| | Published February 26th, 2014
| Students Learn from the Pros
| | Submitted by Kristen Correll |  | | Performing arts students gather on the Campolindo High School stage during the Feb. 14 event. Photo Provided |
Sixty performing arts students from the Acalanes Union High School District spent a few hours at Campolindo High School Feb. 14, even though they could have had a day off, to participate in a Q & A presentation with Krysta Rodriguez ("SMASH," "First Date," "Addams Family") and Jonathan Bernstein (artistic director of the Performing Arts Project, New York director/artist, and faculty member at NYU). The event was hosted by Campolindo Music Director Mark Roberts, and was sponsored by The Performing Arts Project.
Roberts was pleased to be able to offer this program to students in the AUHSD, saying, "I am always thrilled to have professional performers speak with our students and put real flesh on the concepts we consistently strive to achieve."
The Performing Arts Project is a not-for-profit organization formed by a group of respected educators and entertainment industry professionals to help prepare the next generation of performers. Bernstein noted that, "This place (The Performing Arts Project) dedicates itself to being a three-week laboratory whereby you have the freedom to be yourself. We truly prize process over product. If we do our jobs well, I believe there will be better shows on Broadway and on television, and better films in our theaters. But to my mind, the ultimate goal is there will be better friendships and happier marriages."
The AUHSD has many talented performers and there was no shortage of questions in the hour and half spent with Rodriguez and Bernstein. As the students prepare for their upcoming school performances, many questions focused on how to create the best performance possible for the audience. Rodrigues shared with the group that understanding the characters while making them authentically unique would be a winning combination. Campolindo High School will showcase "Urinetown the Musical" in March, Miramonte High School will perform "Shrek," and Acalanes High School is preparing to do "Guys and Dolls." (See related story page A1.)
You can learn more about The Performing Arts Project by visiting www.performingartsproject.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA