DRT Hires Fatou Njie, Assistant Summer Camps Manager (ACM,) 2017

Fatou Njie, DRT Assistant Summer Camp Manager 2017

Fatou Njie, DRT Assistant Summer Camp Manager 2017

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On Friday, June 9, 2017, Fatou Njie, will join her senior class from Kestrel Heights School to walk down the aisle at North Carolina Central University’s McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium and receive her high school diploma.
 
Saturday morning, June 10, Fatou Njie will start work as DRT’S ACM – assisting artistic director Jennifer Justice in training DRT summer teaching assistants from middle and high schools around the triangle. Ms. Njie’s ACM work will include supervising these teen teaching assistants. Last year Fatou was a summer teaching assistant herself, making her DRT’S third teaching assistant to “Mentor-Up,” first volunteering in a variety of ways then being paid a stipend as a vital member of DRT’S summer camp staff – and receiving crucial work experience for the future.
 
We’re proud of the leaders we help to train at DRT; we benefit from their talents, dedication and skill. We are pleased to announce the hiring of Fatou Njie as our ACM, summer 2017.
 
From June 10th – August 18th, Ms. Njie will coordinate or carry out most on-site administrative aspects of DRT’S successful summer theatre day-camps for ages 5 – 18 -years. Additionally, the ACM supports 4-6 teen interns per camp and assists with camp activities, leading acting games and helping actors rehearse their shows. She is the first line of communications with the facilities manager at our beautiful Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church campsite.
 
Fatou Njie’s previous experiences with DRT made her an ideal candidate for the ACM position this year. She was first attracted to DRT through our website, looking for a multi-ethnic theater group. She auditioned for DRT’S 2016 original musical, “Alice,” and was cast in several small roles, including the chorus. She also got involved assisting with and participating in DRT winter and spring advanced acting classes and Hamlet Project Durham. She volunteered as a teen teaching assistant for summer camps 2016 and participated in the three-week Teen Theatre Conservatory.
 
In fall 2016, Ms. Njie was directing assistant for DRT’S first Main Stage show of the season, “Walk Two Moons,” by Tom Arvetis based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by Sharon Creech; when an actor fell ill, Fatou took over acting her two parts, while continuing to participate in Hamlet Project Durham through spring 2017.

Fatou Njie says: As an intern last year … I learned how important it is to make summer camps a positive and enjoyable learning environment for not just the campers, but also the interns ... Some of my skills include being a hard worker and keeping my head when people around me are losing theirs.
 
At Kestrel Heights High, Fatou is renowned as an artist and a fencer. She believes fencing will give her the speed and agility of mind and body required for the hard work of supporting DRT’S exciting summer theatre camps.
 
Fatou hopes being part of our team will help her reach her goal of being accepted at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She has a good start, as AMDA has offered her VIP status, meaning she will not be charged an application fee and is automatically considered for scholarships. Ms. Njie is also applying to North Carolina A & T State University’s outstanding theatre program.

 

We welcome Fatou Njie to DRT’S summer camp staff and look forward to a successful 7th summer of theatre and community!

 

Baba Chuck Davis - January 1, 1937 - May 14, 2017

Dr. Charles R. Davis (Baba Chuck) Dancer for Peace

From DRT Artistic Director - Yesterday I was thinking about Baba Chuck being cared for by loved ones, wishing his soul a peaceful passing, and I had the sudden thought - "Oh, no, I never saw Baba Chuck dance!" 

Then I thought of how generously kind he always was to me, even when he was very ill and not quite sure who I was - making certain I felt his wide welcome - and I thought, well, yes, maybe I did see Baba Chuck dance – 

Then I pictured DRT’s young adult board member, Taylor Dorsey Flowers, and the sons and daughters of DRT’s music director, Joy Harroll Goff, performing with Collage Dance Company, the African Dance group for children and youth, born from Baba Chuck’s work. I see still their broad joy at drumming and dancing, their exuberant strength and skill, their generosity in performance – and I think, yes, I did see Baba Chuck dance -

And though I plan to go to a website somewhere and watch a video of Baba Chuck dancing - I'm already certain what I will see again is his wide generosity in skillful, creative, living motion. 

Warmly, Jenny Justice

Today we learned the sad news of Baba Chuck Davis’s passing. Dr. Charles R. Davis (Baba Chuck) lead the internationally recognized, Durham rooted, African American Dance Ensemble for more than 30 years. His leadership, his unquenchable spirit, his creative passion and skill changed everyone around him. We will miss our “Dancer for Peace.”

