News in Sarasota Florida

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS TO EXPAND ITS ACCLAIMED KALEIDOSCOPE PROGRAM AND HELP MORE PEOPLE

Asolo Rep has partnered with Community Haven, Easter Seals of Southwest Florida,
Bayshore High School and the Oak Park School to expand the acclaimed Kaleidoscope program, which has for more than 15 years offered a specialized summer program of musical theatre workshops for developmentally disabled adults and teens. These partnerships are an important component of new Kaleidoscope program
enhancements designed to expand services and broaden participation.

“Kaleidoscope was ready to evolve into a broader, deeper, longer lasting initiative. The challenge was to find opportunities for growth even under difficult economic conditions. By partnering with other organizations and developing residency programs at each of these sites, we are able to expand and enhance the program with a more sustainable, ontemporary outlook. This growth means we can engage, include and help more people in more ways.”– Brian Hersh, Asolo Rep Education and Outreach Director .

Asolo Rep launches the “new” Kaleidoscope 2010–2011 program with a reception on July 30, 2010, honoring all the partners and showcasing a pilot program taking place from July 12–30, at Community Haven, the organization that pioneered the Kaleidoscope program with Asolo Rep in 1994.

Hersh added, “Community Haven is the ideal partner to lead the way with this new model. What better way to begin writing the next chapter of this tremendous program, than to build on the foundation of how it came to be. In this way we honor the past while continuing to bring Kaleidoscope to new heights.”

The Kaleidoscope 2010 program model has been expanded to include multiple arts' mediums and modalities to be implemented with each partner organization. Asolo Rep will provide resident teaching artists for a 12-week period at each organization beginning in September to plan, collaborate and work harmoniously with staff both pre-residency and throughout the process. Each partner organization will select up to 12 participating ensemble members. Performing arts will be integrated into their daily routines, enhancing life skills and advancing their individual education plans. Building on its already strong relationships with regional educational institutions, Asolo Rep is also collaborating with Phyllis Jones Ph.D., a consultant from the University of South Florida Department of Special Education, who will mentor the implementation of the new Kaleidoscope
model.

Teaching artists will interact with the ensembles each week along with staff partners who will co-facilitate each resident session while maintaining goals and work in between visits. The artistic process will be part of the
ongoing work of each organization. Following the fall residency, Asolo Rep will continue with monthly visits in the spring, extending workshops to track the progress of ensemble members and to provide artistic tools and
professional development for each partner's staff. This model allows for people with disabilities to share their experiences and stories, giving them voice, confidence, and enhanced life skills through a nurturing, holistic
process.

The public will, as in prior years, have the opportunity to celebrate and share the Kaleidoscope ensembles' artistic journeys through a culminating showcase presented on Asolo Rep's mainstage-–the Mertz Theatre-–on Monday, December 6, 2010. Annie Morrison, a longtime director and co-founder of the
Kaleidoscope program, returns as lead teaching artist.

“Each year the Kaleidoscope theatre troupe of actors surprises and delights me with every challenge they tackle together as we grow and develop. Last year's performance of an original work from one of our company veterans inspired audiences and actors alike. Our new challenge this year of expanding outward to
include more of our community, while continuing to explore theatre arts with our veterans, is a real treat. How will each organization's ensemble members explore and express themselves while creating a performance art piece? I sincerely hope our fans of the summer program of prior seasons will come out and support this new metamorphous. If you haven't experienced a Kaleidoscope event before, this is a great time to start.”– Annie Morrison, Kaleidoscope lead teaching artist.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is Florida's premier professional theatre and one of the most important cultural forces in the Southeastern United States. As a center for theatrical excellence, Asolo Rep crafts the highest quality
productions of classical, contemporary and newly commissioned work all performed in the rarest form of rotating repertory. Featuring an accomplished resident company – complemented by distinguished guest artists – Asolo Rep offers audiences a unique and dynamic theatre experience. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, this world-class institution has taken bold steps toward the future, building landmark partnerships and collaborations which will add to its success for generations to come.