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YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

Directed and choreographed by Sara Bogomolny

October 2018

Academy for the Performing Arts

Scenic design by Ben Needham, Lighting Design by Ben Needham, Sound Design by Richard Ingraham, Costume Design by April Rock, 

Featuring: Blake L., John P., Ashley F., Luke R., Ryan K., Kennedi H., Brian T., Logan J., Nathan P., Ella M., Emmie F., Robby M., Eric G., Roxie P., Logan B., Alizee D., Madeline C., Brynn B., Ruby B., Azariah B., Gilda C., LaBronn C., Zak T., Sophie C., Josalyn B., Anna B., Clare L., Joelle K., Renee J., Gwendolyn F., Aislyn C., Natalya D., Makya M., Devon K.

Photos by Zetzer Photography

DNA

by Dennis Kelly

Directed by Sara Bogomolny

February 2018 at the Academy for the Performing Arts

Scenic design by Caila S., Lighting Design by Jaisa F., Costume Design by Nawal aZ

Featuring: Leo M., Carter K., Eve R., Lily O., Gilda C., Arianna B., Kevin R., Leah R., Loréal W., Luke R., Ashley F.

Photos by Zetzer Photography

HEATHERS

by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe

Directed by Sara Bogomolny

July 2018 at Chagrin Summer Theatre

Music direction by Sarah Dixon, Scenic design by Ben Needham, Lighting Design by Ben Needham, Costume Design by April Rock

Featuring: Joelle K., Chester H., Brenna S., Chad H., Ashley F., Madison C., Ryan K., David M., Charley P., Emmie F., Skylar C., Robert S., Eric F., Austin P., Connor C., Ryan H., Fiona G., Molly M., Liam O., Nya O.

Photos by Gemini Photography

Director's Notes: 

Welcome to Heathers. For those of you, who are familiar with the movie from the 1980s, I think you will pleasantly surprised by the adaptation. For those of you unfamiliar - Heathers explores themes of school violence, suicide, and mental illness. In some instances, the script’s approach to these issues is incredibly problematic. In other ways, Heathers and its conclusion build towards a more understanding, tolerant society. It dreams of a society in which teenagers are free to discuss these taboo and stigmatized topics and are healthier and happier for it. Heathers is certainly a cautionary tale about what happens when these conversations are silenced. Thank you for being here, for supporting these students, and for allowing these conversations a space in our community. 

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN,

CHARLIE BROWN

by John Gordon and Clark Gesner 

Directed by Sara Bogomolny

February 2017 at the Academy for the Performing Arts

Scenic design by Liz S. and Samantha P., Lighting Design by Clarke R., Costume Design by Nikki P.

Featuring: Nick E., Noah P., Tyler L., Emily S., Rachel H., and Danielle D.

Photos by Zetzer Photography

Director's Notes:

 

“I never seem to know what’s going on… Right from the very start, my life has been strange. I think I know what happened… I must have missed all the rehearsals.”

-Charles M. Schulz

 

I am so excited to return to the Academy and begin giving back to the program that shaped me as an artist and a young adult. Even after four years away, I still refer back to old notes from classes, keep in touch with Academy friends, and regard those two years with nostalgia for the theatrical and personal haven the Academy provided.

 

How appropriate to be invited to tell the stories of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! These characters and stories evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for those who have met Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the rest of the gang in the Sunday newspaper or gathered in the family room for holiday TV specials. As these characters and their foibles became familiar so too did their lessons: Charlie Brown’s enduring hope and tenacity, Lucy’s unabashed honesty, and Snoopy’s desire to be treated as an equal, to name a few.

In uncertain times, we often find ourselves reaching out for familiarity, comfort, and humor in our entertainment. These students, who have contributed on and offstage, are so lucky to have the Academy because the ability to tell stories about characters who show us the best and worst of ourselves is not only a privilege, but a necessity. As you are reintroduced to these favorite characters, you will find that they are no longer two-dimensional (literally and figuratively!), but fully human and flawed. I urge you not to take their faults and assets for granted just because they are cartoon characters or because they are children. Rather, I hope that you discover a lesson about overcoming disagreements and insecurities to find that our differences are what ultimately make us happier together.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

by the Ensemble

Directed and conceived by Sara Bogomolny

March 2019 at the Academy for the Performing Arts

Scenic design by Ben Needham, Lighting Design by Ben Needham, Costume Design by Sara Bogomolny

Featuring: Bri M., Natalya D., Rebecca F., Riley F., Deshanté L., Emmie F., Alonna G., Reonna P., Erin W., Sandra Y., Julie K., Kia R., Kathy S.

Photos by Sara Bogomolny

Notes on What Happens Next?:

I developed and conceived this play for the Junior Play Festival at the Academy for the Performing Arts after visiting New York City and attending a performance of The Infinite Wrench by the New York Neo-Futurists.  

I facilitated this group of 13 young women and femme-identifying students in the creation of 31 short plays which make up What Happens Next? Each student contributed to the playwriting and the subject matter ranged from the dangers of hair relaxer, to the joys of exploring one's gender identity, to the horrors of the Holocaust, to the ridiculous and absurd. 

 

In all of the pieces, the students were always themselves, never playing a role. In giving them the opportunity to be themselves onstage, this exercise demanded that these students represent themselves boldly and confidently to audiences of their peers and families.

The resulting piece was full of joy, vulnerability, and great growth for students who had never before had the opportunity to have agency throughout their entire creative process.

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