Find out more about Baba Chuck's amazing life and work at these sites:

http://www.africanamericandanceensemble.org/index.html

http://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article150496672.html

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article150488137.html

When Great Trees Fall
by Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignoranceof
dark, cold
caves.

And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

― Maya Angelou

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DRT is Interviewing for Two Summer Camp Staff Positions

Assistant Camp Manager and Summer Lighting Director

Working with DRT Summer Theatre Camps is exciting and satisfying because you know you have made a positive difference, gained vital skills for the future and earned recognition for service to an established not-for-profit. DRT is an intentionally multi-racial and intergenerational arts and education organization serving Durham for seven years. The salaries are small – contract and stipend level – but the rewards are huge.

DRT Hiring Policy: DRT does not discriminate in regards to race, age, class, gender, sexual orientation, or special abilities. All are invited to apply for all positions.

DRT is grateful to the Durham Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council for their support.

Location of Jobs: All DRT Summer Theatre Camps 2017 are held at 927 W. Trinity Avenue, Durham, NC (Near Durham School for the Arts) in the fellowship hall of Trinity Ave. Presbyterian Church.

CLICK BELOW FOR SUMMER 2017 JOB DESCRIPTIONS: And go to  durhamregionaltheatre.com/jobs/, to read all about it - 

ASSISTANT CAMP MANAGER DESCRIPTION

LIGHTING DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

DRT is also accepting applications for Teen Teaching Assistants, a community service position that is vital to our reputation as an excellent, exciting, positive, creative camp. Read how to become a Teen Teaching Assistant with DRT at durhamregionaltheatre.com/theatre-camps/

Tap Your Toes and Hum a Tune on Your Way Out the Door

Tickets are on Sale Now for DRT'S original musical, "Brigid, the legend begins."

For ticket information: go to durhamregionaltheatre.com/drt-shows

Last winter audiences laughed and cheered at Jennifer Justice’s dazzling original play, “Alice, a mad musical adventure.” This year Justice’s newest musical, “Brigid, the legend begins,” will bring howls of laughter, gasps of suspense, and rousing ovations. The musical is a bold and breathtaking homage to the storytelling tradition, once our only form of entertainment and still the way we determine who we are, individually and in community.
 
Jennifer Justice began studying theatre more than fifty years ago; she has made her living on the stage and in classrooms, and traveled the nation as a “master storyteller.” (Boston Globe) In 2016, the board of New England’s longest running storytelling conference, “Sharing the Fire,” named a scholarship after Justice, honoring her significant contributions to arts education.
 
Durham Regional Theatre is an intentionally multi-racial, intergenerational, not-for-profit theatre building community, character and careers since 2010. All of our plays tenaciously reflect the rich diversity of our community.
 
For a description of the play at its premiere production in 2014, read Cliff Bellamy’s Herald Sun article, “Finding your story: DFT to present new musical.” Written 2/6/14

Things are starting to sizzle at DRT

DRT Summer Theatre Camps 2017

Are Open for Registration

With more chances for creativity than ever before

 

June 12 – 16, 2017, Ages 5-12

A Play A Day 1: Amazing Tall Tales

June 19 – July 1, 2017, Ages 6-12

Children’s Theatre Camp 1: Ghosts*R*Us #6: Guardian of the Western Gates,

Sixth in the “Ghosts*R*Us” series written by Jennifer Justice

July 10 – 22, 2017, Ages 13 - 18

Teen Theatre Intensive

A Full-Evening of One-Acts from “The Best Short Plays in America” and “The Humana Festival” collections of outstanding, groundbreaking, mind-expanding plays

July 24 – 28, 2017, Ages 5-12

A Play A Day 2: Magic Moments

July 31 – August 12, 2017, Ages 6-12

Children’s Theatre Camp 2, Stealing the Magic Capes, From the Chronicles of Bob the Dragon, Second in the “Chronicles of Bob the Dragon” series written by Jennifer Justice

 August 14 -18, 2017, Ages 5-12

A Play A Day 3: Tricksters Around the World

Camps meet Monday – Friday, 9 am – 3 pm

At 927 W. Trinity Ave., Durham, NC

(Trinity Ave. Presbyterian Ch.)

Early drop off & after care are available by arrangement

COST

A Play A Day, 1-week camps: $145 wk/$40 day

Children’s Theatre Camps, 2-weeks: $300

Teen Theatre Intensive, 2-weeks: $300

REGISTER AT: durhamregionaltheatre.com/theatre-camps/ or with a check to DRT PO BOX 61894, Durham, NC 27705

DRT is an intentionally multi-racial, not-for-profit theatre, durhamregionaltheatre@gmail.com, (919) 286-5717, 

Camp Descriptions:

"A Play A Day" (APAD) campers start each day with some physical warm-ups and acting games. Then they hear a story told by "Master Storyteller" Jennifer Justice. For the rest of the day (except for fruit break, lunch and rest time) the campers turn the story into a story-theatre show and perform the show for a small group of family and friends at the end of each day. APAD campers may register for as many days as they wish, from one to all.

At DRT two-week “Children's Theatre Camps,” campers play acting games, throw themselves enthusiastically into physical, imaginative and vocal theatre warm-ups, and find out what it takes to put on a show from auditions through rehearsals, set-design, creating costumes and props to the big finale of two public performances.

Students should have had at least one-year of reading learning in a school or home-school setting, and be able to follow-along in a reading of the script (with support from our teen teaching interns on the big words.)

“Teen Theatre Intensive” is designed for youths with a strong interest in theatre, at whatever level of experience. In two-weeks, Teen Intensive students take a full-length show from idea to performance for public audiences. Along the way they gain knowledge of the focus, commitment, and risk-taking that are involved in a professional actor’s exciting work. Teen actors will find themselves growing in talent, skill and confidence. (No Cell Phone Use during Camp Hours)

DRT Brings Back a Favorite & You Can Sing in It!

DRT is Looking for People of All Ages Who Love to Sing

 “Brigid, the Legend Begins,” an original musical

Written with Lyrics & Melodies by Jennifer Justice

Director, Jennifer Justice; Music Director/Vocal Arrangements, Joy Harrell-Goff

All Music Produced & Arranged by Michael D. Jones, Sr.

What:                 DRT is looking for people of all ages to sing with the large chorus of an original musical. Some small peaking parts available. If you are interested, simply come to our first rehearsal and sing with the cast. (For a full description of the play, CLICK HERE and read Cliff Bellamy's 2014 Herald Sun article.

When:                 Thursday, January 5, 2017, 6:15 – 8:30 pm

Where:               Auditorium of EK Powe Elementary School, 913 Ninth Street, Durham, NC

                           (Plenty of free parking on the street and in small lots)

How:                   It is easy, arrive with the cast at 6:15 pm and sing with the chorus – you may be asked to sing some scales for us to establish what parts you will sing.

Roles for:            Chorus (Ages 7 yrs – adults)

Rehearsals:        Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays: 6:30 – 8:30 pm and Saturdays: 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

Show Dates:       Friday, Feb. 10 & 17, 2017, 7:00 pm

                           Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, 10 am educational matinee

                           Saturday, Feb. 11 & 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

Durham Regional Theatre is an intentionally multi-racial, not-for-profit theatre building community, character and careers since 2010. All of our plays include a multi-racial cast.

“Brigid, the Legend Begins,” was written with melodies and lyrics by DRT artistic director, Jennifer Justice. It is an exciting fantasy set in pre-Celtic Ireland that was first produced by DRT in winter 2014. For a description of the play, CLICK HERE & read Cliff Bellamy’s Herald Sun article, “Finding your story: DFT to present new musical.” Written 2/6/14

Help DRT Keep Giving in 2017

Michael and Naomi Gibson in "The Giver," DRT Nov. 2015

In August 2010, DRT was a vision made real by the offer of space and students eager for acting classes and summer camps. We premiered our first original musical in 2011 and have been growing and fulfilling our mission ever since.

Now, DRT is in our 7th season as an intentionally multi-racial and intergenerational community theatre, making a place for exciting talent to grow and shine. Like all small 501(c)3 arts organizations, funding is a steady challenge. Here is a video https://youtu.be/rSLjgH0hXWM

of DRT shows along with an appeal to help us keep giving in the future. Enjoy it - and then send it to everyone you know.  Help us reach our goal of $2,500 by January 1, 2017.

Jenny Justice, DRT artistic director

Get Your Tickets for "Walk Two Moons" Today!

The fabulous cast of "Walk Two Moons" is halfway through our rehearsal process - working hard and having a blast creating a strong, exciting, funny and moving show for our audiences. Tickets are now on sale for DRT'S 7th season opening Main Stage show for general audiences (no children under the age of 9, mature themes) The show opens on Fri., Oct. 28 - Don't miss it. Go to durhamregionaltheatre.com/drt-shows and reserve your seats today!

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A Great Start to Auditions for "Walk Two Moons"

A wonderful group of actors aged 13 - 60s showed up to read tonight at our first audition for "Walk Two Moons," Tom Arvetis' compelling and surprisingly humorous adaptation of the Newbery Medal winning book by Sharon Creech. When asked what the play is about, I answer with a paraphrase from a character in the play: a person has to have hope to survive all the suffering in the world. It is easy to find out about the plot - sparknotes.com has a fine summary and character overview of the book. 

The 2nd round of auditions for DRT'S production of this honest and moving play will be this Saturday, September 10, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm, at EK Powe Elementary School auditorium, 913 Ninth St., Durham, NC. 

ACTORS WE ARE LOOKING FOR on SATURDAY

3 - Teen Girls, (can be as old as early 20s if can play 13) for leads and supporting roles

2 - Adult Women: ages 20s - early 40s for small and supporting roles

2 - Adult Males: ages 20s - early 40s for small and supporting roles

1 - Adult Males - aged 50s - 60s for a supporting role

Join us on Saturday - We are going to have a great time bringing a powerful play to life for our audiences. Warmly, Jenny Justice

The Twilight Zone is Closer Than You Think

The DRT Teen Conservatory 2016 has taken five of the best scripts from the original "Twilight Zone" TV series, and we're adapting them to the stage: designing and creating sound, lights, sets, costumes, as well as rehearsing for the full-length production - bringing our suspenseful, often frightening and surprisingly uplifting plays to life. Join us for the shows.

DRT is having a Costume Shop Party

Each spring we invite volunteers to join us at our garage-loft costume shop to re-organize (unpack from the Main Stage shows and 8-week classes), sort, and repack our costumes and props in preparation for a very creative summer – You are invited to join us this season – and bring family and friends too –

Members of the DRT Costume Team will be here to show you what needs doing and how.

We Need

1) People that aren’t great at climbing stairs and lifting heavy things, to sit and sort costumes from boxes and bags into piles for “repacking people” to carry away –

2) People that are willing and able to carry big plastic containers of costumes, maybe up and down stairs and help re-organize the loft storage space.

DATE:             Sunday, May 22, 2016

TIME:              Noon – 4:00 pm (Stay as long as you like)

PLACE:            Yard behind 1025 Carolina Avenue, Durham,  NC

CONTACT:      durhamregionaltheatre@gmail.com; (919) 286-5717

PLEASE RSVP to the contact address, so we’ll know how much bottled water and treats to have for the DRT Spring 2016 Costume Shop Party.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday afternoon.

Jenny Justice

 

DRT Assistant Summer Camp Manager 2016

A new and exciting tradition is emerging at DRT Summer Theatre Camps. It helps fulfill our mission to mentor students into professional job skills. 

One reason that our camps fill-up every summer is our fantastic volunteer teaching assistants/interns. The first summer that all our children’s camps were full, in 2014, it was painfully clear that we also needed a mature, experienced, paid at some level, Assistant Camp Manager. The ACM would take over the crucial tasks of keeping up with daily administrative needs, supervising our teen teaching assistants, and generally supporting the Camp Director in any way necessary to keep our camps positive and exciting experiences.

The following summer, 2015, we held a public search and ended up hiring someone we already knew and loved. Our first Assistant Camp Manager was Korinn Jefferies, who had worked with DRT in the past as a volunteer teaching assistant and an actor on our Main Stage. Fresh from her first year in the musical theatre program at Howard University, Korinn was a perfect ACM.

And the tradition of training interns up to stipend level employees began. In 2016, the tradition continues.

We are pleased to announce that DRT’S Assistant Camp Manager 2016 is Johanna Fleischer.

Johanna has been actively involved with DRT since 2012. She has twice volunteered as a directing assistant/technical artist for DRT Main Stage productions (Watsons’ Go to Birmingham – 1963 (DRT 2014) and The Mousetrap (DRT 2013.) For three years Johanna was a student in DRT summer theatre camps (children’s and teen conservatory) and acting classes; the minute she was old enough, she began volunteering as a teaching assistant.

Johanna is currently a rising sophomore at Durham School of the Arts, where she is involved in the theater and choral program. This past year Johanna has worked on You Can’t Take it With You, Arms and the Man, and Eurydice. She has learned new aspects of technical theater to go along with previous and continuing performance acting knowledge. One of her favorite shows to work on was Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl because she got to create stage makeup designs for all the characters. She is thankful and excited for the opportunity to work with Durham Regional Theatre and Jenny Justice this summer!

Only two camps still have openings for students (Children's Theatre Camp 1 and Teen Theatre Conservatory) and both are nearly full. Sign up today and join us for a great creative summer.