Dragonfly summer camp

Looking for something for your children to do this August? Have you considered theater camp?

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will offer a two-week summer theatre camp from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays Aug. 8-19, for children in third through eighth grades. Dragonfly Camp will give participants the opportunity to play theater games, act in improvisational scenes, write plays, film movies, design costumes and sets, and to act in a full production.

Camp costs $500 for two weeks, with extended care available for $50 per week. The camp will be located at Metuchen Reformed Church, 150 Lake Ave., Metuchen.

The program will be planned, taught and supervised by Dragonfly Artistic Director, Catherine LaMoreaux, a certified experienced educator in theatre, English and elementary education.

For more information, visit DragonflyArtsNJ.com, or call (908) 930-3210.

To register, click the Buy Now button below or download the registration form and mail.

Casting Call: 'Twelfth Night'

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is looking for actors to be a part of its summer 2015 production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night, or What You Will."

"Twelfth Night" is one of Shakespeare's classic romances, in which Orsino, duke of Illyria, attempts to woo the Countess Olivia. The shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as a man, takes on the name Cesario, and enters the duke's service, whereupon she is called to court Olivia on his behalf. Cesario falls in love with the Duke and Olivia falls in love with Cesario. And that's just part of it.

The show will be staged at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, with performances at 7 p.m. Friday at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, July 15-23, and at 3 p.m. July 29-30 at a park in Metuchen.

Auditions will be held from noon to 2 p.m. June 11 and from 2-4 p.m. June 12 from the Forum Theatre Blue Room, 314 Main St., Metuchen. Prepare a monologue from the show and be ready to cold-read from sides.  Callbacks will be June 14.

Appointments are not necessary, but for questions or more information, email dragonflyartsnj@gmail.com.  Appointments are available for actors who cannot come during regular audition times.

For more information, visit the Dragonfly web site.

THE CAST

Viola	A young woman, 18-30 years old, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario
Olivia	A noblewoman, 24-25 years old.
Maria	Olivia's serving woman, 25-plus years old.
Fool	Male or female, any age
Fabian	A servant in Olivia's household, male or female, any age.
Sebastian	Viola's twin brother, 18-30 years old.
Orsino	A nobleman, 25-40 years old.
Malvolio	Olivia's straitlaced head servant. Male, 20-44 years old.
Sir Toby Belch	Olivia's uncle. Forty-plus years old.
Sir Andrew	A friend of Sir Toby's. Male, 35-plus years old.
Antonio	A man who helps Sebastian and becomes his friend, 18-40 years old.
Valentine	Servant to Orsino. Male or female, any age.
Curio	Servant to Orsino. Male or female, any age.
Sea Captain

'Tenali Raman: Folk Tales of India' at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

Dragonfly will perform their original show, "Tenali Raman: Folk Tales of India," at the Center of Contemporary Art April 3. Based on a real-life Indian poet and the folk tales that grew up around him, the show was written by Dragonfly’s artistic director Catherine LaMoreaux and choreographed by Dragonfly company member Shauni Ramai.

Tenali Raman was the jester-poet in the court of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara emperor in 16th-century India. Despite having no formal education, Tenali Raman used his brilliance and great wit to work his way into the emperor’s court. Dragonfly brings Tenali Raman to life through stories of his adventures and tricks. With music, dance, and comedy, these folk tales are delightful for both those who know the Tenali Raman stories and those new to his tale.

The show features Shauni Ramai, Anna Paone, Shailendra Khurana and Kush Mathur. Tickets cost $10 per adult and $5 per child.

To purchase tickets, click here and scroll. The Center for Contemporary Art is located at 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster.

Theater Classes at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center's next session of theater classes will begin March 10. There are two, six-week classes: One for children in grades 3-6, and one for those aged 16 and older. Registration for their summer camp, for grades 3-8, is also now available.

In "Acting for Kids," third through sixth graders will use theater games to develop confidence, increase performance skills through play practice, and undertake scenes and numbers from musical theater. The program culminates in a short show for parents and friends. The program runs 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursdays March 10-21!-- and --. It costs $100 a person.

People 16 and older can participate in "Adult Acting and Improv," developing skills and confidence through improv activities, scene study and monologue preparation. The program will cover topics such as character development, script analysis, and audition preparedness, all important skills. This program runs 7:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays March 11 through 22. It also costs $100 to register for this class.

In addition to these, this summer Dragonfly will hold a two-week summer theater camp. For those in grades 3-8, the camp will run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday August 8-19. It will be planned, taught and supervised by Dragonfly's artistic director, Catherine LaMoreaux, an experienced educator with NJ certifications in theater, English and elementary education. Camp activities will include playing theatre games, doing improv, writing plays, filming movies, designing costumes and sets, and putting on a full production. It costs $500 a student.

