ARTICLE
Media Contact: Jeremy A. Jackson Imagination Stage [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Celebrating the past, creating the future: imagination stage turns 40 Imagination Stage marks 40 years of imagination, creativity, and fun with a day of free classes, performances, and more. Saturday, September 7, 2019 BETHESDA, MD (August 19, 2019). Imagination Stage kicks off its 40th anniversary season with a day of fun for the whole family on September 7, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Imagination Stage’s 40th Birthday Party will feature sample education classes, performances of Balloonacy – a production from its Theatre for the Very Young series, behind the scenes tours, displays of costumes from the theatre’s history, photo ops, crafts and activities, and – of course – cake. In honor of this milestone, County Executive of Montgomery County, Marc Elrich issued a proclamation in recognition and appreciation of 40 years spent enriching the lives of children through arts education programs and professional theatre. This proclamation recognizes that Imagination Stage allows children the opportunity to nourish their creative spirits; inspires them to embrace the complexity and diversity of their worlds; and helps them to overcome challenges with hope, courage, and creativity. Imagination Stage’s 40th Birthday Party is free, but pre-registration is recommended for sample classes and Balloonacy performances. More information available at imaginationstage.org/birthday-party. “When this organization was created as a PTA project in an elementary school, we never imagined that 40 years later, it would be an acclaimed national institution,” says Founder and Executive Director Bonnie Fogel. “We are honored that today Imagination Stage is a beloved and integral part of the community which welcomes and applauds all artistry, abilities, and talent by empowering ALL young people to discover their voice and identity through the performing arts.” Imagination Stage was founded as BAPA (Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts) in 1979 in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. The company was renamed Imagination Stage in 2001 in anticipation of its move to the downtown Bethesda theatre arts center in 2003. Imagination Stage has grown from a handful of children in a single classroom to a full-spectrum theatre arts organization, with theatre productions by professional actors and artists. The company is renowned for its extensive commissions and international theatre work. Since the founding of the professional theatre in 1992, Imagination Stage has received 11 Helen Hayes Awards and 61 nominations. “40 years marks a time for celebration and reflection for Imagination Stage,” says Janet Stanford, Founding Artistic Director. “Like an oak, our arts organization has grown from a small acorn into a tree with branches that reach out widely with our mission to serve all children. Through education, accessibility & inclusion, professional theatre, and community outreach we now serve more than 100,000 children, families, and educators annually. We are proud of our accomplishments, but mostly we look forward to growing bigger and better over the next 40 years. We can’t wait to inspire creativity and courage in the generations of children to come.” During these 40 years, Imagination Stage’s performing arts education programs have grown to more than 150 camps and 250 classes offered each year covering a range of disciplines including acting, musical theatre, dance, early childhood, and digital media. Imagination Stage is also a leader in the DC region with custom tailored in-school residences that explore academic subjects through the arts. Imagination Stage’s 40th Anniversary season highlights the best of the past 40 years and looks toward the future with a world premiere commission. The company is remounting two critic- and audience-acclaimed past productions – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2013 Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences) and Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth (2009). Looking toward the future of theatrical storytelling, the world premiere of Thumbelina from acclaimed playwright Natsu Onoda Power will delight audiences with innovative multi-media storytelling. Rounding out the season, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience bring the best of children’s literature off the page and onto the stage. Imagination Stage’s 40th Anniversary Season The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show September 28 – October 27, 2019 (Best for Ages 3+) Created by Jonathan Rockefeller Based on the books of Eric Carle Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe November 23, 2019 – January 5, 2020 (Best for Ages 5+) Original concept by Kathryn Chase Bryer, David Palmer, Janet Stanford, and Septime Webre Libretto and lyrics by Janet Stanford with additional lyrics by Bari Biern Music by Matthew Pierce Based on the book by C.S. Lewis Directed by Janet Stanford Choreographed by David Palmer Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth February 8 – March 22, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+) * In Repertory with Thumbelina By Psalmayene 24 Music by Nick “tha1da” Hernandez Directed by Raymond O. Caldwell Thumbelina February 15 – April 5, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+) * In Repertory with Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth Written and directed by Natsu Onoda Power Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience June 24 – August 9, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+) Script and lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks la Puma Based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed Published by Hyperion Books for Children Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer Tickets: $15, $25, $35+ imaginationstage.org/40th_anniversary_season/ LOCATION 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814 Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is free on weekends Metro: Red Line/Bethesda Station SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/ImaginationStage Twitter.com/I_Stage Instagram.com/imaginationstage ABOUT IMAGINATION STAGE Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire creativity through theatre and arts education programs that nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities. It offers year-round professional theatre for young audiences and classes in creative drama/acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. Visit imaginationstage.org. ###
Media Contact:
Jeremy A. Jackson
Imagination Stage
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Celebrating the past, creating the future: imagination stage turns 40
Imagination Stage marks 40 years of imagination, creativity, and fun with a day of free classes, performances, and more.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
BETHESDA, MD (August 19, 2019). Imagination Stage kicks off its 40th anniversary season with a day of fun for the whole family on September 7, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Imagination Stage’s 40th Birthday Party will feature sample education classes, performances of Balloonacy – a production from its Theatre for the Very Young series, behind the scenes tours, displays of costumes from the theatre’s history, photo ops, crafts and activities, and – of course – cake.
