October in the Little Theatre

     October was a busy month in the Little Theatre. It started with a poetry performance by PYPM (Philly Youth Poetry Movement) on October 12^th. PYPM are recent champions of the largest spoken word competition, Brave New Voices. They presented Harcum students with original poetry and provided them with a unique experience in spoken word. To see pictures from this event, please visit our face book page and check out our album from PYPM’s performance.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.188245627918729.46592.150963464980279&type=1



The crew of PYPM



     The month also included our “iAm” Art and Design Show. The show began on October 22^nd in conjunction with Harcum’s Homecoming weekend and ended on October 27^th.  The show contained original artwork from students in our fashion and interior design programs along with students in our photography, 2-D drawing and fashion illustration classes.  As part of the show guests were given the opportunity to participate in a collaborative art project. A table was set up outdoors with a variety of paint colors and guests were free to let their creative juices flow on their individual canvases.

     The show also contained a tribute to Steve Jobs who inspired the vision behind the art show. His words of wisdom were displayed for guests to see and reflect upon.  To view pictures of the art show click on our facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.192337350842890.47490.150963464980279&type=3

One of the displays during the "iAm" Art and Design Show.

    The month ended with a recital given by the students of the Harcum Medley Music  School.  Parents and friends of the students enjoyed a variety of music from 12 – 4 PM on October 30^th. For more information on Harcum Medley Music, please visit their website at www.harcummedleymusicschool.com.

Stay tuned for more events!

Chosen Dance Company Rocks the Little Theatre

On Tuesday, September 20^th Chosen Dance Company brought down the house in the Little Theatre. Several members from Chosen came out to the Little Theatre and provided the audience with an education in Hip Hop dance. The room was packed with students, faculty, staff and onlookers even peering in through the windows. 

The night began with an introduction by Chosen founder, Clyde Evans. He spoke about different types of dances that have influenced hip hop as we know it today. An energized crowd clapped along as the Chosen dance crew took them through Breakin’, House and even Animation, while enjoying old school Hip Hop music. 

Clyde also spoke about the foundation of Chosen Dance Company and its goal to bring a new reputation to Hip Hop dance. They strive to present Hip Hop culture in a positive manner, communicating a message of self-expression, anti-violence and positive attitudes.   At the end of their performance they left the audience with these words “Love and respect equals peace for everyone.” 

The performance was followed by a dance workshop lead by Evans, and former America’s Best Dance Crew contestant, Jon Bulack. During the workshop students were given the opportunity to learn the foundations of hip hop dance. 

For more information on Chosen Dance Company and upcoming performances, please visit their website at www.chosendance.com

Chosen Dance Company founder,  Clyde Evans, performing.

Students are educated in the basics of Hip Hop dance.

Chosen Dance Company members: Justin Valentine(left), Founder, Clyde Evans  (center, back), Dave Dorsaima (center,front) and Jon Bulak (right)

Little Theatre's First Performance is a Success!

On Thursday, September 8^th the doors of the Kevin D. Marlo Little Theatre opened up for its first performance.  The show was very well received by all in attendance. It was an emotional night filled with moving accounts of a day none of us will ever forget. 

The Kevin D. Marlo Little Theatre is named after an aspiring actor who lost his life in the attacks on the World Trade Center. His parents, Dennis and Karen Marlo were in attendance. To honor Kevin's memory and with this year marking the 10 year anniversary of the attacks, the Little Theatre presented its audience with a very special performance. Local actors, along with members of the Harcum community, joined together in presenting With Their Eyes.

The night began with an introduction by the coordinator of the Little Theatre, Laurie Plaza, who spoke about the production.  With Their Eyes is the accounts of students, staff and faculty who witnessed the events of September 11^th from the windows of Stuyvesant High School, located four blocks from ground zero. This meant that on the morning of September 11^th hundreds from the Stuyvesant community saw the planes hit, saw people jumping from their office windows and saw the towers fall. As a way of coping with what they had experienced, several students from one English class set out to capture the stories of classmates, staff and teachers.  They took the interviews and edited them into poem-monologues, making sure to keep them as authentic as possible.  In the end, what these students did was create a very poignant piece of art. 

Introductions were also given by Harcum College president, Dr. Jon Jay DeTemple and Dennis Marlo. The play ran for about an hour and a half with a short intermission. The full cast included local actors, Lindsay Merkel, Thomas Dinardo, Esther Snyder, Jamie Singer along with Harcum members Crystal McCray and Carol Greenwood. 

A special thanks to all those who contributed in making this a night to remember!

Check back soon for the video of With Their Eyes. Here are a few photos from last night.

Thomas Dinardo as Juan Carlos Lopez, School Safety Agent

Jamie Singer, left, getting ready to perform her monologue.

The cast of With Their Eyes stands with Dennis and Karen Marlo.

The First Season of the Kevin D. Marlo Little Theatre

The Kevin D. Marlo Little Theatre is excited to have its doors open for the 2011-2012 season. This year, students and community members will be exposed to a variety of artistic performances from many local artists. At the moment, the Little Theatre is gearing up for its first performance. Members of the community and Harcum faculty have come together to perform a selection of monologues from the play With Their Eyes.

With Their Eyes is a series of monologues that capture the firsthand stories of a day none of us will ever forget. It is an eye opening docu-drama created by students who saw the events of 9-11 from the windows of Stuyvesant High School, located only a few blocks from the World Trade Center. As a way of coping with the tragic events that occurred on 9-11, students documented their thoughts and feelings into monologues and performed them for the first time several months later. 

This September 11th marks the 10 year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Our presentation of With Their Eyes is our way of remembering and honoring all of those who lost their lives on and after 9-11. We hope that you will join us for this very special performance.

There is limited seating available. To reserve your spot, please RSVP to lplaza@harcum.edu by September 3rd. For more information on Harcum's Little Theatre, please visit www.myharcum.com/LT.