At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. I park behind the theater on Sunday afternoon at about 1:45 because I’m coming to see the Frances Slocum movie and lecture. About 60 people had reserved tix so we thought there would most likely be an audience of 100-125. That’s usually about how it goes with advance ticket sales. So. I’m walking up the little hill and come around the corner and see a couple dozen people on the sidewalk outside the theater and I see that the door is sort of propped open and I think “Oh, my Gosh! Someone burned a batch of popcorn and the fire alarm just went off. Oh no! All these folks are having to hang out on the street!”

Not exactly. In the spirit of never knowing what is going to be a hit or not in the entertainment business, I walked up to the door prepared to tell everyone how sorry I was that there had been this inconvenience when I noticed that what looked like a random bunching of people was actually the end of a line that went all the way to the ticket booth. I made my way inside, saw Omar across the gallery and he mouthed “Sold out!”

Sold out? Did he say “Sold out”????? I stood there for a moment just trying to get my thoughts combobulated. After all, this was a little film and lecture about an obscure moment in history in the Wyoming Valley. A very, very interesting moment in history, to be sure.

It soon became apparent that at least sixty or seventy people were going to be turned away, so we went running to Bill Bachman to ask him if he would mind doing a second show right after the first and he said he would be delighted! And that’s what we did. Most everyone came back, the day was a smashing success, we learned that history lectures are probably best scheduled for a Sunday afternoon, and all was well with the serendipitous world. What a wonderful day! (But now we have to deal with the swelled heads on those cultural people – you know how Margie and Erica can be – just feeling so, so superior to us movie folks. Well, non-movie people – I have this to say! Just wait til gala night! Ha Ha!!!)

A small glitch to tell you about. There was a delay in the mailing of the festival brochures. It was totally out of our control and we apologize for it. There are about fifty tickets left, so make that call now, because once those brochures hit there won’t be any left, and surely you don’t want to miss the very bestest night of the spring! Gala nights (along with It’s A Wonderful Life) are our favorite nights of the year. The food and wine, the wonderful company, the films, all add up to perfection for those of us who love movies, and…well…food..and… ur…wine and …other movie buffs …and just all of it put together! So make that call – 996-1500 today! (We’ll miss you if you don’t come.)

Opening a great family movie this weekend. Nim’s Island is a wonderful little story about a young girl, Nim, played by Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine, who lives alone on an island with her scientist father. She reads a lot and her favorite author is played by Jodie Foster. In a series of movie-circumstances, Foster comes to the island to visit Nim and all sorts of delightful complications follow. It’s terrific family-fare, so bring the kids and grandma, too. It will entertain everyone.

Holding Horton for one last week – it’s been such a delight and is still doing very well at the box office. Drillbit has two final showings on Friday and Saturday around nine.

Ron Ulias stopped by to see me yesterday. Said the middle school is doing a talent show to benefit the Dietrich. Sounds like great fun. If you have a talent you want to share, give Ron a call – he’d love to fit you in.

Have a grand week. Spring is here. Gala is a week away. All is well with the world!

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Mark your calendars; Tom Knight and his puppets will be back at the Dietrich this month! On Thursday, April 10th at 1:00 pm, join us for his vibrant live show. Performing for kids since 1988, Tom Knight brings his portable stage and hand-made puppets to different venues across the northeast.

His show is an energetic collection of original songs and skits that will keep your little ones dancing and singing along. Little ones are completely entertained by puppets such as Henry the Magician, the Little Elephant, and Allie the Alligator as they act out the stories of the songs. Children learn hand motions and do simple dance steps. Admission is free. We hope you will be able to join us.

For your older children, the Dietrich will be offering All About Pottery & Sculpture for ages 5 -12 in May. There is something about working with clay that makes this class so popular. Instructor Steve Colley will teach students hand building techniques including coil and slab construction, glazing techniques, and how to use the potter’s wheel. Classes will be on Thursdays, May 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Admission is $35, materials are provided.

For adults, Kenny Ganz will be back for a Photography Workshop. Classes will be on Wednesdays in May from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and on Saturday, June 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Students will meet at the Dietrich each week and then proceed to a variety of locations to photograph. Students will gain practical shooting experience along with personalized instruction. Kenny Ganz is the Steamtown Historic Site Photographer. Admission is $75. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Speaking of photography, the Dietrich is sponsoring a Historic Homes Photo Contest! Tunkhannock has simply beautiful homes. The photos submitted will be on display in the Earnshaw Gallery during June. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information or stop by the Dietrich to pick up an application. The photo deadline is May 1, 2008.

