Are you an Ariel or an Ursula? How about King Triton, Prince Eric, or the sidekick lobster Sebastian? Journey "under the sea" in Ariel’s adventures with her aquatic friends! Westport Summer Teen Theater (WSTT), in partnership with Westport Continuing Education, presents its 15th summer camp, and production, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR.” Auditions will be held on Tuesday June 11 from 3:30 - 5:30pm at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue in Westport, CT. The rehearsal schedule begins on Monday, June 24 and runs through Friday, July 19 from 9am - 3:30pm at Saugatuck Elementary School (SES) at 170 Riverside Avenue in Westport. The performances will be presented at SES on July 18, 19 and 20 at 7pm and July 20 at 2pm.
WSTT is a fun, action packed theatrical camp. Join our award winning production staff and high school counselors as you embark on a month long journey under the sea as a performer or a tech crew member. Led by Director Ryan Smith, with Music Director / Assistant Director Brett Boles, and Choreographer Lisa Mennilli, campers will learn the musical score, rehearse scenes, and learn fun and challenging choreography. Campers also assist with the technical aspects of building a show, from set painting to costume preparing and prop building. All of this hard work will culminate in a four performance weekend from July 18-20, surrounded by friends and family.
One parent commented on the program, “[Our son’s] face lit up on stage and the pure joy flowing through him was palpable. This production was professional from the costumes to the sets. If your child even shows the slightest interest in the performing arts we strongly suggest you explore this summer theater program as an option. It is truly the best!”
Director Ryan Smith is a Westport native and co-director of Bedford Middle School’s Bedford Acting Group alongside Karen McCormick. He is owner of the video/photography company RPO Theatrics. A performer in his past, Ryan performed in national tours such as Robin Hood, South Pacific and countless local productions. In 2008, Ryan was featured on NBC’S choir competition show Clash of the Choirs. Ryan also spent many years performing on various albums as a session singer and, as a singer-songwriter, performed and produced his own album, By My Side. Ryan is happily settled in Trumbull with his wife Elisa, who directs theater productions at Long Lots Elementary School in Westport, and their son Parker.
Music Director / Assistant Director Brett Boles is an award-winning musical theatre composer, actor, and author. He performed on Broadway with the original production of Les Miserables, and co-conceived From Broadway With Love: a Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook performed at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, CT and later aired on PBS. Brett is a member of the Tony-honored BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and a proud member of the Dramatist Guild. His work has been performed by Tony Nominees Jeremy Jordan and Josh Young, as well as many other of Broadway's finest. Since 2013, Brett has also served as the director for the summer productions at the Trumbull Youth Association, and won the 2015 CHSMTA award for music direction. During the school year, Brett is the Director of Choirs at Hall High School in West Hartford, and lives in Newtown with his wife Caitlin and two sons, Owen and Jameson.
Choreographer Lisa Mennilli has been owner and director of the Lisa Mennilli Dance Academy, of Newtown, Connecticut, for the last 43 years. She has choreographed over 50 productions in community theater throughout the region, including Fiddler on the Roof, Sound of Music, Mame, My Fair Lady, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Aladdin, and Seussical the Musical. Her students have gone on to professional careers in television, major motion pictures, and on the Broadway stage. Her Competitive Dance Company has garnered such awards as Dancers of the Year, Overall Grand National Champions, as well as winning over 3,000 first place awards for Outstanding Achievements in Dance. Students and graduates have been awarded scholarships to participate in many prestigious dance and theatre programs across the U.S. Lisa is the proud recipient of awards for “Outstanding Choreographer,” and “Teacher of the Year.”
The WSTT program or Tech Crew is $775 for the four week program. Westport residents and non-residents are invited to participate at the same cost. The program must be paid in full before auditions on June 11. Everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Students should participate only if they will accept any role assigned. For more information and to register, visit Westport Continuing Education’s website at https://www.westportcontinuinged.com or call 203-341-1209.
Westport Continuing Education (WCE) provides high quality educational and enrichment programs to the residents of Westport and Fairfield County, annually serving nearly 6,000 adults and kids with over 700 programs. Classes, workshops, and camps are offered throughout the year after school, in the evenings, and on weekends for adults and children. WCE is a division of Westport Public Schools, whose mission is to empower and inspire students to reach their full potential as lifelong learners and socially responsible contributors to our global community.