On Thursday, June 28 at 4:00, the DramaRama actors will perform their own production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. The DramaRama program, a mentor program for special needs actors was started last year by Melody Libonati, the artistic director of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. In an effort to offer our whole community the opportunity to be in a production, the DramaRamas was begun. These actors, ages 8-18, are cast in a role in the production. STONC’s college interns and the professional actors in the main production of THE WIZARD OF OZ mentor them.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to be a part of giving our DramaRama actors an experience on stage in a full production”, explained Melody Libonati. “Everyone involved goes away with a new appreciation of what theatre brings to an individual and to a community.”
The Rubber Band, a rock band from STAR, Lighting the Way directed by Nancy Armstrong will perform songs before the performance. In addition to support from the professional actors, the professional design and production staff of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan aid the DramaRamas with sound, sets, lights, and stage management. Support from the Rotary Club helped to make this program possible and to offer the performance free to the public.
The DramaRama program is part of the Summer Theatre Festival produced by the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. The festival includes main stage shows, MY FAIR LADY (June 15-July 7) and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNOCOLOR DREAMCOAT (July 14-Aug 5), theatre for a Young Audience productions of THE WIZARD OF OZ (June 17-Aug 4) and PINKALICIOUS (July 4-Aug5), the “Stars of Broadway and Summer Theatre” (July 23) and the Junior Company’s production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (July 27).
For more information, you may call the Summer Theatre of New Canaan at 203-966-4634 or www.stonc.org
