LOWVILLE — A new summer theater workshop for Lewis County high school students will be offered next month.
The three-week program, sponsored by Lowville Academy and Central School and Mountain View Prevention Services, will be held weeknights from 6 to 9 p.m. July 7 to 25 in the school auditorium.
A production of "Into the Woods Jr.," an amalgam of classical fairy tales, written by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, will be presented the evening of July 25.
"It's going to be a really fast turnaround," said Arlene S. Hall, Mountain View's executive director and a member of the Lowville Academy Board of Education.
The new program will be patterned after SuperStage, a daytime summer theater program now conducted by the Lowville, Beaver River and South Lewis school districts with assistance from Mountain View. SuperStage began at Lowville in 1991.
Lowville SuperStage directors Penny Jay and Cynthia Graves also are organizing and directing the evening workshop.
"The success of the summer SuperStage program for several years inspired both Mrs. Jay and Mrs. Graves to try a production open to older students," a Mountain View release said. "Drawing on students from all of Lewis County schools will give students a chance to learn from and help each other."
The SuperStage program typically draws elementary and middle school pupils, many of whom become involved as part of a summer recreation program, Mrs. Hall said.
The sessions are being held in the evening to allow those with summer jobs during the day to participate in the program, she said.
There is no cost to participate in the program, open to students entering grades nine through 12 this fall.
Auditions will begin this week. Anyone interested in auditioning or obtaining more information is asked to call Mrs. Jay at 376-7644.
The new program would be especially beneficial for those considering a career in acting or theater, Mrs. Hall said.
"If it's something they want to pursue after graduation, any stage experience they have is certainly to their benefit," she said.