There are multiple ways to register for the programs. It is possible to register with PayPal through, or register by mail with forms available on the Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center website. For at least the summer camp it is also possible to register by calling (908)930-3210.

For more information, contact DragonflyArtsNJ@gmail.com or call the previously listed number. Classes will be held at the Forum Theatre on 314 Main St, Metuchen; the summer camp at the Metuchen Reformed Church on 150 Lake Avenue, Metuchen.

'Arms and the Man' at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

As Valentine's Day approaches, Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic romantic comedy "Arms and the Man."

Raina Petkoff is a young Bulgarian woman engaged to a famous soldier. One night, a Swiss voluntary soldier to the Serbian army, Bluntschli, bursts into her bedroom, and begs her to hide him so that he will not be killed. Raina complies, though she thinks the man a coward, especially when he tells her that he carries chocolates instead of pistol cartridges. As the Petkoff family, their servants, and the soldier struggle to hold on to their secrets and preserve their ideals, they are forced to question their romantic notions about social class, identity, war, and love.

The show features Joe Binenszto as Nicola, Susan Holtz as Catherine, Bassam Kaado as Bluntschli, Barry Leonard as Major Petkoff, Anna Paone as Raina, Shauni Ramai as Louka, and Paul Phillip Sadowski as Sergius. It is directed by Catherine LaMoreaux.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays February 5-13 at the Metuchen Reformed Church. Tickets cost $15 per adult and $10 per student or senior citizen.

On February 12 and 13, in a first-time partnership with the nearby D'novo Fine Italian Cuisine, audience members can purchase tickets for the show and a prix-fixe, three-course dinner for just $35 per person.

To purchase tickets, click here and scroll down. The Metuchen Reformed Church is located at 150 Lake Avenue, Metuchen; D'Novo is located at 205 Main Street, Metuchen.

Casting Call: 'Arms and the Man'

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is seeking auditionees to fill the remaining parts in "Arms and the Man," a romantic comedy set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war.

Raina Petkoff is a young Bulgarian woman, engaged to a famous soldier. One night, a Swiss voluntary soldier to the Serbian army, Bluntschli, bursts into her bedroom, and begs her to hide him so that he will not be killed. Raina complies, though she thinks the man a coward, especially when he tells her that he carries chocolates instead of pistol cartridges. As the Petkoff family, their servants, and the soldier, himself, struggle to hold on to their secrets and preserve their ideals, they are forced to question their romantic notions about social class, identity, war, and love.

Auditionees should submit a resumé and headshot to drangonflyartsnj@gmail.com for an audition appointment. Most of the roles have already been cast.

Sergius Saranoff (20-40)	The extremely handsome young Bulgarian officer who lead an overwhelmingly successful attack against the Serbs.
Louka (18-30)	The Petkoffs' female servant. Young and physically attractive, she uses her appearance for ambitious preferment.
Walk-on Soldier (18+)	Has a brief scene in which he is looking for the hiding Bluntschli. Minimal rehearsals.
Captain Bluntschli	A professional soldier from Switzerland who is serving in the Serbian army. He is thirty-four years old, and he is totally realistic about the stupidity of war. This role has already been cast.
Raina Petkoff	The romantic idealist of twenty-three who views war in terms of noble and heroic deeds. This role has already been cast.
Major Petkoff	The inept, fifty-year-old father of Raina. Wealthy by Bulgarian standards, but also unread, uncouth, and incompetent. This role has already been cast.
Catherine Petkoff	Raina's mother; she looks and acts like a peasant, but wears fashionable dressing gowns and tea gowns all the time in an effort to appear to be a Viennese lady. This role has already been cast.
Nicola	A realistic and extremely practical middle-aged servant. This role has already been cast.

Rehearsals for this show will begin in early November; performances are tentatively planned for Valentine's Day weekend.

For more information, contact dragonflyartsnj@gmail.com.

'Matt & Ben' at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

What if Matt Damon and Ben Affleck didn’t really write "Good Will Hunting," but the script instead dropped fully-written into their laps from the sky? Suppose Matt and Ben were visited by and received advice from Gwyneth Paltrow and J.D. Salinger? What if they were portrayed by women? Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center of Metuchen will answer these questions when it presents the wacky comedy "Matt & Ben," in which two female actors play the stars before they were same.

Written by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers, the show features Olivia Dalessandro as Matt Damon and Shauni Ramai as Ben Affleck.

