Christmas Is Comin' Uptown Opening Night a Success!

Directed by Ms. Paulette D. Harris

Musical Director Mr. Frazier Thomas Smith

Choreographed by Ms. Linda Barr

Christmas Comin Uptown Full Cast
(missing Iyanna Coleman)

Hettie Kirk, Tamiya Walker, Layla Springs and Zeriuah Shadwick
"Santas Elves"

Shawn Robinson
"Scrooge"

Shaye Lynn Davis, Syreeta Yelverton and Roslyn Davis
"Dynamic Trio"

Malik Springs
"Christmas Future"

Brandon Gaines
"Santa"

Zjahfek Kirk
"Christmas Present"

Quanaejah Miller and Sierra Johnson
"Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Cratchit"

Kchyri Kirk
"Christmas Past"

Christopher Ferguson
"Vocalist"

Monet Seabury and Devine Jones
"Technical  and Costuming Assistants"

Za'Chai Kirk and Majid Elbert
"Young Boy and Tiny Tim"

Layah Fortune
"Costume Assistant"

Layah Fortune, Devine Jones and Iyanna Coleman
"Costume Assistants"

Tahleef Kirk
"Minister"

Photos by Mr. Andre Shadwick

 "Internationaldre"

Rehearsing for the Big Day!!

Hattie Kirk- Moore, Tamiya Walker,
Layla Spring and Zeruiah Shadwick

Layah Fortune, Devine Jones
and Iyanna Coleman

Majid Elker, Brandon Gaines
 and Zachai Kirk

Malik Springs

Quanaejah Miller and
Shawn Robinson

Roslyn Davis, Syreeta Yelverton
and Shaye Lynn Davis

Zjahfek Kirk

Monet Seabury

Sierra Johnson and
Quanaejah Miller

Tahleef Kirk

Quanaejah Miller

Shawn Robinson

Shaye Lynn Davis and
Kchyri Kirk

Dancing in Drama Class with Ms. Linda Barr

Ms. Linda Barr shared some dancing moves with the students. They usually warm up before learning new choreography moves. The students had lots of fun loosening up their bodies to some trendy music.

Interviews Part 2

Students on the Blog !!!

Damani Washington writes:

 This is my first year in the program. So far i have participated in Drama and lights and so far I like them both and look forward in participating in other classes. I am learning how to improve on my speaking skills and memorizing lines.

Serria Johnson writes:

 At the AACC I am taking a theater class, I am having a lot of fun at the center. What i expect to get out the program is some new skills, for example, I expect to learn new skills about lighting, sound, stage design, digital arts and costuming. I am looking forward to reading scripts and becoming new characters.

Layah Writes:
 This class is so fun and i take the set designing class, lighting class , and the acting class. I cant wait for the play Christmas is coming uptown, I'm going to do the lighting for the play after that we are going to learn the sound. My favorite class is lighting.

Zjahfek Kirk Davis writes:
 In the Theater Arts Program of the AACC, You learn  lot of things like, lights stage and video. What I wan to get of these classes is to be a better person. I like the program it stands out above the other programs. I really like the class and the teachers.

Interviews with students and Instructors

A word from the students

Over the few weeks we asked the students to share what they like about the program. Here is what they have said.

Za'chai kirk Moore wrote: 

" I like to be behind stage, this is my first year here. I want to be behind the stage because I am nervous to be in front of people on the stage. This is going to be my first time on stage".

 

Malik springs wrote:

"This year the class is larger, and their are a larger range of activities this year, including. Lighting, Media, Drama, Set Design and Costumes. I have Done the Theater Arts class since last year, What I look to get out of this class this year is being better at learning my words, and being a better actor, not just on stage but behind as well."

Hettie Kirk wrote:

"this is my first year being on stage, and my first year being in a play. The Theater Arts Program is good for me, I hope that what i get out of the program is, Media, Stage and Video skills. I like the theater and reading."

"I am Quanaejah Miller and I am a member of the Theater Arts Program. I'm looking forward to better learn how to improvise while also learning to become a better actress for instance: learning to portray a character. I like the choreography class that I  am taking because it gets my blood flowing and my energy. This year i am taking up Lighting, Digital Art and Technology and getting into our characters more."

Kchyri Kirk Wrote: 

"This is my first year, I plan to gain skills to be a better actor. My strength is to be the best I can be, my challenge is to go on stage and not get stage freight. I also what to be in all the plays I can be in.

TAP Students pose for Photo Op!

Many thanks to the Exchange Students from China who are currently attending Medaille College - Vicky Chen, Melinda Li and Clair Shi for coming out and volunteering their time to assist with the Theatre Arts Program. Also, A special thanks to Ab James Patterson who offers assistance weekly to the students and instructors.

Fun with Green Screens

Digital Technology class under the direction of Mr. Andre Shadwick discusses performing in front of stage lights and cameras. The students were fortunate to have stage and film veteran Mr. Stephen McKinley Henderson present to share some of his first hand experiences. During the class students were given 30 seconds to discuss who they are and how the world perceive them. Mr. Shadwick will utilize the video shot during this exercise and show students how manipulating digital technology can add great tools and production value to a quality of work. He will superimpose objects and images on the green screen to add an additional layer to the dialogue the students were speaking.

Theatre Arts Students attend "Crowns"

The Theatre Arts students attend the Paul Robeson Theatre production of "Crowns" on Sunday, September 30, 2012. The students assisted the PRT staff with operating the concession stand, ushering and passing out the playbills. They also remained behind and spoke with the cast and technical staff about their respected responsibilities during and after the production.

ON STAGE, BEHIND-THE-SCENES THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH THIS FALL AT THE AACC

(Buffalo, NY)  The African American Cultural Center (AACC) is offering two theater-based programs for young people this fall under the direction of AACC Paul Robeson Theatre Artistic Director Paulette D. Harris.

“As the AACC moves toward its 55^th year we continue to provide a strong core of historical

and cultural educational programs that support our mission as gatekeeper for urban generations.   As we evolve we are embracing new technology and technology standards to apply to our enrichment programming,” Harris said.  

The AACC Theatre Arts Program (TAP) – funded for a second year by a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – includes instruction in stage presence, lighting design, set design and construction, costume design, blocking, and digital technology for students ages eight to 18.   Classes are held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.  In addition to Harris as administrator, instructors are Andrew Hunt (light design), Linda Barr (drama), Andre Shadwick (digital technology), Annette Christian (costume design) and Fred Pascolini (set design).

AACC-TAP provides participants with the tools necessary to become technologically competitive in the arts arena. The curriculum incorporates current social media trends among young adults, and helps students to feel confident and comfortable expressing creative and artistic goals through the use of theater and digital communications.

The program helps participants become more proficient in the use of technology as it applies to the arts, and become stakeholders in strengthening the future of arts and culture in Western New York. AACC-TAP also helps parents form stronger communication bonds with their children, which in turn strengthens parental interactions with other childcare providers, according to Harris.  

“Last year students learned how to make costumes from scratch, recorded a CD, learned to utilize sound effects in a stage production, and worked on the set design for the PRT production PRT Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” she said. 

“Some students become better communicators by using the skills they learned in the TAP drama class.  We received a lot of positive feedback, and the video blogs submitted by the students, parents and educators allow community stakeholders to learn firsthand about the far-reaching benefits of the program.” 

Tuition for the AACC-TAP is free, but space is limited.  More than 25 students participated in the program last year.