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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Capital Repertory Theatre announced today that the members of the 2011 S.T.A.R. Company will perform<B><I> Of Texts and Turtles</I></B><I></I>, an original book musical, on the Capital Rep stage, August 5 - 7. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Twenty-four students ranging in ages from 12 to 18 have developed this original work based on the theme of Social Media.<SPAN LANG="en"> S.T.A.R. (</SPAN></FONT><SPAN LANG="en"><B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">S</FONT></B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">ummer</FONT><B> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">T</FONT></B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">heatre</FONT><B> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">A</FONT></B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">t the</FONT><B> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">R</FONT></B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">ep) is a 5-week intensive initiative that enables area youth to explore the world of theatre. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Using improvisation, music and dance,</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><I> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Of Texts and Turtles</FONT></I></B><I></I><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> tells the story of Erica, "the new girl," who tries to fit into the baffling social network of her new high school. This daunting task is made even harder as Erica is harassed by her cyber-bully cousin Janelle. Viral pics and impassioned YouTube videos collide as Toby, the geeky boy who loves Erica from afar, rallies the whole school to foil Janelle's nastiness. Of course, love triumphs over all. Under the direction of Michael Burns and a staff of young professionals, the S.T.A.R Company has worked together within the disciplines of writing, costume and set design, dancing, acting and singing to develop what will be showcased on Capital Rep’s stage. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Established 14 years ago by Capital Rep’ Producing Artistic Director, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, the S.T.A.R. programs have served more than 500 children of the Capital District and help to further the careers of young actors. Most recently, two members of the S.T.A.R. Company were featured in Capital Rep’s production of</FONT><I> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> during the 2010-2011 season: Aaron Steck (Ralphie) from Albany and Anna Stoneman (Helen), Loudonville. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">In his first year as S.T.A.R.’s Playwright/Director, Michael Burns leads the acting troupe in developing and shaping the original book musical. Burns, the Artistic Director of the Mop & Bucket Co., has specialized in developing new theatre pieces with youth for many years for such organizations as The American Folk Theatre, Very Special Arts, CAPTAIN of Shenendehowa, Shenendehowa Advocates for Gifted Education, Home Made Theatre, and Steamer 10, among others. The rest of the S.T.A.R. staff includes: Musical Director Elizabeth “Cookie” Sears (2<SUP>nd</SUP> year); Acting Coach Patrick Kiernan (1<SUP>st</SUP> year); Choreographer Celeste Hudson (1<SUP>st</SUP> year); and Christopher D. Lawton (1<SUP>st</SUP> year). Overall coordination for STAR is provided by Capital Repertory Theatre Education Coordinator Laura W. Andruski.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> “I am so excited to be presenting this year’s S.T.A.R. program.” says Laura W. Andruski, Education Coordinator for Capital Repertory Theatre. “The 2011 company is an amazingly talented and diverse group of 24 individuals who have come together as an ensemble to create an original work based on the theme of Social Media. These dedicated students have committed themselves to a rigorous rehearsal process and crafted some very funny and often intuitive scenes that highlight the human condition.”</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The performance schedule is as follows: Friday, August 5 at 4:00pm, Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 am and Sunday, August 7 at 2:00pm. All performances are FREE and open to the public. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">No reservations or tickets are necessary. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman">House will open for general seating 30 minutes prior to curtain. Performances will last approximately one hour.</FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Laura W. Andruski</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Education Coordinator</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Capital Repertory Theatre</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">111 North Pearl Street</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Albany, NY 12207</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">p. 518.462.4531 x410</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">f. 518-881-4531</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">e. education@capitalrep.org</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="file://www.capitalrep.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">www.capitalrep.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN>
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