Beyond the black swan

Still trying to get those disturbing “Black Swan” film scenes out of your head? I know just the thing: children. Lots and lots of children, dancing in a whimsical take on “Swan Lake” performed with “a splash” to benefit at-risk kids served by Free Arts of Arizona.

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona has partnered with Dance Theater West to present a free 45-minute dance performance dubbed “Swan Lake……The Big Splash” on Sun, Sept. 16 at 6pm at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

The “storybook” take on this classic tale features 14 youth who participate in programs developed and organized by Free Arts of Arizona. During rehearsals with Dance Theater West, they’ve been learning informal techniques with an emphasis on improvisation.

Families attending Sunday’s performance can arrive early to enjoy free arts and crafts activities taking place from 4:30-6pm in the lovely Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts lobby. A cookie reception follows, making the event sweeter still.

David Starry as Baron Von Rothbart and Hannah Cummiskey as Odette The Dying Swan. Photo by Jon Simpson. Courtesy of Dance Theater West.

Dance Theater West is the academy for Center Dance Ensemble, resident modern dance company at the Herberger Theater Center, and Storybook Ballet Theater. Guests artists appearing Sunday include David Starry (Baron Von Rothbart) of Scorpius Dance, plus Emilio Minto (Prince Siegfried) and Brad Speck (Bradley the Bad) of Center Dance Ensemble.

Arizona’s arts community is filled with all sorts of artists who regularly donate their time to shower our children with the riches of arts and culture, and taking a bit of time from our busy lives to watch such partnerships perform is one of many ways we can support their dedication — and bring smiles to the faces of youth who so appreciate having a big audience.

Sunday’s cast includes Hannah Cummiskey (Odette The Dying Swan), Taylor Brauer (Odette The Young Maiden), Rachel Bain (Magique), Jennifer Marcantonio (Odile The Evil Swan) and plenty of other dancers who’ll make you forget all about those darker Natalie Portman moments.

Folks not yet familiar with the story of “Swan Lake” can visit PBS to explore the work, which was first performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow in 1877 and features music composed by Tchaikovsky. Sunday’s “with a splash” dancers will also perform to music by Moussorgsky.

Learn more by calling Free Arts of Arizona at 602-258-8100.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about photography by Jon Simpson, and here to explore offerings by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (including the young@art gallery located inside the performing arts center)

Coming up: TV offerings for art lovers

Art camps for at-risk youth

Tatiana (L) and Michael at Free Arts of Arizona’s 2011 Multicultural Arts Camp

Chicano arts. Native American arts. African drumming. Latin dance. And spoken word. They’re all part of this year’s Multicultural Arts Camp presented by Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, which “uses artistic expression and creativity to heal abused and homeless children across the Valley.”

This year’s camp will serve 125 abused, homeless or at-risk youth, who’ll rotate through five workshops focused on multicultural and multidisciplinary arts as well as team-building activities. All are led by professional teaching artists — including Frank Thompson, Melanie Sainz, Christa Iceforest, Myrlin Hepworth and Misha Pemberton.

“Artists and workshops are purposefully chosen so that campers can experience arts from various cultures as well as various mediums,” according to Barbara DuVal Fenster, executive director for Free Arts. Think dance, music, visual arts and creative writing.

Two camp sessions are taking place at Desiderata Alternative High School in Phoenix. Both include breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day. This week’s camp, for 14-17 year olds, concludes with a June 8 showcase. Next week’s camp, for 9-13 year olds, wraps up with a showcase on June 15.

Pam Chu with campers during Free Arts’ 2011 Multicultural Arts Camp

“In addition to our artists and volunteers, we invite a few teens from the first session to serve as volunteers for the second session,” says Fenster. “For them,” she says, “it is a chance to move from camper to leader.” For the folks at Free Arts, it’s “an opportunity to watch young people grow, mature and build their self-esteem.”

Since 2001, the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix has worked with Free Arts to “heal young lives through the performing arts” by giving teens from group homes, shelters and treatment facilities throughout Maricopa County “the opportunity to create and experience the arts” through a two-week theater camp at the Herberger Theater Center.

