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.