quilt design.

Wednesdays, April 4 - June 6 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Summer

"Secret Garden" - Design and sew a garden quilt. Make this quilt all your own with colorful fabrics. With a seed of imagination, you might find dandelions, bugs and a cat in your garden patch quilt.

Wednesdays, June 13 - July 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission is $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Theatre Workshop, for Middle and High School Students

Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a week of fun as they learn about stage combat, improv, Pandora's Box, games, dance choreography and more!

Mondays - Fridays, June 25 -29 from 10 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Patti Dunning and Carl Canedy of First Act Children's Theatre.

Under the Sea: Theater and Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 -12

Mermaids, sharks and underwater adventures! Ever wonder what it would be like to live uder the sea, be a mermaid or even a shark? Come find out at this salt water camp that is all about the ocean. Create costumes, pottery, watercolors (how appropriate), stories and plays for a week of splashy fun!

Monday - Friday, July 9 - 13 from 10 am - noon.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

Watercolor for Beginners - Color and Composition

Learn the basics of color and composition in watercolor painting.

Friday, March 30 from 7-9 pm and Saturday, March 31 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 570-996-1500 for a materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

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. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for Beginners

Create a strong foundation of breath awareness and training to support your gentle yoga practice. Variations will be given to meet all physical needs including chair variations as alternatives to floor poses. Dress comfortably and bring a mat or blanket and pillow.

Tuesdays from 10 -11 am. Session 1 - April 3, 10, 17, 24. Session 2 - May 1, 18, 15, 22.

Admission: $40/month.

Certified Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo.

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

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

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo