Puttin' On Productions, a youth theatrical production company, is opening "Footloose", the musical, on April 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on April 21, 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach 90277. For more information online www.puttinonproductions.com. Pre-sale tickets are $16 purchased online http://www.shop.puttinonproductions.com/main.sc
HERMOSA BEACH, Calif., April 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puttin' On Productions brings together rising TV and Film stars to perform the hit Footloose at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse on April 19 -22. This is not just any community theater, in fact, the close proximity to Hollywood provides audiences a unique opportunity to check out up and coming actors already primed by the silver screen and TV. It's like seeing Zac Efron when he started at age 11 in community theater, before his leap to the big screen. Even Kevin Bacon, the original "Footloose" star, got his start in theater. He recalls doing one theater production before "Footloose" with then unknown actors Sean Penn and Val Kilmer.
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The "Footloose" actors in POPs are one casting call away from stardom. Young local TV actors like Cameron Boyer, recently on ABC's "Body of Proof", and Kaylee Bryant, recently on "American Horror Story", have a local stage to invite their fans to see them live acting, singing and dancing. Kaylee already has a fan base of inspired child actors wanting to know how she crossed over into television. Kaylee has been singing, dancing and modeling since she was eight years old. She rose to become the tween "face" of Ralph Lauren for seven seasons. On television, she has worked with renowned Ryan Murphy, Executive Producer of Glee, when she played on the hit show "American Horror Story" and Jim O'Doherty, Producer of "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Grounded for Life", when she guest-starred as Carrie on Disney's XD hit series "Kickin It".
Her passion for musical theater has landed roles in such plays as "13 the Musical" at the Norris Center for Performing Arts and Janet Van De Graaf in "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Hermosa Beach community theater. When asked why she does theater, Kaylee says, "I love the immediate reaction I get from a live audience and theater helps me to hone my craft."
Audiences love to know actors and pop singers on their way up that is why shows like "Glee" and "American Idol" are so hot. Cameron has his own rock band and when auditioning for "Body of Proof", he landed an expanded role that led to getting his whole band on the show. As a lyrist and lead vocalist of his band, Cameron writes songs for his band and solos for himself. His combination of star quality talents on screen and stage bring to mind Justin Timberlake who also got his break at Disney and also had a boy band 'N Sync.
"My dream is to have a major record label pick up my songs and maybe I will also get a leading role in a television show or motion picture", Cameron says.
POPs is so important to both Kaylee and Cameron because theater conditions them to perform without that second or third take they get in television. They have to rehearse and perfect for the live audience. These two stars will be a dynamic duo in Footloose but are also joined by a cast of bright, young and very talented actors who will at the very least inspire others in their community to enjoy the performing arts. Especially in a day and age when live performance of music and theater is waning in the public school system. This kind of inspirational talent is fantastic for youth to experience the magic of theater but also learn how theater can translate to the big screen and vice versa. For more information on Kaylee and Cameron visit www.IMDB.COM
About PUTTIN' ON PRODUCTIONS
PUTTIN' ON PRODUCTIONS ('POPS') is a premiere nonprofit production company founded in June 2007 to introduce youth to the performing arts. Our goal is to provide excellent family entertainment while creating a comprehensive and exciting production experience for our students. POPs is the only theatre company in the South Bay to offers separate divisions for all ages to experience: Our Mini POPs Division (5-9 yrs), Rising Stars Division (9-13 yrs), and Mainstage Players Division (14-20 yrs). Those with a true desire to perform are encouraged to audition regardless of prior experience. Formed in 2006, the company has grown dramatically and now features a multifaceted and eclectic group of performers, bringing together a wide variety of skills woven into a tapestry of dance, drama, and music.
About POPS Founder/Executive Director
Julia Hayes Mirkovich founded Puttin' On Productions to answer her true calling to teach children the performing arts. Since her youth in Iowa, she loved to dance and trained at the Academy of Dance Arts (ADA). By age 17, she began teaching at ADA. While training in dance, Julia also cultivated her talents in voice and theater. She made the decision to move to LA to pursue a professional career in performance arts. Eventually Julia landed principle roles in such shows as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Bayedere, and various other original contemporary works with Rocky Mountain Repertory Ensemble and Youth Ballet Colorado. Her performance credits in theater and film include A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, A Christmas Carol, Anything Goes, American Gun with James Coburn, commercials and more. Her industrial credits include Nike, Everlast, and Red Bull, just to name a few. Her choreography, production and youth directorial credits include The Nutcracker, Kiss Me Kate, The Boyfriend, Vaudeville is My Home, South Bay's Most Talented Kids, The Wiz, and POPS on Broadway.
About POPS Artistic Director
An instructor/choreographer for over thirteen years, Hazel holds a BFA in Dance from San Jose State University and trained with Mary Carbonara, Fred Mathews, Janet Van Swoll, Gary Masters and Robert Moses. Miss Clarke has an extensive experience in a number of dance styles, including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. In the dance competition circuit, Miss Clarke has choreographed for various dance teams in California, including Fusion Dance Team and West High School in Torrance, The School of Dance and Music in Hermosa and Redondo Beach, Redondo High School in Redondo Beach, and Homestead High School in Sunnyvale. Recent awards include Top Choreographer for Hall of Fame 2009 and Starpower 2009 in California. Musical Theatre choreography credits include Gypsy & The Boyfriend with Kings & Clowns Theatre Company, Aladdin with Broadway Bound Players, and The Wiz, POPs on Broadway-a Musical Review, Seussical, Aladdin, and Day One, an original multimedia production with POPs Theatre Company.
About POPS Musical Director/Mini POPs Director
Megan Lyne eagerly joined POPS in the Fall of 2009. Megan taught enrichment classes in both public and private schools in Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Westchester, and Hawthorne. She has directed numerous children's theater shows including Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and High School Musical. Her passion for the arts, performing and teaching, is reflected in almost every aspect of her life having stemmed from her musically oriented family. Megan earned her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from Carthage
College (Kenosha, WI) where she studied with Dr. Richard Sjoerdsma, editor of the National Journal of Singing. She began her singing career with leading roles in musical theater. Some of which include The Music Man, The Fantasticks, Grease, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Schoolhouse Rock. Most recently, Megan has turned her direction towards the world of opera with roles in Die Fledermaus, The Medium, Trial by Jury, Cosi fan tutte, The Mikado, and La Clemenza di Tito.
