For Immediate Release:
The Growing Stage, Inc.
The Sound of Music: On Stage At Franklin Park Performing Arts Center
October 2012

The Loudoun foothills are alive with the Sound of Music and the von Trapps are not the only family singing. This fall, Growing Stage Inc. expanded to include adults, attracting families for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s famous hit.

“This is such a great opportunity for families to perform together. What better experience than to sing and dance with your children?” said director Karlah Louis.

“When Captain von Trapp faces off with Rolf Gruber, it’s David and Sean Hemphill, father and son on stage together,” explains music director Ann Stewart. “And we have mothers and daughters in our nun choir singing together in harmony,” she adds. “Rather than an evening where everyone goes in separate directions, some families are making the theatre their home for the night. It’s become a family event.”

Laura Roden, a singer in the nun chorus, with two younger daughters in the cast explains, “Community theatre is great because it gives adults an opportunity to go beyond their day jobs and pursue artistic passions that have perhaps taken a “back seat” to jobs and kids.”

For kids and parents alike, performing together at Franklin Park is a dream come true. “When my oldest daughter was two, she helped raise the framework on the Performing Arts Center,” explained Stewart. “At the time I dreamed our family would perform in that theatre together. Now almost 13 years later, it’s hard to believe that I’m directing music for that production.”

After auditioning with 70 other children, Sophie Gwartney, Josh Wilk, Johanna Wichern, McKenna Morin, Chris Hunt, Kristina Ayers, and Evelynn Hepburn earned the von Trapp children roles. The lead role of Maria comes naturally to Amy Blair who by day was a teachers’ assistant at a local day school. “My favorite scenes involve the children. They’re all so talented.” And in typical Maria fashion Blair adds, “They’re like my children now. I’m so proud of them!”

Offstage parent volunteers have been busy sewing costumes for the cast of 60. And under the capable direction of Karlah Louis, Artistic Director of The Growing Stage, with the assistance of Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, the sets and projections are simply beautiful, transporting audience members to the Austrian alps.

Hearing Loudoun families filling the foothills with the sound of music, might be just the ticket this Oktoberfest. But tickets for the four performances October 19-21 (two matinees, two evenings) at the Franklin Park Performing Arts Center are selling quickly. They can be purchased online at www.growingstage.org/community-theater/sound-of-music/

The performance of Grease will be held on the two following dates at Franklin Arts Performing Arts Center. These performances are the culmination of the Grease summer camp, which is currently winding down. Come to the FREE performances of Grease and see our Loudoun youth in dramatic action.

Thursday, August 2 – 7 PM

Friday, August 3 – 2 PM

See you there!

The Growing Stage Theater Company produced three summer camps during the 2012 summer season. The fruit of one of these camps is two free live performances to be held at the Loudoun Valley Community Center on July 12 and 13. The July 12th performance will be held at 7 pm, and the following performance begins at 2 pm. Don’t miss this exciting play offered to the community at no cost. Thanks for your support!

For Immediate Release
The Sound of Music at Franklin Park
May 28, 2012

The Loudoun foothills are alive with the Sound of Music and more than the family Von Trapp is involved.

As Growing Stage grows up, their summer music theatre camp expands and is attracting families to audition for its community musical theatre production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s famous hit. Though the show rehearses September and October, auditions have been taking place in May and June and enthusiasm has been high with more than 70 children auditioning for Von Trapp family singers. Directors look forward to hearing their parents and other adults in the community on June 4th.

“This is such a great opportunity for families to perform together. What better experience than to sing and dance with your children?” said director Karlah Louis.

“Rather than an evening where everyone goes in separate directions, some families will make the theatre their home for the night, singing together in harmony,” said music director Ann Stewart.

This isn’t the first time Stewart and Louis have worked together. For the past two years they’ve paired to direct two of Harmony Middle School’s musicals. And Louis also brings in 35 years of professional experience and the honor of winning the prestigious Helen Hayes Award.

Laura Roden, a mother of two Harmony actors and volunteer parent now looks forward to auditioning for the nuns’ chorus and singing with her two daughters. “Community theatre is great because it gives adults an opportunity to go beyond their day jobs and pursue artistic passions that have perhaps taken a “back seat” to jobs and kids.” After one teenager auditioned, Karlah encouraged his dad to come out and play a German officer. Though a little nervous and excited, dad was flattered and began speaking with a German accent for the next two days and brushing up on his “Edelweiss.”

For the adults who think that one of their “favorite things” might include singing and acting, they can audition June 4 from 6-9 at Franklin Park Performing Arts Center. Experienced actors as well as wanna-bes are welcomed. Adult females should prefer 16 measures of “Sound of Music,” or “Climb Every Mountain.” Adult males should prepare “Edelweiss.” After hearing children from Loudoun audition, Louis remarked, “If this is a sign about the talent in Western Loudoun, I can’t wait to hear some of their parents next week!” admired Louis.

For kids and parents alike, performing together at Franklin Park is a dream come true. “When my oldest daughter was 2, she helped raise the framework on the Performing Arts Center,” explained Stewart. “At the time I dreamed our family would perform in that theatre together. Now almost 13 years later, it’s hard to believe that I’ll be directing the music for that production.”
And if listening to the sound of music is your preference, buy tickets for the performances on October 19-21 at the Franklin Park Performing Arts Center and watch the Loudoun families in action.

THE GROWING STAGE THEATRE PRESENTS:

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Directed by Karlah Louis

AUDITIONS AT FRANKLIN PARK

MAY 21ST – VON TRAPP KIDS & ROLF 6-9PM
MAY 22ND – KIDS & ROLF CALLBACKS 6-9PM
JUNE 4TH – ADULT PARTS 6-9PM
JUNE 7TH – ADULT PART CALLBACKS 6-9PM
REHEARSALS BEGIN: SEPTEMBER 4
SHOW DATES: October 19, 20, 21

PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH 16 BARS OF EITHER–DO -RE-MI, SIXTEEN GOING ON SEVENTEEN, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CLIMB EV’RY MOUNTAIN OR EDELWEISS. CHILDREN PLEASE SING DO-RE-MI. (NO CHILDREN UNDER 7 YEARS OLD PLEASE. CHILDREN AUDITIONING SHOULD NOT BE OVER COMMITTED ELSEWHERE DURING THIS REHEARSAL PERIOD. ) TIME PERMITTING ON THE FIRST AUDITION DAY YOU MAY READ FROM THE SCRIPT. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THE FIRST DAY OF AUDITIONS FOR YOUR AGE GROUP PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL RESERVE UP TO 20 MINUTES OF THE SECOND DAY TO SEE PEOPLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SEEN BASIS. IF ASKED TO STAY, BE PREPARED TO STAY FOR CALLBACKS.

WE WILL ATTEMPT TO CAST BETWEEN 40 AND 45 TOTAL AND ARE LOOKING FOR STRONG ACTORS/SINGERS AND A STRONG CHORAL ABILITY FROM THE CHORUS. ONCE WE HAVE CAST WE WILL DETERMINE THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE ACCORDING TO OUR ACTORS NEEDS. REHEARSAL HOURS WILL BE FROM 6-9PM AT VARIOUS VENUES IN PURCELLVILLE AND CHORAL PARTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO REHEARSE AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK AND PRINCIPAL PARTS AND CHILDREN BE PREPARED TO REHEARSE AT LEAST 3 NIGHTS A WEEK. THE FINAL TWO WEEKS OF REHEARSAL WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL CAST AND CREW AND WILL BE M-F WITH THE FINAL WEEK BEING M thru SUN STRIKE. Director: Karlah Louis Karlahlouis@aol.com