Program Casting Call: 'Footloose'

The Cranford Dramatic Club will hold auditions for their Junior Theatre show, "Footloose," based on the movie musical of the same name, in a few weeks. Auditions are open for eight-graders through college students.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation with many of the locals, eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. With an Oscar- and Tony-nominated score and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, "Footloose" celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

Auditionees should prepare 32 bars of a song from musical theater, being sure to bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided. They should also bring a headshot, resumé, and list of conflicts. There will be dancing at the audition, and those with gymnastics skills should be prepared to demonstrate. Those who are cast will need to pay a $125 production fee.

Auditions will be held at 6 p.m. April 13 and at 11 p.m. April 16. Performances will occur at 8 p.m. June 10 and at 3 and 8 p.m. June 11.

For more information, visit the CDC website. The Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

'Curtain Call' Fall Theater Class at Cranford Dramatic Club

Cranford Dramatic Club will host their theater program "Curtain Call," this fall. It will last thirteen weeks and culminate in a performance of "Elf Jr."

There are two divisions of the program. "Act One", for those in grades first through fourth, will begin September 21; "Act Two" is for fifth- through eighth-graders and will begin September 23. The two groups will come together for two performances of "Elf Jr." December 19.

The program costs $250 a student, or $225 for Cranford Dramatic Club members. Registration forms can be downloaded here to print and either mail to PO box 511, Cranford, NJ, 07016 or bring to the first session.

For more information, contact megferentinos@yahoo.com. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

'Teen A Capella Ensemble' program

Cranford Dramatic Club will hold auditions for its first "Teen A Capella Ensemble," a "Glee"-style vocal chorus for teenagers, at the end of this month.

With custom-made vocal arrangements of popular songs, the program has 18 slots for adolescents in grades 9-12. Some of the songs will have piano accompaniment, and others will be a capella. Auditions will take place at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 and at 4 p.m. Sept. 30. Auditionees that have been accepted will need to pay a $225 participation fee.

The ensemble will meet on Tuesday afternoons from October to January. There will be a concert Jan. 16.

The chorus will be directed by Jack Bender, and choreographed by Megan Ferentinos. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

Casting Call: Teen A Capella Ensemble

Cranford Dramatic Club will hold auditions for its first "Teen A Capella Ensemble," a "Glee"-style vocal chorus for teenagers, at the end of this month.

With custom-made vocal arrangements of popular songs, the ensemble is open to up to 18 adolescents in grades 9-12. Some of the songs will have piano accompaniment, and others will be a capella. Auditions will take place at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 and at 4 p.m. Sept. 30. Once auditionees have been accepted, there will be a $225 participation fee.

The ensemble will meet on Tuesday afternoons from October to January. There will be a concert Jan. 16.

The chorus will be directed by Jack Bender, and choreographed by Megan Ferentinos. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

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.

'Curtain Call' Theater Program

Cranford Dramatic Club will host a 13-week theater program, called "Curtain Call," that will culminate in a performance.

There are two divisions of the program. The first one, called "Act One," is for children in 1^st through 4^th grade and will run on Mondays starting September 15. The second one, "Act Two," is for 5^th through 8^th graders and will run on Wednesdays starting September 17. Both groups will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Each class will work on multiple aspects of a show. They will create and paint the set, find and make props, sew costumes, and, of course, act.

At the end of the program, both classes will perform prewritten shows. Act Two will perform "A Christmas Peter Pan" at 7:30 p.m. December 19, and Act One will perform "The Nutcracker" at noon December 20.

This 13-week program cost $250 a child. Those interested should contact megferentinos@yahoo.com. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.