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PIRATES OF PENZANCE
GLOUCESTER TWP. — A 19th-century operetta might not seem like it belongs on a stage at Camden County Technical Schools. But while last weekend's production of "The Pirates of Penzance" in the county's only black -box theater may seem as topsy-turvy as the comic creations of Victorian-era Brits Gilbert and Sullivan, the county's technical high school hopes to assure residents that it's really not strange at all.
In fact, the school's 21st Century Summer Performing Arts Academy -- staffed by teachers and free to CCTS students, including incoming freshmen -- is an all-too-hidden gem at the Sicklerville campus.
An outgrowth of the school-year Performing Arts Academy, it is among an increasing number of nontraditional programs aimed at attracting youth to what used to be known as county vocational technical schools."We're not your grandfather's vocational school," said Anthony DePrince, CCTS' project director.
While medical arts and pre-engineering may not seem like a stretch from traditional vo-tech programs like drafting and machine technology, it comes as a surprise to many that fine arts are carving a niche, too.
CCTS's Performing Arts Academy, entering its fourth year in the fall, has more than 40 students enrolled -- admitted after a lengthy audition process. It offers comprehensive college-preparatory training that includes acting, voice and diction, movement, musical theater, theater history and professional and career development.
It also provides opportunities for other CCTS students specializing in more traditional programs such as carpentry, graphic arts, printing, cosmetology, business, electric, video production and fashion design.
"Students in the program get an appreciation for other shops within the school. They see a different way to apply their skills and can branch out into other opportunities," performing arts instructor Terry Bles said.
"I love this program," said June graduate Ashley Donegan, 18, a Somerdale resident who played pirates' maid Ruth in CCTS's "Pirates of Penzance" and will continue studying performing arts at Rowan University.
"It's taught me so much. Theater is hard work, but really rewarding," she said.
Fellow graduate Joseph Cannizzo, 18, of Sicklerville, played Major General Stanley opposite Donegan and said performing arts at CCTS has prepared him for a prelaw major at Rutgers-Camden.
"I've always wanted to be a lawyer -- at least, after I wanted to be a chef -- and this program helped me with public speaking. I'm a lot more outspoken and outgoing now," Cannizzo said.
DePrince said academy-type programs are catching on in technical high schools as more parents encourage their kids to seek post-secondary education.
"Nontraditional vocational programs can be very beneficial in that students may learn a little differently than they would in a traditional high school. Focusing on career helps them do better in school and provides an alternate pathway to college," he said.
Bles said students are motivated to excel because they cannot participate in the school -year performing arts academy or the summer edition if their academics are not up to par.
"Research suggests a direct correlation between involvement in music and the arts and increased mathematics, critical thinking and language arts skills," Bles said. "Most of our students plan to continue training at the college level after they graduate."
CCTS's black-box theater occupies 2,500 square feet of performance space. There is nearly as much adjoining space for a set construction shop, dance studio, storage facility for props and costumes, a dance studio, sound-and-lighting booth and catwalks, and a box office.
The black box features a movable stage that can be adapted to different productions with seating for up to 190. Construction began last summer and was completed in April, with about 30 of the high school's carpentry students working alongside its own buildings-and-grounds crew and outside professionals who installed the lighting and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
"Black-box theater is a trend in high schools," said DePrince, who looked at black boxes at Richard Stockton College, Rider University and The College of New Jersey before CCTS's project started.
"It's multipurpose, more flexible, and much more cost effective."
Construction cost about $450,000 including materials and professional labor, but would have cost much more without student participation, he noted.
While students from throughout the county are eligible for the performing arts programs in Sicklerville, their success coupled with limited capacity is leading to expansion of the school-year academy to the Pennsauken campus this fall. There, students will utilize that facility's traditional auditorium and stage.
The summer academy ran for five weeks this year, culminating with three public performances of "Penzance" and a special matinee for daycare tots who attend CCTS' early childhood center.
The summer theater program included breakfast and lunch as well as transportation.
Students were instructed by CCTS staff and professors from Camden County College, a program partner. It was funded by a 21st Century Learning Centers grant that also supports extended school-day learning experiences during the school year in conjunction
with the county college.
The grant, awarded by the New Jersey Department of Education, provides $535,000 to the school annually for five years. Besides funding the Summer Arts Academy and a summer Student Leadership Academy that drew 30 students, it also allows CCTS students to take college courses at Camden County College during the school year.
Without the grant, the summer program would cost families about $1,200 per student, DePrince estimated.
Upstairs in the sound-and-lighting booth overlooking the black box this summer, CCTS music teacher Ryan Hewitt oversaw a number of students focused on the technical aspects of the production.
Rising sophomore Matthew Koch, 14, of Clementon, is a pre-engineering major interested in a career in aeronautics.
"This will look good on my resume, and I know I can work with stuff like this," Koch said.
Michael Avato, 15, of Sicklerville, an incoming freshman, worked the lighting panels. "I was bored (at home) and this was something to do. It's been fun so far, and I've been learning a lot," he said.
Across the hall from the black box is a 3,750-square-foot space dedicated to CCTS's new instrumental music academy opening in September.
Led by Hewitt, the program also required auditions and will open with 15 students. Courses will include music theory, history and technology, and participants will perform in ensemble groups, pit orchestras, and regional and all-state bands.
Reach Barbara S. Rothschild at (856) 486-2416 or barothschild@camden.gannett.com
Parcial reprint from CourierPostonline.com August 3, 2011
Source: http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108030334