June 30, 2014

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Webster Theatre Guild’s SYTE Program for the 2014 Summer Session. This summer’s participants will be learning about all aspects of theatre by preparing and performing the musical “The Wedding Singer”! We are very excited to have your participation in this year’s program!

The staff that will be working with your children this Summer will be:

Brynn Tyszka, Artistic DirectorBrynn is thrilled to be involved in SYTE’s production of The Wedding Singer. A graduate of Nazareth College, she earned a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in performance and directing. Locally, Brynn has performed with Blackfriars Theatre, Downstairs Cabaret, and at the JCC Centerstage. Professionally, Tyszka has performed with regional theaters such as GEVA (Rochester) and Playhouse on Park (Connecticut), and on national tours with both ArtsPower and NETworks. Directing credits include, SYTE 2013’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, Assistant Director for Melissa Rain Anderson during Nazareth College’s production of Where’s Charley?, and Director of The Coors Lights and Lebensraum, both in Nazareth College’s Black Box. Brynn has also been lucky enough to have experienced the role of Producer both locally and in New York City. She currently offers private sessions as an acting coach.

Jason Holmes, Music DirectorJason enjoys a professional life full of teaching, performing, and music directing/accompanying in Western New York. Highlights include touring with The Calamari Sisters as music director; performing the roles of Newt, Conley, Riley in Parade; and bass soloist in Handel's Messiah. Jason is the vocal director for musicals at Sutherland High School in Pittsford and Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. He has also worked with students in RAPA's summer programs.As an educator, Jason teaches vocal and general music at French Road Elementary School in Brighton and directs the Young Children's Chorus at the Eastman Community Music School. Additionally, he has offered music education workshops and co-taught at the Eastman School of Music.A versatile teacher and performer, Jason holds degrees from Ithaca College and the Eastman School of music in music education and vocal performance. He is thrilled to bring his talent, knowledge, skill, and passion to the Summer Youth Theatre Experience!

Mandi Lynn Griffith-GurellMandi Lynn Griffith-Gurell graduated from SUNY Brockport with a BFA in Dance. Since then she has interned in a New York City theater company, choreographed numerous high school musical productions and owned and directed her own dance studio. Currently, she is a Zumba Fitness instructor and appeared in the last two major musical productions at JCC CenterStage, where she recently served as assistant choreographer. This summer she will be seen in Webster Theater Guild's production of Jekyll and Hyde.

REHEARSALS

This year’s program will begin July 7th and run through August 16th, with performances on Thursday August 14th and Friday August 15th at 7:30 PM in the Thomas High School Auditorium. Rehearsals will be Monday through Friday from 7-10 PM, also in the Thomas High School Auditorium. We will have a sign in sheet where students are required to check in each day. If someone other than yourself will be picking up your child at the end of the day, please send a note with this information. If your child will not be able to attend camp on a certain day, please call Scott Shutts (Producer) at 585-355-0872 before 10 PM the night before or after 7 AM the day of. If you know your child will have to miss camp due to a vacation, please let us know as soon as possible as this will assist us in planning for our rehearsals.

This year, we will be offering a Chicken BBQ dinner prior to our Friday evening performance!! It will begin between 5 and 5:30 PM. The price is $10 which includes: Chicken, 2 side dishes and water. So that we may have an estimate on how much chicken we will need, please come prepared the first night of rehearsal with an estimate for the number of dinners you anticipate ordering.

WHAT TO EXPECT

There will be a brief welcome and orientation for parents and students at the beginning of rehearsal on July 7th. Then the creative team will take over and give their opening remarks.

After that, rehearsal begins! The first two weeks of rehearsals will require full cast participation for the full three hours. These rehearsals will be focused on learning the music for the show, and the Director may pull students from learning music to begin scene work and character development as needed. If needed, we can supply each student with a copy of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the show in order to facilitate learning their music on their own. They will need to provide a blank CD for this.

Beginning with the third week of program, blocking, and scene work, and character development will become the focus with students being pulled as needed to review music. Students should be prepared to be off-book for music as soon as possible once blocking begins.

Additional information regarding rehearsals, call times, and schedules will be communicated as needed (almost daily) via email from the Directors. Please pay close attention to this information!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at sds015d@gmail.com or 585-355-0872. We look forward to an exciting and rewarding six weeks!

Sincerely,

Scott ShuttsProducer, The Wedding SingerWTG Board of Directors