Anxiousness rippled through groups of young performers.
Beyond the bright wash of lights that illuminated the stage, a live audience
was seated, waiting for their performances to begin at the Grand Theatre. But training
and skill kicked in as the 49 nervous students from 7 schools took to the stage
to show their families and friends all they had learned during the Grand Youth
After School Program.
The ongoing Grand Youth program provides performing arts
enrichment to junior high and high school students through performance and
technical theater summer camps, after-school programs and exclusive student
matinees. Over the course of eight weeks, students learn about acting, improv,
playwriting and directing. To top off the experience, students perform several
plays for their family and friends at The Grand Theatre including dramatic and
comedic skits, sketch comedies and pantomimes.
“The performers unanimously said that they enjoyed
participating in the program and are interested in taking more theater classes
in the future,” said Molly Flores, marketing, PR and outreach coordinator at
Salt Lake Community College’s Center for Arts and Media. “It was an
overwhelmingly positive response from the parents in attendance. Throughout the
performance many parents were recording their children on stage and after the
performance getting pictures with them and congratulating them. The teaching
assistants in attendance commented that it was the best they had seen their
students perform.”
Salt Lake Community College instructors and students lead
the program, which also includes free tickets to matinee performances as a way to
expose the students to quality, professional caliber theater.
The recent showcase featured students from Northwest Middle
School, Entheos Academy from Kearns and Magna, Clayton Middle School and
Glendale Middle School. Students involved in the showcase commented, “I enjoyed
creating plays and acting them out,” “It was amazing and I wish it was longer,”
and “I loved it! Thanks for the experience.”