The show will run Halloween weekend, October 30 and 31, at the Metuchen Reformed Church. There will be a costume contest and a post-show reception on Halloween. Two weeks later there will be performances November 13 and 14 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Performances will occur at 8 p.m. all four nights and at 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for the former weekend cost $10 per student, $15 per adult, and $5 per costumed Metuchen High School student with ID; those for the latter cost $20 each.

To purchase tickets for Halloween weekend, click here; for the second weekend, here. The Metuchen Reformed Church is located at 150 Lake Avenue, Metuchen, while the Jersey Shore Arts Center's address is 66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove.

Casting Call: 'Matt & Ben'

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will hold auditions for "Matt & Ben" this Friday.

The show is about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, two Hollywood people who wrote Good Will Hunting. It posits that they did not actually write the movie, but it instead fell from the sky into their laps. Basically, the show is about two friends and what they do when the best script they’ve ever seen magically appears in their living room.

Two women, aged 21-50, are sought to play Matt and Ben. Auditionees should prepare a contemporary comedic dialogue and be prepared to read from sides.

Matt, a careerist young actor, looks like he has walked right off the Harvard campus. He is intelligent, sensitive, and moral, but also extremely ambitious. The actor playing this role also plays a short scene as JD Salinger. An actor able to play guitar and sing is ideal for this part.

Ben, the "Oscar" of this odd couple, tends toward the part of a typical frat boy. He gets by on his natural looks and charm, and often tries to take the shortcut. The actor in this role also plays a scene as Gwyneth Paltrow. Both characters are in their mid-20s.

Auditions will occur 3-6 p.m. September 12 and 12-4 p.m. September 13 in the Forum Theatre Blue Room. Performances will occur October 30 and 31, with probable performances at the Jersey Shore November 13 and 14.

For more information, contact dragonflyartsnj@gmail.com.

Fall Classes for Various Ages at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

This fall, Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will offer acting classes for third through sixth graders, 12-16-year-olds, and those 16 or older.

The class for students in grades three through six, "Acting for Kids," will use theater games to develop confidence and play practice to improve other performance skills. They will work on scenes and numbers from musical theater and will eventually put on a short show for family and friends.  The class rwill un 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursdays Sept. 17-Oct. 22.

In "Teen and Preteen Acting," students 12-16 will have the opportunity to play theater games, work on scenes from plays, and practice acting for the camera. The program will culminate in a performance for family and friends, and will run 6:30-7:30 Fridays Sept. 18-Oct. 23.

Those 16 and older have the opportunity to partake in "Adult Improv, Monologues and Scenes," which seeks to help adults improve their acting skills through improvisation, scene study, and monologue preparation. Topics that the class will cover include character development, script analysis and audition preparation. The class will run 7:30-8:30 Fridays Sept. 18-Oct. 23.

Each class costs $100 a student; however, the first class of each session is always free. All classes are planned and taught by Catherine LaMoreaux, an NJ-certified teacher with experience teaching theater in middle and high schools. They will be held at the Forum Theatre.

Those interesting in registering may do so either with this form or through PenPal here, here, and here. The Forum Theatre is located at 314 Main Street, Metuchen. For more information, contact dragonflyartsnj@gmail.com.

Casting Call: 'Matt & Ben'

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will hold auditions for "Matt & Ben" in about three weeks.

The show is about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, two Hollywood people who wrote Good Will Hunting. It posits that they did not actually write the movie, but it instead fell from the sky into their laps. Basically, the show is about two friends and what they do when the best script they’ve ever seen magically appears in their living room.

Two women, aged 21-50, are sought to play Matt and Ben. Auditionees should prepare a contemporary comedic dialogue and be prepared to read from sides.

Auditions will occur 3-6 p.m. September 12 and 12-4 p.m. September 13 in the Forum Theatre Blue Room. Performances will occur October 30 and 31, with probable performances at the Jersey Shore November 13 and 14.

For more information, contact dragonflyartsnj@gmail.com.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" will open at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center next week.

The show features Kayla Bashe, Arielle Beth, Joe Binensztok, Diane Boyer, Tom Cox, Dan Dunkley, Rory Griffin, Brenda Hamlet, Matt Holbert, James Jones, Bassam Kaado, Felipe Rodriguez, Zachary Sena-Cash, Demetre Serrano, Julia Stibich, Natasha Sydor, Matt Sylvester, Kristen Thomas, and Sabrina van Vliet.

The show will run at 3 and 8 p.m. August 21 and 22 at Metuchen's Reformed Church. Tickets cost $16 per adult and $13 per senior or student when ordered in advance through August 20, with an additional $2 charge when ordered online; and cost $20 per adult and $15 per student when purchased at the door.

