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Description:
Mount Saint Charles Academy’s Fine Arts Summer Program Presents For the First Time, Shakespeare on the Mount.

Woonsocket – Working in association with the Mount Saint Charles Fine Arts Department, Shakespeare on the Mount’s production of The Taming of the Shrew is an effort by Jason Robert LeClair (Mount alumnus from the Class of 1992) to grow a love for classical theater in young adults ages 13-21. This year’s company comes from 6 high schools and 12 towns throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as 6 colleges in the US.

Shakespeare on the Mount is an extension of the summer camp that Mount’s Fine Arts Department hosts every year for students from any school who are entering grades 5-10. Members of the summer camp can create schedules of 6 daily classes, choosing from over 100 courses in: art, drama, dance, and music as well as other areas of interest such as science challenge, photography, Norse myths and legends, and badminton.

LeClair, who is also a teacher at the Mount summer camp and a faculty member of the Beacon Charter School, uses his 13 years of teaching experience to engage the creative minds of the young artists that choose to join the company. He said, “My philosophy is two-fold: instill a love of classical theater in each member of the company; facilitate a community of inspiring cooperative creation.” Using Shakespeare as a platform for this philosophy, the company members use all of their individual talents and gifts to aid in the creation of an art piece of the highest caliber. Whether a member of the tech crew or an actor, all hands work on every aspect of the production. On any given day of set building, actors can be seen alongside the tech crew screwing together set pieces or painting backdrops. In the same way, tech members aid actors with memorization of lines and come to rehearsals they are not required to attend simply to get a better idea of what they need for the show.

To inaugurate this company, LeClair has edited and adapted the script with care and scholarship to hold true to Shakespeare's meter and comedic intent. The young adults involved in the production come from a wide variety of theater backgrounds. Some are seasoned veterans of the stage (RI State Drama Festival award winners are among them) as well as newcomers to the theater arts. The level of all of the company members is enhanced by the education they share with each other and the direction and casting provided by Mr. LeClair.

The Taming of the Shrew will be performed in Mount’s Bell Tower Theater (800 Logee Street, Woonsocket) on July 12th -14th at 7.p.m.; July 15th at 2:00 p.m.; and July 19th – 21st at 7:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10; $8 for seniors; and $5 for students. For reservations, please call 401-769-0310 (please note the school will be closed July 2nd – 6th) or email jasonrobertleclair@gmail.com.

There are also openings still available for Mount’s summer camp. The camp dates are July 16th – 27th Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4p.m. Go to http://mscfinearts.com/SumCamp.html for more details.

Posted by Penny Federici on 7/3/2012

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