MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE TEENS TO PRODUCE, PERFORM THE GLASS MENAGERIE
The performance will take place for one night only on August 15 on the Theatre’s stage
July 13, 2015 (Jupiter) – You may have read Tennessee Williams’ 1944 play The Glass Menagerie or seen the film.
But seeing it produced and performed entirely by local students is an entirely different experience – and one that you soon won’t forget.
Under the guidance of industry professionals at Florida’s largest award-winning not-for-profit regional theatre, area middle and high school students have spent their summer at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre participating in a free summer mentorship program to produce the show. The Glass Menagerie will take place on Saturday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m., on the Theatre’s stage.
Very few plays in the modern theatre world have so captured the imagination and heart of the American public as The Glass Menagerie. This beautiful family drama tells the story of the domineering matriarch Amanda Wingfield and her two children, fragile Laura and restless dreamer Tom, as well as a long hoped-for gentleman caller. A striking play filtered through Tom’s memory, The Glass Menagerie examines family relationships, the pursuit of dreams and obligations to one another.
Known as the Youth Artists’ Chair, the project aligns high school students with individual Theatre staff members for one-on-one mentoring and guidance during the creation process of the show. Through the project, students have produced the dramas The Crucible, Hamlet, The Laramie Project and The Good Times are Killing Me since 2011.
After passing through an extensive interview and selection process, the student creative team consists of: Summer Hope (producer), 18, of Jupiter; Kara Grozan (director), 17, of Jupiter; Tom Matthews (assistant director), 17, of Jupiter; Alexandra Borsellino (stage manager), 14, of Palm Beach Gardens; Alexander Goodwin-Elam (scenic designer), 11, of Hobe Sound; Skye Alyssa Friedman (sound designer), 13, of Jupiter; Emmali O’Neill (costume designer), 14, of Palm Beach Gardens; Alison Carey (costume assistant), 14, of Jupiter Farms; Dylan Lugosi (projections designer), 13, of Palm Beach Gardens; Skylar Geraghty (props master), 12, of Palm Beach Gardens; Madie Swift (marketing director), 13, of Jupiter; Jennifer Vasbinder (public relations director), 17, of Jupiter; Ashley Smith (public relations assistant), 13, of Jupiter; and Skylar Unfried (lighting designer), 13, of Hobe Sound.
The show’s directors and producer also cast the show’s young performers. They are: Matthew Paszkiet (Tom), 17, of Jupiter; Laura Guley (Laura), 17, of Jupiter; Madeline Gilbert (Amanda), 17, of Palm City; Vincent Bolchoz (Jim; understudy for Tom), 17, of Tequesta; Lisa Chandler (understudy, Laura), 17, of West Palm Beach; Kelly Fleming (understudy, Amanda), 16, of Jupiter; and Leandre Thivierge (understudy, Jim), 13, of West Palm Beach.
“We are all so excited to be spending our summer producing this incredible drama,” said the show’s student director, Kara Grozan, a senior at Jupiter High School. “The Glass Menagerie is such a beautiful story with wonderfully rich characters. As young artists, we have the opportunity to collaborate and explore a truly historic piece of American theatre while learning from industry professionals at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.”
Tickets are on sale now for The Glass Menagerie, with one performance slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students. For information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call (561) 575-2223.
About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws nearly 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,626 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.
