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Curio Theatre Company Makes University City Its New Home Curio Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 professional nonprofit theatre company, will be moving into a new home at 48th and Baltimore Avenue in University City this summer. Entering into a partnership with Calvary Center for Culture and Community (CCCC) based at 801 S 48th Street, the company will launch a theatre school, outreach program and performance series within Calvary Center, beginning this spring with the Calvary Arts Festival, May 6-21. Curio Theatre will run a Summer Theatre Camp for children from July 5-30, and start a fall semester of classes for children and adults on September 17. Outreach work has already begun at Lea Elementary School with funding from the University of Penn and the Graduate School of Education. University City District (UCD) has also funded two scholarships for local children to attend July’s summer camp. Next year’s season, taking place at the Walnut Street Studio 5 Theatre, and transferring to Calvary Center, will include Macbeth, The Frog Prince, Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Carlo Gozzi’s King Stag. Call 215-525-3150 for details. CCCC and Curio Theatre Company are currently campaigning together to raise capital funds to renovate the empty church Sanctuary within Calvary Center, to turn the space into a fully operating theatre venue within three years. The Theatre Company will temporarily share performance space in Calvary Chapel with many existing users: Crossroads Music Series, and four congregations, including the first Jewish Synagogue in University City, among others. Curio’s founding company members, Gay Carducci, Paul Kuhn, Aetna Gallagher, Jared Reed and Keren White bring theatre to University City with a mission -
About Curio Theatre CompanyCurio Theatre Company was founded in 2001 by Gay Carducci, Paul Kuhn, and Jared Reed. The three had been working together for almost ten years at Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley, PA and had discovered and developed their shared love of classic works and educational theatre during that time. Also veterans of Hedgerow Theatre, Aetna Gallagher joined the company in 2003, and Keren White in 2004, when the company became registered 501c3. Curio began as a touring company serving regional schools in and around Philadelphia and beyond. Since 2002 the company has toured with great success to schools, both nationally and internationally, including many local high schools, elementary schools, Philadelphia University of the Sciences, Temple University, and the University of Oxford, UK. Late in 2004, following receipt of their 501c3 status, the company began to look for a permanent home in Philadelphia from which to base inner-city outreach programs and classes, as well as a performance venue, to which they could bring audiences and schools. Their search led them to University City, where they are now in the process of moving into Calvary Church, at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in partnership with Calvary Center for Culture and Community (CCCC). This will be Curio’s first year operating from a firm base, housing theatre offices and rehearsal space, from which to run classes for all ages, outreach programs, and administrate a full 2005-6 season of performances. The company is currently working to raise over $1 million in capital funds to convert the historic sanctuary within Calvary Church into a fully operational theatre in the heart of University City. In the meantime, they will launch their first season at the Walnut Street Studio 5 Theatre, transferring the shows to Calvary Center, beginning August 2005. Introducing Our PeoplePaul Kuhn (Artistic Director) is a graduate of the acting program at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. In Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Paul has appeared in many productions for Stephenville Festival, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador. Since moving to Pennsylvania he has performed on many occasions at People’s Light, Hedgerow Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, and Interact. He is also a skilled theatre technician and worked as Technical Director at the Wilma Theatre for some years, and with the drama department at The Laurenceville School, NJ. Jared Reed (Artistic Director) is a graduate of the Juilliard School in Drama. He has appeared Off-Broadway at The Roundabout and starred in The Woman in Black at the Minetta Lane. Some of his regional theatre credits include Seattle Repertory, McCarter Theatre, Yale Repertory, the Huntingdon, The Old Globe in San Diego. His most recent regional performance was at the Walnut Street Theatre in The Philadelphia Story. Jared worked as lighting and sound designer for ten years at Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley, PA and has also taught summer drama programs for the past ten years. He has written and directed many shows at Hedgerow Theatre and for Curio, including Great Expectations, The Iliad, and The Hanging. Keren White (Managing Director) is a graduate of Oxford University, England. In Oxford she produced and acted at