At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

I wish you all could have been with us on Saturday for the quilting ladies. The theater was full, the stories were grand, the music was gorgeous and the quilts were breathtaking! I didn’t see the morning show (I heard it was simply terrific) but the afternoon show was just about as good as live performance gets. There were seven chairs on stage draped with quilts (thus the title “Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters) but only six women performing. They explained that one of the sisters had died four years ago and they kept her chair there for her. That was too much for me, knowing what a hole in my life the absence of my own dear sister would make, and it was all I could do not to start sobbing. But their gospel music was so uplifting and their stories so charming that we decided they must come back again. We hope to make it an annual event coinciding with the airing of the quilts. And I think the packed house would agree with me!

Second Saturdays are back and they start with “Jammin’ With George Wesley”. Bring the kids and their instruments (whatever, from tambourines to sticks to bells or drums) and let ‘em jam with the master of music for the younger set. George is so full of life and his music is so wonderful, the kids will have the time of their lives. And that’s kids all the way up to adult – we all love George Wesley. His enthusiasm is contagious!

Snow White is coming! Snow White is coming! October23, at 11:00 a.m. “Snow White” is coming back and we’re sure it will be another sell-out so get those tix now! We had to turn away over fifty kids last time, so call early (996-1500) to make sure you and the kiddies don’t miss out on this wonderfully funny play by Scranton Public Theater. Those of you who saw it before know how it delights the kids, so do come for a rollicking good time!

Oh, yeah. We do have movies, don’t we? “Shark Tales” seems to be a pretty cute movie. It broke all the records for an October release and the little kiddies seem to come out pretty happy. I haven’t seen it yet, but bring the kids this weekend – you won’t regret it.

Finally, we have “Ladder 49” which is a very good Hollywood movie starring John Travolta. It’s a little predictable but it’s a good old-fashioned movie to bring a tear to your eye and put a cheer in your heart. It’s really a hats off to firemen and the courageous job they do every day. You know, it’s particularly poignant in a small town like ours where the firemen not only put their lives on the line but do it as volunteers. Truly, they are the best of us and they deserve a movie about what good guys they are. Everyone has loved it who has seen it. (Esther just totally loved it!!!) Remember it is in the small theater – it sold out most of the night shows this past weekend, so you will want to come early. It’s worth your while. (And you know I don’t fib to you.)

So, that’s all I have to say. Remember the screenwriting class on the 16th. If you love to write and you love the movies, you won’t want to miss it!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By

What a weekend – great cinema and live theatre at the Dietrich Theater! Theater business made a splash with the opening of “Shark Tale” and “Ladder 49”. And for cultural programming, families, young and old, turned out to see “Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters” on the Dietrich stage for two performances to celebrate Tunkhannock’s 3rd Annual Airing of the Quilts on Saturday October 2nd. Audiences learned about quilts and the history of the south during the slave era through the vehicles of song, skits, dance and more. Theatergoers also had the opportunity to take in the Tunkhannock’s United Way Antique Quilt show in the Dietrich Theater’s Earnshaw gallery and our Quilting for Kids exhibit in the Dorothy G. Sheldon Art Studio window. Both exhibits will be on display through most of October – so stop in to see it. And for those kids interesting in quilting, we welcome you to register for Ingrid Rogler’s Quilting for Kids Workshop held on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:00 pm at the theater.

This upcoming weekend will be also be filled with fun and music as George Wesley local reggae singer/songwriter from Factoryville will jam along with you and your kids or grandkids on Saturday, October 9th, from 11:00 am – noon at the theater. Bring your own instrument to “Jammin with George Wesley” and play along. Everyone is welcome and admission is free.

Another musical event happening this week is “Fun for Tots: Stories and Songs for 3 – 5 year olds” with local storyteller and musician Mary Baker on Thursdays in October from 10:30 – 11:30 am. Mary Baker provides a fun time for tots and their caregivers. Last spring, the kids danced, sang, and helped Mary tell amazing stories at the Dietrich. Admission is free so join us for this exciting, educational event for your little ones.

Another free event for your children at the Dietrich this October is “Everhart Art Experiments” for grades four through six. Everhart Museum Staff will come to the Dietrich and help your young artists get their creative juices flowing as they play with paints, pastels, colors and learn about art! Classes will be held on Tuesdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 2 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm in the theaters gallery. Please call 996-1500 to register – it’s not too late!

A live performance of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Scranton Public Theatre is coming to the Dietrich Saturday, October 23rd at 11:00 am. Take the opportunity to see a live show with your kids and participate in the actual performance! Admission is $5.00 per person. Call 996-1500 to purchase tickets.

And finally, for adults and students– an introductory “Screenwriting Workshop” will be held at the Dietrich on Saturday, October 16th from 10 am – 1 pm. So take that story idea, the one you’ve been longing to get on the page (and onto the screen – maybe the Dietrich screen) and develop it into a script you can pitch to Hollywood producers. Students will learn screenwriting basics from formatting and structure to marketing and dialogue. No experience is necessary. Catherine Shefski is a graduate of Smith College and has studied the Craft of Dialogue at NYU’s Screenwriting Department. Admission is $30. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

As you can see, the Dietrich Theater is so much more than movies!

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Art Class for Preschoolers - Mondays

These aspiring young artists will have the opportunity to experiment in a variety of materials such as clay, collage and tempra to create their unique works of art.