During this year’s Summer Theater Camp, guest artists and volunteers will help children explore improvisation, character development, mask making, costumes, props and the technical side of theater production — then guide them in creating a production they’ll share during a final performance at the Herberger (Fri, June 29 at 7pm) that’s free and open to the public.

— Lynn

Note: A restaurant called Hula’s Modern Tiki, located at 4700 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix, is donating 10 percent of proceeds every Monday in July to Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona.

Coming up: Feeling like a million bucks

Update: I’m now blogging as “Stage Mom Musings” at www.stagemommusings.com. Please find and follow me there to continue receiving posts about arts and culture in Arizona and beyond. Thanks for your patience as the tech fairies work to move all 1,250+ posts to the new site. For the latest news follow me on Twitter @stagemommusings. 6/13/12

Tea times three!

It’s been a while since I did the tea party thing with my children, who now range in age from 18 to 22. But recently I’ve learned of three tea parties that almost leave me wishing I could turn them very tiny again.

The Ballet Academy of Arizona is holding their “Fairy Godmother’s Tea Party” Sun, Sept 25 from 3-5pm in the Camelback Ballroom at the Phoenician Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. It features a high tea (with menus for children and adults), singing, dancing and a silent auction.

Also an appearance by the fairy godmother and a performance by “Jolly Roger” the magician, who’s entertained at several parties my own children once attended.

Ballet Etudes holds their Nutcracker Sweet Tea in November

Yet another charming tea takes place this fall as Ballet Etudes presents its “Nutcracker Sweet Tea” both Sat, Nov 12 (at 10am and 11:30am) at the Wright House Reception Hall in Mesa and Sat, Nov 19 (at 11am) at the Johnson Ranch Golf Course in Queen Creek.

The “Nutcracker Sweet Tea” invites those who attend to explore the “Land of Sweets,” enjoy a light luncheon buffet, decorate their own cookies and listen in on storytime. They’ll also experience a Ballet Etudes performance.

Scottsdale Ballet Foundation presents their “Nutcracker Sweets Tea” Sun, Dec 4 from 11:30am-2pm at the Phoenix Country Club ballroom.

Another delightful dance event takes place Sun, Sept 18 at 1pm. Storybook Ballet, the student ballet company of Dance Theater West in Phoenix, and children from the Professional Artist Series program at Free Arts of Arizona present “Wonderland” at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Free Arts of Arizona is dedicated to healing abused and homeless children through artistic expression, and Dance Theater West is one of many community partners who join them on the journey. RSVPs for this free event are requested by Wed, Sept 14 (602-258-8100 or info@freeartsaz.org).

Like many parents, I spend far too much time chasing espresso when I should be sipping tea instead. How lovely that Valley arts organizations give us opportunities to slow down and really linger over time with our little ones, who don’t stay little for long.

— Lynn

Note: Learn more about these family-friendly tea parties at www.balletacademyofarizona.org, www.balletetudes.net and www.scottsdaleballetfoundation.org. Visit Dance Theater West at www.dancetheaterwest.com and Free Arts of Arizona at www.freeartsaz.org. Local resorts like The Ritz-Carlton, The Phoenician, and The Arizona Biltmore offer high tea. Check with Girly Girlz for girl-friendly tea parties (www.girly-girlz.com).

Coming up: Celebrating holidays arts and culture style

Fun with Free Arts

Participants in a 2010 Free Arts of Arizona multicultural arts camp

After Phoenix arts therapist Margaret Beresford met with Malibu arts therapist Elda Unger in 1993, she gathered a small group of citizens whose work evolved into an organization called Free Arts of Arizona — now one of a group of four Free Arts affiliates.

Early on, Free Arts of Arizona had just five volunteers serving 60 youth and a budget of $30,000. Today, Free Arts reports a staff of 16 and a million-dollar budget. More than 350 Free Arts volunteers work with more than 5,300 children each year.