In honor of this milestone, County Executive of Montgomery County, Marc Elrich issued a proclamation in recognition and appreciation of 40 years spent enriching the lives of children through arts education programs and professional theatre. This proclamation recognizes that Imagination Stage allows children the opportunity to nourish their creative spirits; inspires them to embrace the complexity and diversity of their worlds; and helps them to overcome challenges with hope, courage, and creativity.
Imagination Stage’s 40th Birthday Party is free, but pre-registration is recommended for sample classes and Balloonacy performances. More information available at imaginationstage.org/birthday-party.
“When this organization was created as a PTA project in an elementary school, we never imagined that 40 years later, it would be an acclaimed national institution,” says Founder and Executive Director Bonnie Fogel. “We are honored that today Imagination Stage is a beloved and integral part of the community which welcomes and applauds all artistry, abilities, and talent by empowering ALL young people to discover their voice and identity through the performing arts.”
Imagination Stage was founded as BAPA (Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts) in 1979 in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. The company was renamed Imagination Stage in 2001 in anticipation of its move to the downtown Bethesda theatre arts center in 2003. Imagination Stage has grown from a handful of children in a single classroom to a full-spectrum theatre arts organization, with theatre productions by professional actors and artists. The company is renowned for its extensive commissions and international theatre work. Since the founding of the professional theatre in 1992, Imagination Stage has received 11 Helen Hayes Awards and 61 nominations.
“40 years marks a time for celebration and reflection for Imagination Stage,” says Janet Stanford, Founding Artistic Director. “Like an oak, our arts organization has grown from a small acorn into a tree with branches that reach out widely with our mission to serve all children. Through education, accessibility & inclusion, professional theatre, and community outreach we now serve more than 100,000 children, families, and educators annually. We are proud of our accomplishments, but mostly we look forward to growing bigger and better over the next 40 years. We can’t wait to inspire creativity and courage in the generations of children to come.”
During these 40 years, Imagination Stage’s performing arts education programs have grown to more than 150 camps and 250 classes offered each year covering a range of disciplines including acting, musical theatre, dance, early childhood, and digital media. Imagination Stage is also a leader in the DC region with custom tailored in-school residences that explore academic subjects through the arts.
Imagination Stage’s 40th Anniversary season highlights the best of the past 40 years and looks toward the future with a world premiere commission. The company is remounting two critic- and audience-acclaimed past productions – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2013 Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences) and Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth (2009). Looking toward the future of theatrical storytelling, the world premiere of Thumbelina from acclaimed playwright Natsu Onoda Power will delight audiences with innovative multi-media storytelling. Rounding out the season, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience bring the best of children’s literature off the page and onto the stage.
Imagination Stage’s 40th Anniversary Season
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show September 28 – October 27, 2019 (Best for Ages 3+)
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller Based on the books of Eric Carle
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe November 23, 2019 – January 5, 2020 (Best for Ages 5+)
Original concept by Kathryn Chase Bryer, David Palmer, Janet Stanford, and Septime Webre Libretto and lyrics by Janet Stanford with additional lyrics by Bari Biern Music by Matthew Pierce Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Directed by Janet Stanford Choreographed by David Palmer
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth February 8 – March 22, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+) * In Repertory with Thumbelina
By Psalmayene 24 Music by Nick “tha1da” Hernandez
Directed by Raymond O. Caldwell
Thumbelina February 15 – April 5, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+) * In Repertory with Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
Written and directed by Natsu Onoda Power Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience June 24 – August 9, 2020 (Best for Ages 4+)
Script and lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks la Puma Based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed Published by Hyperion Books for Children
Tickets: $15, $25, $35+ imaginationstage.org/40th_anniversary_season/
LOCATION
4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is free on weekends
Metro: Red Line/Bethesda Station
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/ImaginationStage Twitter.com/I_Stage Instagram.com/imaginationstage
ABOUT IMAGINATION STAGE
Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire creativity through theatre and arts education programs that nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities. It offers year-round professional theatre for young audiences and classes in creative drama/acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. Visit imaginationstage.org.
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