theatres including The Oxford Playhouse, the Old Fire Station Theatre, the Moser, and the Burton-Taylor Theatre. She produced and program directed The Oxford Greek Festival 2004, in the UK, to which Curio Theatre Company brought their adaptation of The Iliad. Keren has worked as the Personal Assistant to the Artistic Directors at the Oxford Playhouse in England and at Hedgerow Theatre, PA. She has also worked in project management, and in corporate marketing and promotions. As a musician Keren has toured throughout Europe, Mauritius, and South America with choirs and orchestras over the past 10 years. Gay Carducci (Education Director) has had extensive experience in theatre education and children’s theatre, as head of Hedgerow Theatre School for over a decade and as a drama teacher for over fifteen years. She has also directed extensively for both Curio and Hedgerow Theatre Company, as well as in schools. Most recently she directed Curio’s production of Macbeth for the Hadley Foundation, and she is currently directing Media Friend’s School through A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Aetna Gallagher (Production Manager) is a graduate of the acting program at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Aetna was a resident company member of Hedgerow Theatre for many years. She has worked in Canada as a Costume Designer for The Ships’ Company Theatre, Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, Acadia University and Alive Theatre Company. She has also done production work for The Atlantic Theatre Festival and Mermaid Theatre. Aetna has enjoyed teaching many classes and workshops in both Acting and Costuming. What we have on OfferCurio Theatre SchoolSUMMER CAMP 2005Curio will run two-week Theatre Summer Camps for the entire month of July at 48th and Baltimore, for age groups 6-9, 10-13, and 14-18.
Early drop-off and pick-up is available for parents needing it. Cost per session is $475, all materials included.
The camp will cover acting, music, puppetry, mask work, movement, Shakespeare, scene study, script development and more. Children will focus on a scene or short production that to present to their parents at the end of the course.
Call 215-5665-3150, or email Curio’s education director, Gay Carducci, at school@curiotheatre.org for details and booking arrangements.
FALL SUMMER CLASSES 2005
The fall semester class schedule will be as follows:
Let’s Imagine with Drew Peterson, Ages 6-8, Saturdays Sept 17-Nov 5, 10AM-12noon $175 This class will begin with the basics of theatre, improvisation, movement and concentration games tailored for the very young. Students will then use the new techniques they have learned to create a short work to be presented for friends and family at the end of the term.
Let’s Create with Aetna Gallagher, Ages 9-12, Saturdays Sept 17-Nov 5, 10AM-12noon $175 This class will begin with the basics of theatre, improvisation, movement and concentration games tailored ideally for 9-12 year olds. Students will then use the new techniques they have learned to work on a complete scene or short work to be presented for friends and family at the end of the term.
Singing for the Stage with Keren White, Ages 8-12, Saturdays Sept 17-Nov 5 12.30pm-2.30pm, Tuesdays Sept 20-Nov 8 6pm-8pm $175 This class is for kids who love to sing but also want to incorporate basic acting skills into their songs. Students will work on acting, improvisation and bodywork to support the voice. Most importantly, the class will focus on giving students the confidence to perform in front of other. The last class will include a presentation of students’ songs to the public friends and family.
Young Playwrights with Tim Martin, Ages 13-18, Mondays Sept 19-Nov 7 4.30-6.30pm In this playwriting class we will write performable scenes both individually and collaboratively. With an on your feet approach that is both fun and effective, the course will end with a presentation of the new written work.
Beginning Teen Class, instructor TBD, Ages 13-18, Saturdays Sept 17-Nov 5,12.30-2.30PM $175 This class will begin with the basics of theatre, improvisation, movement and concentration exercises. Students will then use the techniques they have learnt to perform complete scenes or monologues in front of friends and family at the end of term.
Advanced Teen Class with Gay Carducci, Director of Education, Ages 13-18 Saturdays Sept 17-Nov 5,12.30-2.30PM $175 This class will take students with some experience and move them to a new level. The class will include improvisation, theatre exercises, movement, voice, monologue and/or scene study. Students will spend time of character study and dramatic exploration. Family and friends are invited to the last class to observe the finished work.
Comedy Improvisation with Brian McCann, Ages 14 and older, Mondays Sept 19-Nov 7, 7.30-9.30pm $225 This class will introduce students to the fundamentals and beyond. Students will work individually and as a team to build confidence over the 8 week course.
Stage Combat with Brian McCann, Ages 14 and older, Mondays Sept 19-Nov 7, 5-7pm $225 This class will introduce students to the fundamentals and beyond, catering to the level of the individuals throughout the 8 week course.
