LAMusArt’s inaugural Playmaking show features two volumes of original plays written by eleven students (ages 9-11) and performed by over twenty adult actors.

We are always expanding and evolving our lessons to better serve the East LA area and get local artists involved in our mission.”

— Manuel Prieto, LAMusArt Executive Director

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, November 27, 2017 — The Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt) announces its first ever Playmaking show, FIRST CLASS: THE INAUGURAL PLAYS, to be held at the University of Southern California’s Scene Dock Theatre on Monday, December 4. “FIRST CLASS” will feature two volumes of original plays written by eleven LAMusArt students (ages 9-11) and performed by over twenty adult actors. An array of accomplished performers, directors and designers will join the organization in mounting this special show.

Playmaking is an innovative program in which young students learn the fundamentals of playwriting over the course of ten weeks, resulting in a live and fully-produced performance of the student-written plays. Playmaking is the third program to be added to the Drama department at LAMusArt, accompanying a weekly acting class, and an annual five-week summer arts enrichment program, Camp MusArt.

“After seeing the response from our summer enrichment program and our acting course, the needs and wants for more opportunities in drama discourse were apparent. We are always expanding and evolving our lessons to better serve the East LA area and get local artists involved in our mission,” said Executive Director, Manuel Prieto.

During the first seven weeks of the 10-week session, students concentrate on the academic approach to dramatic writing, focusing on the concepts of character, narrative, dialogue and stage directions. At the end of the seventh week, students apply the skills they’ve learned to create an original play and lyrics to an original song at Play Day. Perhaps one of the most exciting experiences of Playmaking, Play Day, is a day-long retreat where students will put their newfound knowledge of dramatic writing to work. Each student will be paired with an adult dramaturge who will serve as the student’s mentor, helping to guide them through their creative writing process. Once the plays are written, professional actors are assigned to each play, and rehearse with an adult director and an adult composer. At the end of the rehearsal process, students will have the opportunity to see a realized version of their original plays and songs performed and directed by adults.

Modeled after a similar program of the same name from The 52nd Street Project in New York City, Playmaking is an experiment in equitable and collaborative storytelling and a way for students to have a unique experience of success. This academically enriching program teaches important life skills in tandem with writing skills.

The kid playwrights for FIRST CLASS: THE INAUGURAL PLAYS are Abraham Aguiar, Aubrey Arias,Enzo Chavez, Diamond Fierro, Helena Minguet, Ethan Neal , Natalia Rosales, Sayer Uribe, Alice Weiss, Margaret Weiss, and Diana Zayas.

The adult dramaturge/directors are Burton Chaikin, Judy Chaikin, Sarah Cho, Alejandra Cisneros, Patricia Garza, Anton Handel, Luke Kanter, Jonathan Munoz Proulx, Maria Pasquarelli, Pia Shah, Nathan Singh, Armando Torres Pina and Ashley Wellman.

The adult actors include Lauren Blumenfeld, Chae Chaput, Kate Chindlund, Ben Crutcher, Cole Cuomo, Dylan Dawson, Alisa De Los Santos, Evan Enderle, Andrew Erath, Holley Fain, Cecilia Fairchild, Delanie Fischer, Corey Johnson, Andrea Limon, Vella Lovell, Frank Martinelli, Jake Minton, Pia Shah, Caitlin Stegemoller and Armando Torres Pina.

The composer is Austin Chanu. The Lighting Designer is Will Chandler. The Costume Designer is Manuel Prieto.

This program is supported in part by the Awesome Foundation and the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation, along with key supporters at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. FRESH START is a one-night-only performance on Monday, December 4 with Volume 1 at 6:00pm and Volume 2 at 7:30pm. Tickets are now on sale at www.LAMusArt.org/Playmaking.

About LAMusArt
The Los Angeles Music and Art School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to provide the community of East Los Angeles, specifically its K-12 population, with equitable and affordable access to multidisciplinary arts education programs. We aim to provide opportunities for underserved youth in East LA to partake in high quality arts instruction regardless of race, gender, aptitude, or financial standing so they are afforded creative tools for success and social change.

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CONTACT:
Manuel Prieto
Executive Director
LAMusArt School
323-262-7734

Sharon Jennings
Spectacle Media PR
323-839-5903
email us here

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