Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 16, 1992 TAG: 9202140227
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF DeBELL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE TRIES A NEW APPROACH TO REACH THE STUDENTS
Mill Mountain Theatre has given up its free monthly play readings for students. Thanks to state cuts in education spending, there are no audiences; schools can no longer afford to bus the kids to the theater at Center in the Square.This has been a disappointment to the theater, which prides itself on its educational programs. But it isn't giving up. Since the students can't come to the theater, it will go to the students, especially during the run of "The Piano Lesson."
August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama opens Feb. 28. It's about being black in the United States, and it fills the "classic" (read, serious theater) slot for Mill Mountain's 1991-92 season.
This outreach program is designed primarily for seniors at Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools. Jo Weinstein, the theater's literary manager, conducted training workshops during the fall for the teachers whose English, drama and history classes will be involved. Last week, she visited the classes to talk about the play with students.
This week, costume designer Ann Toewe and technical director John Sailer will discuss lighting and scenery, props, costumes and other technical aspects of the play with the students. Next week, Mill Mountain artistic and executive director Jere Hodgin and members of the cast will go into the classes to perform parts of the play and answer questions about it.
Finally, the classes will attend a full performance of "The Piano Lesson" at the theater.
Mill Mountain also is exploring outreach activities for Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke College and North Cross School.
Special morning performances of "The Piano Lesson" on Feb. 25-26 are open to area school systems at a cost of $7 per student. It's an opportunity to expose students to a professional production - one of the first outside New York - of one of the most important works of the modern American theater. School officials are advised to take part if they possibly can find the wherewithal.
Curley Ennis has been named coordinator for the VIDA Arts Project.
VIDA uses the arts to help teach living skills such as self-discipline, communication and critical thinking. Funded by the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley and carried out in coalition with Delta Sigma Theta sorority, TAP, Roanoke City Schools and other parties, VIDA currently is a pilot program for sixth- and seventh-graders at Addison Middle School.
Ennis is well-known as a folk singer and musician. He works extensively with youngsters and is experienced in arts education.
The Docent Guild of the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts, which has been out of the craft show business since 1989, will bring back the annual museum fund-raiser on the weekend of Sept. 19-20.
Instead of being at the Roanoke Civic Center, which is where the guild shows used to take place, Craft Expo '92 will be in Elmwood Park. The show is intended to become an annual event.
"We felt we wanted something totally different," said Karen Wilson, who is co-chairing the project with Barbara Moeller. In opting for the outdoor show, she said, the guild will draw on its years of experience in carrying out the annual Sidewalk Art Show as part of Festival in the Park.
Applications for the juried show are being accepted. Craftspeople should call the museum at 342-5760 for more information.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, headquartered at 111 W. Campbell Ave. since 1989, will be moving.
"We're looking at other options for office space and other options for rehearsal space," president James Arend told fellow directors at the board's last meeting.
Arend said the owner of the building, Malcolm Rosenberg, has asked the orchestra to vacate by the end of the year. The orchestra uses the building rent-free in return for keeping it up. It also carried out extensive repairs and remodeling before moving in.
Opera Roanoke is headquartered at the same place and is expected to move along with the orchestra if suitable arrangements can be made.