Hurrah's new home!

If you haven't already heard, Hurrah has a new home! We are all very excited and know that Hugh and all his hard work is so very deserving! It has taken alot of hard work from our building "angels" to make this happen. We will be starting our Winter classes there January 25th. The building is not open as yet to visitors as we will be moving in during the next two weeks or so. We look forward to seeing you all then and know you will love our new home too! The new address is 420 Bank Street, located next door to Chrysler Hall.

If you want more information on classes etc, please visit our website at www.hurrahplayers.com. Blogs will resume in our new location.

Lisa

A parent's perspective

I just wanted to say a few things about the Production Class and how it has truly affected my son, Lane.

It was a hugh deal for my shy son to take the big step of taking Ms Aly's One Act class last session. He wanted to allow himself to be part of Hurrah ( after watching his sister, Marissa, have so much fun with it), but there was that part of him that would hold himself back. I gave him a little incentive and he ran with it. The first day after that class, he walked out with a big smile and thanked me and told me that he loved the class. Since that time, Lane has continued to change thanks to the magic of Hurrah. That first class with Ms Aly and now the class he is taking with Sharon Cook has given him a new perspective of the world and more insight into himself. He is now (although slowly) allowing himself to open up his real self, and as a parent, it has been a very moving experience.

Lane even decided to audition for HIVA this year, which floored us. It took him a long time to decide, but about a week before auditions, he grabbed a song and said he could do it, then practiced his heart out. I'm sure the audition was altogether frightening for him, but that night when I tucked him in, he told me he did a good job and he was proud of himself. And that meant more than anything to me.

Thanks for all you do for so many children.

Gina Dobson

Performing at the Lost Colony Theatre

Over the summer, the cast of "Grease" performed at the Lost Colony Theatre in Manteo, North Carolina. This was a tremendous experience for the cast. The entire process was unbelievable for me. This trip began when I arrived at lunch, which the cast of Oklahoma provided for us. After lunch, the cast drove back to the dorms and they began going through the house with excitement. We were then invited back to the theatre to eat dinner and see the performance of "Oklahoma". This show was hilarious and the cast very talented. My mother was along on the trip and loved "Oklahoma" too, she laughed and she does have a distinct laugh. Everyone got to know her for her laugh! There was a cast party after the show and we were all invited to that too. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with the cast members. Back at the dorms, the house was full of talk about how good the show was and how much everyone enjoyed it. We had our performance the next night. We started our day with rehearsal at the open theatre. By the time we were to rehearse, the sun, heat and our sweat was unbelievable. We had so much sand all stuck to us, that by the time we returned to the dorm that late afternoon, we had a trail of sand following us! We all got ready and went back for the show. They had to hold the opening of the show because they were still selling tickets. It was sooooo exciting because they nearly sold out and it was the largest audience in attendance for a show outside of the Lost Colony production! I hope I get to perform there again! The people and the experience of working in that environment was priceless! The Hurrah Players have been invited back to perform at the Lost Colony again next summer!
Michael Johnson

A Life Lesson

I guess most parents want to provide settings for their children that help them to find their ways to successful lives. Our plan involves having our son involved in organizations that are comprised of successful positive young people and adults. In addition to the guidance by parents, the examples offered by the peers and inspiration from the adult leaders may be the best encouragement for young people. We have been very fortunate that he is in a school, church youth group and in the Hurrah Players that all provide young people with positive encouragement to become successful people. I would like to discuss Hurrah in this light.

A young person's involvement in Hurrah brings him/her into contact with other young people who continually strive to compete and perform successfully. The rehearsals, auditions and performances serve to immerse the performers in very hard work but it is always couched in atmosphere where the focus is on improvement. Of course, there is competition to get into plays and to obtain the most desirable roles. However, competition characterizes most aspects of successful lives. Competition at Hurrah does not appear to produce feelings of defeat or ill will toward the other young actors but it does increase the desire to perform better at the next audition.

Involvement with the Hurrah Players produces increased confidence in public presentations and success in working with others. The directors of the theater, music and dance convey positive, encouraging lessons enabling the young actors to have confidence in tackling current and future goals. Participation in auditions for each play prepares them for increased success in future interviews with colleges and jobs. They learn how to respond spontaneously to sometimes unanticipated questions. Of course, first auditions can cause jitters, but the reviewing panels respond with encouragement and each additional audition becomes a little easier.

There is another important aspect to the way in which the Hurrah Players encourage success. The preparation required for a play brings the young people together in fairly intensive but mutually supportive enterprises that produce close friendships. These friends celebrate the successes of each other and this along with the encouragement of the staff provides the foundation for a well rounded successful adult.

The confidence developed in successfully completing the many auditions, performing on stage before large audiences. These activities along with the warm involvement in a positive peer culture enhance opportunity for success in future goals whether or not these goals involve theatrical performances. This training will serve these young people well in many aspects of life regardless of whether they are involved in theater or not. I am very happy that my son has developed a love of performing, close personal friendships and a sense of acomplishment through his participation in the Hurrah Players.

Garland White

Why I like Hurrah

I like Hurrah because I love to act, sing, and dance and Hurrah gives me that chance. I get to audition, perform and have fun! I's love to become an actor someday. I have met alot of new friends at Hurrah and I love it. I have been a Hurrah Player for three years. I believe that everyone can be a performer.

I love all the teachers here. They are so awesome! They are nice. All the productions I have been in are wonderful. I would love it if you would be in one too!

Megan Boehmcke

"A Parent's point of View"

Being involved in the Hurrah Players gives your child the same opportunities that being involved in competitive sports, scouts or other youth oriented activities would offer - the chance to make good friends, work hard toward a common goal, develop social skills, exercise, have fun and gain self-confidence, but most importantly learn that even the smallest parts matters greatly when you strive to be your very best! There are life lessons that you will not learn from TV, the computor or video games. I am so thankful that my son found this outlet for his teenaged energy! The benefits for him are truly immeasurable.

Jo White, parent