Adult Acting with Paul Kuhn, Co-Artistic Director, Mondays Sept 19-Nov 7, 7-9.30pm $225 This class will focus on theatre exercises that prepare the body and mind for the fundamentals of acting. Starting with simple physical and mental maneuvers, progressing to monologue and scene study, students will learn to express themselves in a safe, nurturing environment, while learning the rudiments of the actors craft.
Adult Classical with Jared Reed, Co-Artistic Director, Mondays Sept 19-Nov 7, 7-9.30pm $225This class will be an advanced class exploring the techniques required to develop an understanding of Shakespeare and the classic playwrights- voice, body, mind and heart. The class will develop and nurture non-traditional approaches to the classics, while rooting the students with respect for the playwrights’ intention and the art of the theatre as a whole.
Call 215-5665-3150, or email Curio’s education director, Gay Carducci, at school@curiotheatre.org for details and booking arrangements.
CURIO OUTREACH PROGRAMSCurio offers workshops for schools and other organizations, covering all aspects of drama and acting, as well as practical understanding of dramatic texts from Shakespeare to the present day. Curio also offers workshops for schoolteachers on how to bring drama and dramatic texts to life in the classroom, particularly for younger children.
This year Curio is touring productions of The Frog Prince, The Iliad and Macbeth. Schools can also schedule a performance at Calvary Church and bring classes to the venue for a field trip. Curio always strives to keep costs affordable, and to offer funding support where available.
Call 215-5665-3150, or email Curio’s education director, Gay Carducci, at school@curiotheatre.org for details about productions, classes, and booking arrangements.
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONSCurio will run a full 2005-6 Season of four plays starting August 2005.
2005-6 SEASON Macbeth By William Shakespeare Directed by Agatha Carducci Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, Aug 25-Sept 11 2005: Calvary Center for Culture & Community, Sept 12-Oct 2, 2005 Frog Prince Adapted by Jared Reed Directed by Jared Reed; Musical Director: Paul Kuhn Calvary Center for Culture and Community, Nov 21-Dec 11 2005 Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy By Douglas Adams Directed by Jared Reed Calvary Center for Culture & Community, Feb 13-March 5 2006: Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, March 9-26 2006
King Stag By Carlo Gozzi Directed by Jared Reed Calvary Center for Culture & Community, May 8-May 21 2006: Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, May 25 -June 11 2006
Children’s TheatreIn addition to The Frog Prince and King Stag which are children’s and family theatre offerings, Curio will also begin running weekly performances of children’s and family stories every Saturday from September 2005-May 2006, at Calvary Center for Culture and Community.
Call 215-5665-3150, or email the box office at Company@curiotheatre.org for prices and booking.
__________________________________About Calvary CenterCalvary Center for Culture and Community (CCCC) is housed in the landmark 1906 Calvary United Methodist Church building at 48th & Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia. The Calvary building, congregations, and groups using the center serve over 5,000 community members yearly, acting as the "town hall" for one of the nation's most vibrant and diverse communities, with a mission to
Groups using Calvary Center include the local community association, Twelve Step programs, the historic preservation society, various arts and cultural activities, peace and social justice organizations, educational classes, and several religious congregations, including the first Jewish synagogue in University City.
A new partnership with professional 501(c)3 Curio Theatre Company is the latest exciting development in a recent history of amazing success stories of the growth and expansion of the Center and its activities.
A beacon for all of West Philadelphia since 1906, the church building fell into serious disrepair in the 1970s and 80s as no single congregation was sizeable enough to maintain the facility as a singly operating church. Funding and management disappeared, until local community members rose to the challenge of rescuing the beautiful historic building and resurrecting it as a Community and Arts Center. Pulling together over the past decade, leaders in the local community formed a 501(c)3 company (CCCC) and proceeded through their own voluntary efforts to raise funds and build local community involvement to bring Calvary back to life.
To keep the doors open to all members of the community, and to continue supporting the many social and cultural programs taking place here, CCCC is currently aiming to raise $2 million to restore the Calvary church building in its entirety. With support, this cultural and community beacon will continue to grow and develop, bringing more opportunity to the University City area, and more people to the opportunity.
# # # Release Date: Tuesday, May 3rd 2005
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