Costume Design Instructor Annette Teaching Sewing

What a way to get kids creative - introduce them to old fashioned sewing and pattern cutting the foundation of making clothes. It's a required skill that develops great concentration, but don't take my word for it..............

Set Design Instructor shares Painting Insight

Set Design Instructor Fred Pascolini shares his knowledge with the students about the various painting techniques used when preparing a set for a production.....Here is a snippet............. 

Getting to know me

I'm Shaye-Lynn- this is me in a nutshell

I like to do things. I like fruit. Im sick right now. I can't really smell anything at the moment. I have asthma. I like computer design. I sound like a dork, but thats ok. Acting is really cool, I like it, it's fun. Im like 15 born in April, Aries. I play viola, volleyball, basketball, and run track. I dance. I go to school and am good at it, I'm good at walking down the halls too, but not so much stairs. I trip a lot, but only on stairs. I like going on vacation, I go on at least two every year. This year I'm going on 4 vacations. this girl says this class is boring, I somewhat agree, but then again its fun to type about myself. That's me! I love this computer kinda, BYE!


Hello (:  My name is Jayla.

I'm 15 years old, I'm a fashion designer, and I love Frank Ocean and Kit Kats. I am a dedicated blogger, and a very bad singer. I enjoy reading, making bad jokes, and helping people. I'm very humble, but i enjoy telling people about myself, So i am enjoying typing this. I'm a nerd at heart: I enjoy history, English, Science, and Math (When i understand what i'm doing) I enjoy listening and occasionally writing poetry. I love anything with soul such as Hip Hop, RnB, Spoken Word. I really like Turtles and Sloths and Panda Bears. I'm awkward, but people think thats awesome. So, yeah. Awesomesauce. K, Bye.



hi! im malik springs

my name is malik springs and i got to buffalo performing arts! theatre majors! i like all different types of music like; r&b, hip hop, soul dub step, skat, and thats it.  I played christmas future in christmas is comin' uptown.  i don't know what to really say right now, ummm i like acting and music and i a can draw really cool lines. thats it.


Wassaaaaaaap! This is Sir Shawn Michael Edward Robinson

I am a 16 year old junior at City Honors with a passion for the theatre arts! Besides acting, I love singing, writing poetry, and most importantly God. I am very active at Young Tabernacle Holiness
Church. I have been in school musicals since 5th grade, Nakai and the Red Shoes and Christmas is Comin' Uptown at the Paul Robeson Theatre, Inside Out at T.O.Y, A Long Way Home at Theatre for Change, and I'm currently in A House Divided with Mt. Calvary Holiness Church. I would like to pursue a career in acting, or a youth counselor as a fall-back. Yet, Physics is my favorite subject. Would you like to know why? Because it's so awesome! It breaks down the laws of the world, and gives meaning to life....... O.o okay, have a good day......btw, you're awesome for reading this!!! =)


Hello my name is Layah.

I am nine years old.When it's nice out I love to go on fast and high roller coasts. I have to read these stories and I like to color them. At home and school I like  to play this game called Run on 'cool math .com'. I like to play Temple Run 2 and Brave Temple Run !

My name is  Layla

i love to draw i go to school 54. I'm 7 years old. my favorite subject is reading when i grow up i want to be a dance teacher my favorite food is chicken nuggets i love to write anything my favorite color is pink  i like to sew clothes for my american girl doll and my barbies in my free time i like to watch tv my 3 favorite movies are pitch perfect,twilight,identity thief i like to listen to music my favorite game on the computer is mine craft my favorite place is home and thats what i like to do =) <3

My name is Miya,

 I'm 7 years old I'm the best soccer player on the team I can kick 17 goals in one game
My best subject in school is math and social studies  I go to Charter School For Applied Technologies I like Skate Boarding with my Friends and going shopping with my friends and gaming i'm Gamer I<3 Track and My Family  And I'm  the class Clown at school and got the Best Sneakers and My friends text each other me and and we like to go to the mall and have Sleep overs all the time.

Team Devine Commercial "Popcorn Banshee's

Popcorn Bandits are at it again!














Final Commercial....ENJOY!

Concession Commercial With Team Quanaejah

Our project is called "Arizona Samplers".  We took two kids between the ages of 7 and 9 years old and determined which they enjoyed most.  Sample A consisted of iced tea and water.  Sample B consisted of our Arizona brand lemon flavored iced tea.  Both girls enjoyed our lemon flavored ice tea.  Thank You Malik

Zeruiah says "Sample A tasted like rotten fish"
Sample B tasted good it tasted great..I had no words". 

Layah says "sample A did not taste good but sample B tasted amazing".

Final Commercial........ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking notes

This is just a little project we have been working on in the Digital Tech Class i asked the students to give me something about themselves in 30 seconds what they didn't know is when i was recording or not the key idea was to always be ready

Christmas Future and Ghostly Trio

Christmas Future and Ghostly Trio talk some since into Mr. Scrooge.

Fred with Students

Instructor Fred Pascolini discusses with students some set design ideas and historical information related to set design and construction.

Daniels Family Reunion spend time with the AACC TAP

Bessie Patterson and the Daniels Family Reunion Committee spends time with the African American Cultural Center's Theatre Arts Program mini production of Christmas Is Comin' Uptown.

Behind The Scenes of Christmas

From one Thespian to Another

Veteran Actor Alton Bowens stops by to support the TAP mini production of Christmas Is Comin' Uptown. Thanks for your Support Mr. Bowens!

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.