The theater will also be offering an Ellis Island Bus Trip on Wednesday, April 30th. From 1892 to 1954, this immigrant depot processed the greatest tide of incoming humanity in the nation’s history. Nearly twelve million landed in their search of freedom of speech and religion, and for economic opportunity. So many of us have ancestors who came through Ellis Island. The bus will depart from the Dietrich at 8:00 am. The trip includes bus and ferry transportation and am audio tour. To reserve a seat, please give us a call.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your imagination and learn all about acting through theater 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 each week.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 23 - 27 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 5 -12

Students will learn hand building techniques including coil and slab construction, glazing techniques, and experience using the potter's wheel.

Thursdays, May 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Printmaking, ages 5 -12

Students will learn about printmaking while creating their own etchings, monoprints and lithographs.

Ages 9-12: Thursdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Steve Colley.

All Kinds of Sculpture Camp

Create sculptures using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay & recyclables.

Monday - Friday, July 21 - 25. Ages 5 -8: 10:00 - 11:30 am. Preschoolers: 12:00 - 12:45.

Admission: Ages 5 -12: $50. Preschoolers: $35

Amy Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

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

Saturdays, April 5 - May 3 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $30 per person

Instructor: Connie Kintner

Basketry Workshop - Create a Berry Basket

Students ages 16 and up will create a small open berry basket of hand pounded back ash wood splints. The basket features a square check weave base. Besides learning basketry techniques, students will learn how to prepare black ash wood splints. No experience is required.

Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Cuddly Characters for Mommy & Me

Little ones will use soft materials to bring to life their own chuddly characters in the company of their moms, dads, or grandparents. For ages 3 - 5.

Fridays, May 2, 9, 16, 23 from 10:30 -11:15 am.

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Cuddly Characters for Preschoolers

Preschoolers will use soft materials to bring to life their own cuddly characters. For ages 3 - 5.

Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Dance! Dance! Dance!, ages 2 - 17

Learn different styles of dance with Judy Weist of Stage Door Dance Studio. No dance experience is required. Special needs students invited. Call for info.

July 7, 8, 9. Ages 2 - 4: 9:00 - 10:00 am. Ages 5 -7: 10:30 - 11:30 am. Ages 8+: noon - 1:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Judy Weist, Stage Door Dance Studio

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

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

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. April 16, 23, 30. May 14, 21, 28. June 11, 18, 25. July 16, 23, 30. August 13, 20, 27.

Admission: $20/class plus the cost of painting surfaces

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Dig Art!

Create and explore seeds, leaves, bugs, and more! Investigate the world around you this July at the Dietrich. Based on the Everhart’s exhibit, Art of the Land, learn about and be inspired by the plants, animals, ground, and sky that make up our Pennsylvania terrain.

Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 28. Ages 5 - 8: 10 - 11 am. Ages 9 - 12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Everhart Museum Educator

Digital Arts Camp, ages 8 - 13

Explore the arts through claymation, robotics, and special effects.

Monday - Friday, July 14 - 18 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Rand Whipple of Box of Light Theatre.

Exploring Patterns and Textures for Mommy & Me

Little artists will explore everyday patterns and textures by creating masterpieces using collage and printmaking techniques with their moms, dads, or grandparents. For ages 3 - 5.

Fridays, April 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Exploring Patterns and Textures for Preschoolers

Little artists will explore everyday patterns and textures by creating masterpieces using collage and printmaking techniques. For ages 3 - 5.

Thursdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Fantastical Inventamania Camp

Join us as we go on a Dr. Suess-like adventure where we learn all about inventions. We will create characters, stories and amazing inventions! We will learn about innovations that have changed our world and talk about what wonderful inventions we would like to invent in the future!

Monday - Friday, July 14 - 18 from 10:00 to noon

$50

Amy Colley and Michaela Moore

Far Out Fairy Tales Theatre and Arts Camp

Enter the world of fantasy and storytelling! Become a hero, a fairy, a sea monster or a mythical creature of your very own invention while we make up characters and myths! We will create sets, costumes, and tons of art projects that are all about fantasy and imagination!

Mondays - Fridays, June 23 - 27. Ages 5-12: 10:00-noon. Ages 3-5: 1:30-2:30

Ages 5-12: $50, Preschoolers: $35

Amy Colley and Michaela Moore

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Do you remeber old time radio? Did you always wonder how all the sound effects were made...like a door opening and closing or someone walking on gravel? Or wonder how it would feel to stand in front of a microphone and read the lines of the characters you are playing? Or to act like a hero or a villiam? Or use your voice to sound very old or very young? Join us and you will learn and experince all of this and more. Oh, did I mention that we always have a lot of fun putting a show together to be played for an audience? Laughter is expected.

Tuesdays, April 1 - May 20 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting - Spring

"Reflections" - Learn quilting techniques as you experiment by designing a quilt with mirrors. This bold quilt design will add a dose of kaleidoscope magic with its sense of excitement and movement.

Wednesdays, April 2 - May 28 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Peggy Lane, Terry Keller, and Ingrid Rogler

Intergenerational Quilting - Summer

"Tea Gardens" - Learn quilting techniques as you create a charming tea cup quilt that will bring back memories of clinking cups and giggles of childhood friendships. Learn how to use fabrics to create different effects. For ages 13 and up.

