GLAWPIGT ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP AND AUDITIONS


On Monday, April 14, Arts Outreach will host open auditions for our performance group, GLAWPIGT, which is an acronym for Great Literature Alive, Well, & Playing In Greeneville, Tennessee. Auditions will take place at 5:30pm in the Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre on the Tusculum College campus and will be open to any students (rising 3rd through 8th grade for the 2014/15 school year) in the Greeneville/Greene County area.

GLAWPIGT was formed by Marilyn duBrisk, Tusculum College Arts Outreach Director, when she first arrived to the area in the mid-1980’s, to promote reading and to bring great literature to life through the performing arts. For nearly 30 years this program has trained young performers and has inspired generations of students, introducing them to the magic of literature, and the importance of reading. Our current GLAWPIGT group meets weekly on Mondays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm during the academic school year at the Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre at Tusculum College. We do not meet during the summer months while school is out of session. During this time the group is trained in basic presentation skills, as well as the development of essential tools needed for performance. These include; proper breathing technique, voice placement, stage movement, character development, and improvisation, which helps develop creativity. We also work with each member of the group on individual performance pieces which the students themselves have chosen, or that have been assigned by us for them to perform. The group then performs these memorized pieces during various events and workshops throughout the year.

In order to prepare for upcoming auditions, Arts Outreach will be conducting a free workshop on Sunday, March 30, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm at the Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre at Tusculum College. The workshop will showcase our current GLAWPIGT members, and students will work directly with our group on various exercises and techniques relating to basic performance skills. We will also take this time to explain more about the GLAWPIGT program, provide information about our upcoming auditions, and answer any questions. While this workshop is in preparation for our April 14 auditions, please know that anyone who is interested in learning more about basic presentation skills is welcome, and a commitment to attend the actual audition is not required.  This workshop will be open to ANY AND ALL students in the Greeneville/Greene County area.

If your child would like to attend the workshop, please make arrangements for them to be dropped off/picked up at the appropriate times. We encourage children to dress in comfortable clothing, and ask that they DO NOT WEAR FLIP-FLOPS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Arts Outreach office at (423) 798-1620 or by e-mail at jhollowell@tusculum.edu

“TAP – The Show” at Tusculum March 18


GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – “TAP – The Show” will bring a burst of non-stop dance energy to the stage at Tusculum College on Tuesday, March 18.

The award-winning song and dance spectacular will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The show is part of Tusculum College Arts Outreach’s Acts, Arts, Academia 2013-14 performance and lecture series.

Matt Davenport Productions’ “TAP – The Show” explores the international family tree of tap dancing, including Irish, African and Spanish traditions, as well as contemporary urban expressions.  Wrapped in dazzling costumes and backed by a soaring orchestral score, a cast of award-winning dancers and singers travels seamlessly over decades of styles from Broadway and big band to world music and pop/rock.

Each section brings to life iconic tap moments of the past and creates brand new moments that amaze audiences. Included in this extravaganza are recreations of some of favorite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly numbers, Broadway showstoppers, smooth and sultry soft shoe, flamenco, tribal and Irish step and more.

The production is the culmination of years researching the traditions of step dancing by writer/director Scott Seidl.  As a percussionist and dancer himself, Seidl’s interest in the expressive power in this marriage of dance and percussion was realized when executive producer Matt Davenport challenged him in 2009 to create a truly unique dance production.

Since then the show has become a perennial favorite at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania and garnered the “Heartbeat” award from the International Association Amusement Parks and Attractions.  The success of the show has led to the creation of a full theatrical version of the production for this national tour.

Tickets for the show are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens (60 and over) and $5 for children under 12. A group discount is available for dance studios. Tusculum College faculty, staff and students admitted free with valid TC ID.  Please contact Arts Outreach for more information at 423-798-1620 or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu.