Reality shows aren’t all bad! (Warning – Scary Images)
I have been excited for a show called Halloween Wars on Food Network, where a cake designer, sculptor, and sugar artist team up to compete for a $50,000 prize. I will admit that my interest is heightened by the fact that an old high school friend of mine and amazing sculpture artist, Andy Bergholtz, is in the competition and is getting to show his very awesome talent on a national stage!
In my opinion, I think these reality shows are amazing advocacy tools. The artists featured in them are often struggling to receive recognition for their amazing talents, and showing them competing together is true entertainment! With the proliferation of singing competitions, dancing competitions, and even the megahit sitcom like Glee, the Arts are finally in a position of mass appeal equal to or possibly surpassing dating and physical competition shows, a real triumph!
If you haven’t already checked out the shows below, make an effort to set your DVR or even try to grab episodes from the internet. More than likely you’ve heard of a few of them, but perhaps some will be a new and welcomed discovery.
Music
American Idol on Fox
The Voice on NBC
Sing Off on NBC
Theatre
Hot Set on SyFy
Face Off on SyFy
Visual Arts
Project Runway on Lifetime
Halloween Wars on Food Network
Fashion Star on NBC
Dance
Dancing with the Stars on ABC
So You Think You Can Dance on Fox
Dance for Musical Theatre
Who would ever think that dancing on a sheet of newspaper could actually prove to be difficult? That’s what the students in the Dance for Musical Theatre class found out. They were working on techniques and styles from famous Broadway hits like Newsies (hence the newspaper).
Most of these students were taking this class this past week to prepare for the start of Musical Theatre Summer Camp – Footloose starting on June 18. There is still time to register!! Click here to be taken to the information page where you will also find a link to enrollment.
Enjoy a few more pictures below of the dancers at work.
The Ongoing Success of Dream Team and Dream Team 2
Three years ago I had a dream to create a performing team with whom I could share all the knowledge and experience I have gained through my years of performing around the world. I took this idea to Ann Watts and Mike Boston, and with their blessing, the Dream Team was born. We started with about 25 students, and now the program has been such a success that this year we expanded and added a younger group: Dream Team II.
With the help of Dream Team choreographer Kelly Velasquez, Dream Team Theatre Director Stephanie Maysonave, and Dream Team II choreographer Megan McGrath, I have watched these kids work and grow and achieve new levels of artistic expression as they chase their dreams.
In addition to their work in the annual Dream Team Showcase, productions of Into the Woods, West Side Story, Starmites, and Les Miserables (currently in pre-production), they have had the opportunity to work with and learn from other theater professionals around the Bay Area and beyond. They studied Shakespeare with Becky Kemper of San Francisco Shakespeare. As a young artist himself, JP Viernes, who played Billy Elliott in the touring production of Billy 
Elliott The Musical, taught them about the commitment and hard work it takes to follow your dreams. Billy Liberatore, one of the Bay Area’s most loved and respected music directors and conductors, honed audition skills with the team, and Los Angeles make-up artist, Jaqueline McCarley, taught each of them how to properly apply their own stage make-up. Terence Rodia from the German company of Wicked led a dance workshop with them, and they were lucky enough to work with choreographer/dancer Will Johnston who has worked on So You Think You Can Dance and is a member of Sonia Tayeh’s dance company. Each member had professional headshots taken by the lovely and talented photographer, Renee Jankowski of Renee Rocket Studio.
Each year brings more opportunities to learn and grow as performers. My hope is to teach these team members what the “real world” of a career in theater is. I want to send them off into their performing futures as prepared as possible for anything that may come their way.
Amy Baker,
Dream Team Artistic Director
Dream Team and Dream Team 2 in the news:
Starting Arts’ Dream Team II Brings Starmites to Santa Clara Stage
Children’s Theater Does Matter!
As an elementary school theater teacher, I’ve often been asked, “What’s the point of doing theater with children aside from the obvious fun factor?” For over 20 years I have taught and directed with children and found the experience is transforming! Theater allows the inner voice of the introvert to be channeled in a safe, constructed way. Theater brings to life the words and subtext of stories for the challenged reader. Theater gives focus and direction where there is none. Finally, theater builds self-confidence and self esteem.
I’ve seen this transformation first hand, not only from my work with elementary school children, but through my own personal experience in the theater. My involvement in theater starting at 8-years old and continuing to this day, changed me in all the ways I’ve described and more!
To learn more about Why Children’s Theater Matters.
Learn How Theater for Young People Could Save the World.
Michael Boston
Artistic Director / Starting Arts
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