New Voices Ensemble |
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The New Voices Ensemble is a teen ensemble that works together long-term on a variety of theater projects. Begun in 1990 by Abigail Adams, this program originated as a collaboration between People’s Light artists and young people from the city of Chester. Recently, the Ensemble expanded to include youth from additional areas near the Theatre. This diverse group is rare for the region, bringing together students from a variety of communities and backgrounds who ordinarily wouldn’t meet. Because the students work together intensively over long stretches of time, they develop trusting relationships and a strong group ethic which enables them to create original and challenging work. In 2007-08, the Ensemble will participate in a series of weekly workshops on the theme of “In Search Of ...” (e.g., in search of identity, career, community, adventure) and will be invited to attend Summerstage. The next New Voices production will occur in May 2008. |
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Most Recent Projectb. frank (2006) As part of the region-wide celebration of the Tercentennial of Benjamin Franklin, New Voices created a piece inspired by how Franklin’s life and writings affect us today. In developing this original work, the Ensemble members read sections of Franklin’s writings, attended the major exhibit on Franklin at the National Constitution Center, and discussed passionately his pragmatism, his religious views, his treatment of women, and his late-in-life objections to slavery (even though he was a slave owner). From there they improvised scenes about Franklin and created movement sequences depicting everything from the workings of the printing press to imagining Franklin encountering the cell phone. This work culminated in the group performing b. frank: a call to self-invention at Chester Eastside Ministries in Chester and at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. |
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New Voices has received the prestigious "Coming Up Taller Award" given by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities for exemplary work with at-risk youth, as well as The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. |
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For more information about The New Voices Ensemble, please contact Nancy Shaw, at 610-647-1900, ex 101, education@peopleslight.org. |
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