Mondays, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Session 2 - October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1. Session 3 - November 8, 15, Dec. 6, 13.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes

Instructor: Amy Colley

Art Class for Preschoolers - Thursdays

These aspiring young artists will have the opportunity to experiment in a variety of materials such as clay, collage and tempra to create their unique works of art.

Thursdays, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. . Session 2 - October 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4. Session 3 - November 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes

Instructor: Amy Colley

Basic Jewelry I

Participants will learn beginner metal work - saw, shape, & polish. Work with brass and sterling silver. No soldering. Students will have a sterling charm and a pair of earrings at class end.

Wednesday, November 10th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Cost: $40 including jewelry making kit

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Basic Jewelry II

Participants will fabricate a bracelet and learn to attach findings, bend wire, make jump rings, and various bead placement techniques. Sterling wire, attachments and an assortment of beads included.

Wednesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, November 17th

Cost: $40 including jewelry making kit

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Bead Knotting, ages 13 and up

During this class, you will learn the ancient art of knotting between beads and how to attach sterling bead tips and sterling clasps. Your kit will include beads and everything needed to make a necklace.

Tuesday, October 26th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $35 includes bead knotting kit

Instructor: Jeanne Browning

Decorative Painting for Adults, ages 13 and up

Introduction to decorative painting. Try your hand at painting decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts.

Wednesdays through November 17 noon - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $15 per session plus cost of painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Dietrich Theater Writer's Group

Love to Write? Join at any time. Group focuses on pop -ficton.

Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, through December 2

Free!

Dietrich Theater Writer's Group members

Everhart Art Experiments, Grades 4 - 6

Got art? The Everhart returns to the Dietrich this fall to let you get your creative juices flowing as we play with paints, pastels and colors galore!

Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., October 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2.

FREE!

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Fun for Tots: Stories and Songs for 3 - 5 year olds

Enjoy stories and songs with Mary Baker. Children must be accompanied by parents or care givers.

Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., October 7, 14, 21, 28.

FREE!

Mary Baker, singer and storyteller

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling dats 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". Call 570-996-1500 for more information.

Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, through November 16th

Free!

Valerie Paulis

Holiday Camp

Young artists will become familiar with the self portraits and symbolism of Frida Kahlo, the expressive paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, and the genius of sculptor and painter, Leonardo Da Vinci, by exploring a variety of mediums as they create their own masterpieces.

Monday - Wednesday, December 27, 28, 29, Ages 6 -8: 9 am - 10:30 am; Ages 9 - 12: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $30

Amy Colley

Holiday Workshop, for all ages

Get into the holiday spirit! A morning of cookie decorating, wreath making, holiday crafts, and creations by the balloon lady. Fun for all ages.

Saturday, December 11th at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Free

Dietrich Theater

Introduction to Acting, ages 11 - 17

This class will focus on the technique of acting with a performance at the end of the class. Students will learn about storytelling and the basic techniques of acting including voice, body, mind and imagination. Students of all experience levels will be accomodated.

Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., through November 16

Cost: $60 for all 8 sessions

Instructor: Michaela Moore

Introduction to Screenwriting Workshop

Take that story idea, the one you've been longing to get on the page (and on the screen), and develop it into a spec script you can pitch to Hollywood producers. We will discuss screenwriting basics from formatting and structure to marketing and examine character, dialogue, genre and theme using examples from actual screenplays. Apply what you learn by writing scenes and ogetting immediate feedback from the instructor and the class. No experience necessary.

Saturday, October 16th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

$30

Catherine Shefski

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

Give your child the opportunity to explore their creativity through charcoal and pencil, watercolors and clay while learning about proportion and perspective.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 2 - October 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5. Session 3 - November 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes

Amy Colley

Mixed Media, Ages 9-12

Give your child the opportunity to explore their creativity through charcoal and pencil, watercolors and clay while learning about proportion and perspective.

Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 2 - October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1. Session 3 - November 8, 15, Dec. 6, 13.

$25 for eac series of four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mixed Media/ Portfolio Prep for Adults, ages 13 and up

This class is a great opportunity for students to build a diverse portfolio as you draw, paint and create pottery & sculpture. Even if you are not planning a portfolio, you will be able to experience art using a variety of materials and learn new techniques.

Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Session 2 - October 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Cost: $40 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pottery and Sculpture for Adults, ages 13 and up

In this class, students will learn hand-building techniques using earthenware as they become familiar with the works of artists such as Rodin, Michelangelo and Picasso. All levels of experience welcome. Individualized instruction.

Mondays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Session 2 - October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1. Session 3 - November 8, 15, Dec. 6, 13.

Cost: $40 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Kaleidoscope Magic - Have you ever marveled over a kaleidoscope? Each slight turn creates an amazing design. We will teach you how to capture all this in a quilt. Bring your imagination...we'll supply the rest.

Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., through December 15.

Cost: $6 per class

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler/ Gloria Eastwood

Yoga for You

Accommodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. Ages 9 to adult. Classes will be ongoing in October through December. Call (570)-996-1500 for exact dates.

Wednesdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. - October 6, 20, 27. November 3, 10, 17.

Cost: Adults $10 per session or $45 for 5 classes, children free.

Presented by Melissa Russo.