To purchase tickets, click here. Metuchen's Reformed Church is located at 150 Lake Avenue, Metuchen.

Casting Call: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Kick off your summer by auditioning for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center.

Auditionees should prepare a pre-selected monologue from the play and be prepared to read from sides. Auditions will occur from 11:30-3:30 p.m. June 20 and from 12-3 p.m. June 21.

Oberon (20-40)	The king of the fairies.
Lysander (18-30)	A young man of Athens, in love with Hermia.
Demetrius (18-30)	A young man of Athens.
Theseus (25-45)	The heroic duke of Athens, engaged to Hippolyta.
Egeus (middle age)	Hermia’s father.
Nick Bottom (16-45)	The overconfident weaver.
Titania (18-40)	The beautiful queen of the fairies.
Hermia (16-30)	Egeus’s daughter, a young woman of Athens. Short.
Helena (16-30)	A young woman of Athens, in love with Demetrius. Tall.
Hippolyta (18-40)	The legendary queen of the Amazons, engaged to Theseus.
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustardseed (12-30, female)	Fairies.
Puck (18-35, male or female)	Oberon’s jester, a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals.
Peter Quince (20-50, male or female)	A carpenter and the nominal leader of the craftsmen.
Francis Flute (20-40, male or female)	The bellows-mender chosen to play Thisbe in the craftsmen’s play.
Robin Starveling (30-50, male or female)	The tailor chosen to play Thisbe’s mother in the craftsmen’s play.
Tom Snout (20-45, male or female)	The tinker chosen to play Pyramus’s father in the craftsmen’s play.
Snug (20+, male or female)	The joiner chosen to play the lion in the craftsmen’s play.
Philostrate (20-50, male or female)	Theseus’s Master of the Revels.

Rehearsals will be during evenings and weekends at the Forum Theater. Performances will be August 21 and 22.

For a list of monologues, click here. For more information, visit Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center's website. Auditions will take place in the storefront space of the Forum Theater at 314 Main Street, Metuchen.

"Blithe Spirit" at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the ghostly comedy "Blithe Spirit" this Halloween.

When Charles Condomine, an urbane British novelist, invites a medium to his house for a séance, he's only expecting to get ideas for his new book and mock her a little.  But when the medium, Madame Arcati, accidentally raises the ghost of his deceased first wife, Elvira, his current marriage suffers from the petulant spirit's presence. "Blithe Spirit" is a fast-talking comedy with deeper themes about marriage and belief.

The cast features Wally Marzano-Lesnevich as Charles, Lindsay Adkins as Elvira, Vivian Lam as Edith, and Rosemary Wall as Madame Acarti.

The show will run at 8 p.m. October 30 and November 1, at 2 p.m. November 2, and at 8:30 p.m. with a special reception on Halloween. Tickets cost $17 for adults in advance and $20 for adults at the door, and $12 for seniors and students.

To purchase tickets, click here. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is located in Metuchen. Their website is dragonflyartsnj.com.

Fall Theater Classes at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will hold theater classes for children and adults 11 years and older. The classes will run from Sept. 18-Nov. 14. There are four programs: "Marionette Theater," "Incredible Improv," "Public Speaking and Theater Games," and "Multicultural Monologues and Scenes."

The first class, "Marionette Theater," will run from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Students will design and build their own marionettes. They will cooperatively write a script and perform a play for friends and family during the last session. The class is for children aged 11-15.

"Incredible Improv" is a program for all students interested in improvisation, especially those who have special needs. Students will play theater games and create improvised scenes. Acting exercises will develop confidence and performance skills. The program is for people 16 and older and will run 7-8 p.m. Fridays.

Students enrolled in "Public Speaking and Theater Games" will develop their public speaking abilities through improvisational activities and theater games. Some of the topics that will be covered include improving voice and diction, crafting speeches, and eliminating stage fright. The skills that are learned will help with job and college interviews, presentations and sales pitches. This program is for people 14 and older and will run 7-8 p.m. Thursdays.

"Multicultural Monologues and Scenes" is aimed at those 16 and older. Beginner and intermediate actors who have had difficulty finding roles because of race, disability, economic status or other reasons are invited to write monologues based on their stories as well as perform scenes from plays with partners. Some of the topics that will be covered include voice, movement, motivation, given circumstances, and audition techniques. This class will run 8-9 p.m. Fridays.


"Marionette Theater" costs $200 per person. "Incredible Improv" costs $75 per person. "Public Speaking and Theater Games" costs $100 per person, as does "Multicultural Monologues and Scenes." To register, visit the Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center website.

All classes will be taught by experienced educators and theater professionals, and overseen by a NJ certified theater instructor.