Child donning a mask created through a Free Arts of Arizona program

The organization cites a study by the British Columbia School of Art Therapy which indicates that art helps abused and neglected children heal in several ways — enhancing their self-esteem, creativity, expression of feelings, insight and more.

Free Arts of Arizona programs include weekly mentoring, professional artist series, free arts experiences and arts camps. Youth served by Free Arts are currently enjoying multicultural arts camps — and the showcase event being held this Friday is free and open to the public. Think world drumming, spoken word, social dance, visual arts and more.

The showcase, being held at 11:30am on June 17, takes place at Desiderata Alternative High School — located near Thomas Rd. and 35th Ave. in Phoenix. RSVPs to 602-258-8100 or info@freeartsaz.org are requested no later than the Thursday before the event.

For more Free Arts of Arizona fun, head to the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix for a free performance of an original work developed by theater camp participants. It’s set for Fri, June 24 at 7pm. 

A teen performs as part of a 2010 Free Arts of Arizona theater camp

The “I was, I am, I will be” production features performance by “20 teens from group homes, shelters and treatment facilities.” The 45-minute work was developed during a two week theater camp experience, and is based on the campers’ “own life experiences.” It’s open to the public, and will be followed by a reception. RSVPs are requested by June 20 to 602-258-8100 (ext 10) or info@freeartsaz.org.

While you’re at the Herberger Theater Center, pick up a brochure featuring their diverse offerings for the upcoming season. There’s music, dance, theater and plenty more. Take time as well to enjoy local artworks located in the Center’s second-story art gallery.

Folks eager to support the Free Arts of Arizona cause of helping children heal through the visual and performing arts can make a difference in all sorts of ways. Attend their art exhibits and live theater productions to cheer on the children (and those who work with them). Volunteer your time, talent or financial resources. Tell others about Free Arts and their important work.

In the world of making a difference, it doesn’t get more fun than helping kids explore, make and share art. And who knows, you might even enjoy a few therapetic benefits of your own.

— Lynn

Note: Ever feel like there’s a friend or family member you just never get to spend enough time with? Consider volunteering together on a regular basis.

Coming up: Theater geek alert!, Do the math, Art adventures: Gilbert

Photos courtesy of Free Arts of Arizona

Update: This post amends an earlier version which incorrectly noted an additional showcase event–please note that a multicultural camp showcase is not being held on June 24. The June 24 event is a theater showcase as noted above.

2011 Governor’s Arts Awards

My children grew up experiencing the work of many of the artists nominated for this year’s Governor’s Arts Awards — Debra K. Stevens of Childsplay (Arts in Education/Individual), Arizona School for the Arts (Arts in Education/Organization), Bobb Cooper of Valley Youth Theatre (Individual) and more.

Award created by Christina Cardenas, Tucson, bisque painted ceramic

A total of 76 nominations, representing 22 Arizona cities and towns, were received for the 2011 awards — which are presented in six categories: Artist, Arts in Education (Individual), Arts in Education (Organization), Business, Community and Individual.

Winners are selected by an independent panel, and will be announced Tuesday evening during a special Oscar-style ceremony.

Each will receive an original work of art created by an Arizona artist (three are pictured here).

Award created by Jeff Reich, Mesa, stoneware vessel

The 30th annual Governor’s Arts Awards — presented by Arizona Citizens for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor — takes place at the Herberger Theater Center April 12.

Festivities begin at 5:30pm with a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments in the Herberger Theater Center lobby. The ceremony takes place at 7pm and will be followed by a dessert reception at 8pm.

Additional honorees include former State Senator Carolyn Allen and Bill Sheppard, attorney with Gammage and Burnham — who’ll receive the “The Shelley Award” for their impact on public policy benefiting the arts in Arizona. 

Award created by Kevin Matthew Stevens, Laveen, caliche

The award is named for Shelley Cohn, who served as executive director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts for more than 25 years.

Those interested in attending can visit www.governorsartsawards.org for event and ticket details.

If you miss the ceremony, you can visit www.azarts.gov or www.azcitizensforthearts.org after Tuesday for the names of 2011 award recipients (which will also be added as an update to this post).

