Registration is open for Simsbury Summer Theatre, a not-for-profit theatre organization for Simsbury, Granby and East Granby high school and college students. “We’re producing Cinderella ,” says SST board president Nancy Grandin, “and it’s on Broadway right now, so we were quite fortunate to get the rights. It’s a wonderful family show, of course, so our members can look forward to performing for big audiences!” SST, which is completely self-funded and run by a volunteer board of directors, has produced a full-scale Broadway musical every year since 1966. “It’s a comprehensive theatre experience,” says Ms. Grandin. “and we have a great professional staff to guide our members. Onstage, we offer opportunities for actors, singers and dancers. Our director, Joe Campolieta, is in his 15th year and the kids just love him. Lesley Lambert, who is the assistant director at the New England School of Dance, has been SST’s choreographer for 14 years and she’s fantastic. We have two wonderful music directors – Jason Stammen, a well-known performer and voice coach from Tariffville, and Sean Pallatroni, an Emmy-award winning composer.” “Our backstage staff is equally talented,” Ms. Grandin continues. “Costumer Michele Warshaw works with SST members interested in costume and fashion design. Our technical director, Nick Diakostavrianos, has worked with a number of local theatre organizations, including the Suffield Players and Simsbury Theatre Guild. He and stage manager Heidi Bengraff, who also stage manages for the Manchester Musical Players, work with members interested in set construction and painting, as well as running crew and other aspects of tech theatre. We have a very strong professional team and SST participants always benefit from their expertise. We’re also very fortunate to rent the Werner Centennial Theatre at Westminster School. It’s a beautiful facility and it’s air-conditioned, so it makes rehearsing and performing quite comfortable, something that’s important with a summer group!” In addition to an excellent theatre experience, SST also offers many social activities. “Our members have fun offstage too,” says Ms. Grandin. “Pool and pizza parties, theme nights, a car wash, Karaoke night – our youth board is busy planning these right now, actually. In addition, many of our members have gone on to careers in the performing arts, and this year an alum who is a cast member in the national tour of Beauty and the Beast will be returning to share her experiences. It’s great when we can tap into the alumni network to provide something extra for our members!” All information regarding participation and registration can be found by clicking on “Join SST” on www.simsburysummertheatre.org. Backstage signups and cast/dance auditions for Cinderella will be held at the Werner Centennial Theater on June 3 and 4. Auditions for the dance corps will be held June 3 and 9. Show Dates: July 31, August 1, 2, 3. Tickets for Cinderella can be purchased through the website beginning May 15. Questions: sstdiva@gmail.com