Wednesdays, June 11 - July 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class; materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller

Jammin' in a Jugband, ages 13 - adult

Join Timothy Walker and David Driskell, PCA rostered artists, as you create and make music with homemade instruments such as a washboard, washtub bass, spoons, whistles, saws, and a jug, as well as the conventional guitar, banjo, clarinet and saxophone. Find out that music is fun!

July 21, 22, 23, 25 from 1:00 - 2:15 at the Dietrich. Tuesday, July 22 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm at Tunkhannock's Senior Center

Admission: Free

Timothy Walker and David Driskel, PCA rostered artists

Jammin' in a Jugband, ages 6 - 12

Join our jugband as you create and make music with homemade instruments such as a washboard, washtub bass, spoons, whistles, saws and jug, as well as the conventional guitar, banjo, clarinet, and saxophone. Find out that music is fun!

July 21, 22, 23, 25 from 10:00 - 11:15 am.

Admission: Free

Instructors: David Driskell and Timothy Walker

Jewelry for Kids - Glass Fusing

Students will learn about glass fusing as they design and create two glass pieces which can be turned into jewelry - pendants or pins!

Tuesday, July 8th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry for Kids - Glass Fusing

Students will learn about glass fusing as they design and create two glass pieces which can be turned into jewelry - pendants or pins!

Tuesday, July 8th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making - Glass Fusing, ages 16 and up - filled up

This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished, and wire wrapped.

Mondays, May 5 and 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Knit a Hat, ages 10 through adult

Learn how to knit a hat using round knitting needles. Choose from three hat styles. All materials are included.

Tuesdays, July 29 & August 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $20.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Mehoopany Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

Students will learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio (87 Main Street; Mehoopany, PA)

Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 1 - April 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 2 - April 30, May 7, 14, 21.

Admission $35 for each session of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley.

Mixed Media Madnes, ages 5 - 12

Students will express themselves using different types of clay, paints and drawing materials as they create their own masterpieces.

Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26 from 10:00 - 11:30 am.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mount Olympic Theater & Visual Arts Camp

Learn all about the Olympics, its orgins in ancient Greece and Beiing China in this unique camp that arrives just in time for the summer Olympics. Become an Olympic hero or super talented gymnast while creating a fabulous play! Plus make medals, trophies, laurel wreaths, togas, torches, and flags to celebrate this wonderful tradition and our fantastic country! Tons of fun and lots of learning! For ages 5 -12

Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15. Ages 5 -12: 10 am - noon. Preschoolers: 1:30 - 2:30 pm.

Admission: Ages 5 - 12: $50. Preschoolers: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore.

Move Over Mr. Spielberg: Digital Film Making

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 edit, score, and output a short film in the course of a week. Script Writing Workshop - July 7, 8, 10 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm.Instructor: Ann Vitale. Admission: Free.Write a script for your digital film and be ready to start filming in your Move Over Mr. Spielberg project.

Monday - Friday, July 14 -18 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

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 with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm Session 2 - April 1, 8, 15, 22. Session 3 - April 29, May 6, 13, 20. Session 4 - June 3, 10, 17, 24. Session 5 - August 5, 12, 19, 26.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Photography Workshop

Improve your photogrpahy skills with an experienced instructor. Students will meet a the Dietrich each week and then proceed to a variety of locations to photograph. Gain practical shooting experience along with personalized instruction.

Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Saturday, June 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

$75

Instructor: Kenny Ganz, Steamtown Historic Site Photographer

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. Session 2 - March 31, April 7, 14, 21. Session 3 - April 28, May 5, 12, 19. Session 4 - June 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 5 - June 30, July 14, 21, 28. Session 6 - August 4, 11, 18, 25.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids - Spring

"Mamma Kitty" - Learn quilting techniques as you create a cat quilt. These quilted scrap cats hanve one orange ear, the other purple. For ages 6 and up

Wednesdays, April 2 - May 28 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Terry Keller, Peggy Lane and Ingrid Rogler.

Quilting for Kids - Summer

"Tea for Two" - Learn quilting techniques as you create a charming teac cup quilt. Come with a friend, be a mom and me team, or bring any family member. Work on a quilt together or make your own. We'll end the class with a tea party.

Wednesdays, June 11 - July 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class.

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

Woodwinds Master Class

David Driskell, a classically trained clarinet player, will conduct a woodwinds master class for all ages. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Monday, July 21 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: David Driskell

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 Kids, ages 8 and up

Explore yoga postures, relaxation, and breathing techniques with Melissa Russo, certified yoga Ed. instructor, that will help calm the body, strengthen muscles, and stretch your mind. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, July 30, August 6, 13, 20 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm.

Admission: $35.

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