Before you know it, planning for the 2012 Governor’s Arts Awards will be underway — so start thinking now about artists and arts supporters you might like to nominate, including youth who are making a difference in our communities through the arts.

— Lynn

Note: Eight, Arizona PBS will broadcast the 2011 Arizona Poetry Out Loud competition (held March 16) Tues, April 12 at 7:30pm and 11:30pm as well as Sun, April 24 at 5pm.

Coming up: New seasons from East Valley to West Valley

Update: Congratulations to all the 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards honorees — Martin Moreno (Artist), Tonto Community Concert Association (Arts Education-Organization), Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (Community), Carol Duval Whiteman (Individual), Ann Ludwig (Arts Education-Individual) and Cox Communications of Southern Arizona (Business).

Choosing a performing arts college

The happy day came just a few weeks ago. Lizabeth, our 17-year-old high school senior, finally got that last college admissions letter. We can all stop clinging to the mailbox, and turn instead to thoughts of mounting college costs and creative contents for care packages.

Lizabeth is in the final stages of deciding where to attend college — a step that follows a host of others. Researching schools. Deciding where to apply. Completing applications. Securing letters of recommendation. Traveling to campus tours and theater program auditions.

And now, revisiting information and observations about her three top choices to determine which college or conservatory feels most like home.

Xanthia Walker holds an M.F.A. in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University in Tempe

For fellow families with children facing similar decisions, I’ve garnered tips from Xanthia Walker, M.F.A. — education associate with Phoenix Theatre, faculty member at Arizona School for the Arts and co-founder of Rising Youth Theatre.

Walker has worked as a resident artist for the Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, Free Arts of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.

She currently teaches “Theatre for Social Change” at ASA in Phoenix — where students are developing an original theater production titled “Like Everyone Else” with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.

“Choosing a school is a very personally specific decision,” says Walker. “I think a lot of it is about knowing what you want.” Big school or small school? Dedicated college town or urban campus?

My husband James did a lot of work with Lizabeth during the pre-application period to help her identify wants and needs — and to search out schools that seemed to match her interests and priorities.

They put together a notebook with school profiles and such that Lizabeth used all through the appplication process. It was especially helpful during meetings with the ASA college counselor, and now serves as a place to put more detailed information on schools in her top tier (faculty bios, alumni achievements, history of works performed by students, etc.).

Walker encourages students to “sit down and think about what you want out of your college experience.” Make a list with three sections — your wants, your needs and your no-ways. 

Maybe you want to live in a big city, need affordable housing but think having a roommate is out of the question. It’s best to consider these factors early in the process — even visiting possible schools before applying when feasible.

“As a student,” shares Walker, “I learned so much about the schools I was considering that I would have had no way of understanding had I not been able to physically be in the spaces.” She’s a strong proponent of site visits for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

“Meeting the students and professors, getting the vibe of the school community, actually having face to face conversations with people and taking a tour of the department/campus — and even sitting in on some classes directly influenced my choices, and even changed my mind,” she adds.

“What I thought I would love pre-visit,” reflects Walker, “was different than what I actually loved post-visit.”

Though there’s plenty of buzz about “the best” schools in the country for those studying performing arts, Walker says it’s better to think in terms of “best departments” instead of “best schools.” Not every school excels in every area. “Look at the specific departments where you will be spending your time,” suggest Walker, “and compare that way.”

There’s also the “college” versus “conservatory” question. Again, Walker says there’s no better option — just the need to match what’s offered with what a student is looking for.

I’ll share more of Walker’s thoughts on the college/conservatory questions, and her tips for evaluating specific theater departments and programs, in tomorrow’s post.

In the meantime, please comment below if you’re a college or theater professional with tips to share — or a parent or student who has found certain approaches/strategies helpful in the great “choosing a performing arts college” debate.

— Lynn

Note: Click here for information on the ASU M.F.A. Theatre for Youth program and here to read an ASU profile of Walker.

Coming up: Choosing between college theater programs