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Spotlight - CCTS Opens New Black Box Theater
Camden County Technical Schools held a ceremony to dedicate its new Black Box Theater on April 14th at 3 pm at their Gloucester Township Campus. The area dedicated to Performing Arts is over 4,800 square feet and includes a 2,500 square foot Black Box performance space, plus a spacious construction scene shop, dance studio, storage facility, and catwalks for the lighting and sound crew. The space is handicap accessible.
Across the hall is a 3,750 square foot space dedicated to the new Instrumental Music Academy opening in September under the director of Mr. Ryan Hewitt.
"The carpentry students at CCTS were involved in assisting with steel stud framing, installing insulation, installing and finishing drywall and moldings, installing doors, setting floor tile, building the countertops, and painting," said James Kay, carpentry teacher.
"This was an extraordinary hands-on experience for the students. They worked side-by-side with working professionals including our own buildings and grounds crew who did a terrific job. We are very proud of the finished product," said Dino Acevedo, supervisor of buildings and grounds.
As you enter the Black Box, guests will find the ticket booth and then enter the theater through double doors surrounded by a 12' x 10' custom black and white mosaic featuring the Greek comedy/tragedy masks. The mosaic was designed and constructed by Art Teacher Veronica Hicks and the artisans in her class.
"We are so excited to be moving into our new Black Box Theatre. Our Performing Arts Academy will have a truly professional space for all of our productions," said Terry Bles, performing arts instructor.
"We have over 40 LED lighting instruments that have multiple-capabilities. All lighting effects will go through a computer program called Light Jockey. Our sets will be constructed in our adjoining Scene Shop. We also have an adjoining dance studio so all rehearsals can flow smoothly from studio to stage. With the black box, we have infinite choices as to how to set up our performance and audience spaces," she said.
The Performing Arts Academy is in its third year and consists of 37 high school students who reserved their spots after a lengthy audition process. "Although the main focus of the Performing Arts Academy is on acting, it also provides students with instruction in a variety of movement and vocal techniques," said Ms. Bles.
It offers students comprehensive college preparatory high school training that includes: acting (improvisation, scene study, monologue study, characterization, and the classics); voice and diction; movement; musical theater; theater history, and professional and career development.
The student's experience is comprised of: classroom instruction; auditions, production, writing, yearly performance assessments, and a unique partnership with Camden County College. "Research suggests a direct correlation between involvement in music and the arts and increased mathematics, critical thinking and language arts skills," said Bles. "Most of our students plan to continue training at the college level after they graduate."
Besides carpentry, other career programs at CCTS such as graphic arts, printing, cosmetology, business, electric, video production, and fashion design are also integrated into Performing Arts. This skill set is the prerequisite for entry into, and success in, today's highly competitive post-secondary education and professional theater vocations. These skills prepare the student not only for a career in theater, but for vocations including, but not limited to, radio, film, television, education, communications, and arts administration.
The Music Academy at CCTS will begin in September 2011 and will be led by Music Instructor Ryan Hewitt." In response to the need for a continuation of instrumental musical instruction at the high school level, we have decided to begin this new program," said Dr. Albert Monillas, superintendent. "Students who are creative, self-motivated, and wish to succeed in the highly competitive world of music should apply." This program will prepare students for a career in music education and/or performance.
Students are required to take courses in music theory, history, and technology as well as perform in large ensembles, such as wind ensemble, jazz band, and choir, throughout their four years. Select students in the Music Academy may also have opportunities to perform in ensembles, such as brass quintets, woodwind quintets, percussion ensemble, pit orchestras, Region III/All-State Bands, and a fully staged musical production.
Students will also be encouraged to compose and perform their own music. Students have the opportunity to earn college-transferable credits while in high school, and ultimately will acquire skills in preparation for the audition process and entry into an advanced college music program for performance, teaching, technology, or composition.
Applicants from all over Camden County may audition to study and perform at the Performing Arts and Music Academies.
"Due to the success of the program, Performing Arts will also be offered as a career program at the Pennsauken Campus next year," said Dr. Monillas. "Participants will refine and enhance their skills with each other and with the outstanding certified faculty and guest artists who join them; this ensures that students receive the highest quality instruction and education available." Several performances that are open to the public are offered each year, including the summer months when the 21st Century students from both campuses train and perform.