SLO REP has received a generous $3,000 donation from our friends at Rabobank in support of our Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) educational programs! This is the fifth year that Rabobank has stepped up to sponsor this program and we are so very grateful for their generous support.
Established in 1997, SLO REP’s Academy of Creative Theatre is a hands-on, process-driven educational and mentorship program, providing classes, workshops, week-long ‘camps’, and production opportunities for young people ages 5-18. The mission of ACT dictates that SLO REP provide meaningful education opportunities for our students; the curriculum is cumulative and carefully constructed to meet VAPA curriculum standards established for the state of California.
In its 22 years, no student has ever been turned away from SLO REP’s ACT program due to financial hardship. Generous scholarships are always available thanks to annual grants provided by the Janssen Youth and Youth Sports Fund held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County and by the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust. ACT serves between 200-300 students annually and is consistently hosting a waiting list for classes.
We are pleased and very proud to note that ACT students have a history of continuing to pursue the arts in higher education. This spring, seven graduating ACT students are entering college to major in theatre/acting. Several former ACT students are making their living in the arts as actors or in technical theatre after having graduated from BFA or professional training programs. Many more are theatre educators, sometimes returning to teach summer classes for ACT. An even greater number continue to engage in artistic endeavors by participating in community choir, dance or theatre groups. SLO REP takes pride in not only training future artists, but—through fundamentals of collaborative and personalized creative learning—developing future patrons of the arts and well-rounded human beings.
Funding from Rabobank underwrites all aspects of the ACT educational program, helping to keep it accessible and affordable for participating families and children from throughout San Luis Obispo County all year long. Thank you, Rabobank!
The first of ACT’s two professionally directed and designed productions for the 2019-2020 Season is The Little Mermaid, JR opening on Friday, July 12th and running through July 21st on the SLO REP stage. This show is a perfect chance for families to introduce young children to the magic of live theatre! All ages are welcome and tickets are available HERE.
For more information about ACT classes, camps and more, contact our Education Director Kerry DiMaggio or check out the ACT section of our website.
See you at THE LITTLE MERMAID, JR!
Photo at top: The young and talented cast of ACT’s summer musical production of THE LITTLE MERMAID, JR. joins representatives from Rabobank for a check presentation! (L to R in center with check) Rabobank’s Lisa Adams, Steve Harding, Kandy Noël and Matt Allen with SLO REP Board President Michael Simkins. SLO REP’s Education Director Kerry DiMaggio is on the end of the row at right.
