HOUSTON, March 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Starting its 19th year, The Ensemble's Young Performers Program is still going strong. The YPP is an exciting summer program that affords thousands of Houston-area children participation in an exceptional program that combines arts, education, creative dramatics, and live theatre performance experience.
The stars shine bright deep in the heart of Texas! Several graduates of the YPP have started to make their way in the entertainment world. DeQuina Moore was a student of the YPP and is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts -- Collaborative Arts Program with a degree in Musical Theatre. Since graduating from NYU in May 2002, DeQuina has appeared in 13 commercials and one feature film, Camp, directed by Todd Graff (opened July 21, 2003). She is currently working on her debut album and making her Broadway debut in Little Shop of Horrors. Another YPP graduate, Andre Jones was ecstatic when Houston's Alley Theatre produced his play Street Corner two years ago. Three current students made CALL BACKS for the upcoming season of CBS' Star Search from hundreds who auditioned. They are awaiting their next audition.
The Ensemble Theatre's Young Performers Program is currently enrolling students in its two summer sessions. The YPP gives youth an exciting summer of firsthand experiences in acting performance, audition techniques, theory, jazz, African and modern dance movement for actors, introductory vocal music performance technique, costume, set and lighting design. The YPP emphasizes to students that jobs behind the scenes in theatre are just as important as performing on stage.
Session I will begin June 1 and end June 26, 2004. Session II spans July 5 to July 31, 2004. Both sessions are four weeks long Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuition is $475.00 per child for each session. For an additional fee of $100 per session, an Extended Day of creative and recreational activities is available Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
YPP students participate in a theatrical performance at the close of each session before a family audience. Space is limited and openings are based on availability. Scholarships are available. Call The Ensemble Theater at 713-520-0055 for additional information.
Founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins, The Ensemble Theatre has brought a whole generation of Black theatergoers into this visual art form. The mission of The Ensemble Theatre is to preserve the African American artistic expression, enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. The Ensemble is considered the largest theatre that presents a full season of classic and contemporary in-house productions, devoted to works representing the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The Ensemble has the distinction of owning and operating its own facility, boasting a main stage auditorium with seating for 200, an arena stage that seats 125, and a performance hall that accommodates 500 people.