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Local Children’s Theatre Expands To Become Gettysburg Community Theatre

(6/28) Adams County School of Musical Theatre opened its doors February 2009 at the old Elks Lodge at 49 York Street in downtown Gettysburg. Since then, the 501c3 non-profit organization has offered instruction in acting, voice, piano, dance, and musical theatre to students ages 4-18, as well as produced at least 10 musicals per year. The organization has now developed so much that it has become an outlet for more than just children in the theatre. Adams County School of Musical Theatre has now changed its name to Gettysburg Community Theatre.

Each year the children’s theatre has held an open audition to all ages in the community to include adults in some productions such as Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which they performed at the Lutheran Theological Seminary for Music, Gettysburg, as well as Helen And Teacher, Oliver! and Big River, which they performed at the Kline Theatre-Gettysburg College campus. Under the direction of Founding Executive/Artistic Director, Chad-Alan Carr, the Gettysburg Community Theatre has increased its involvement in the community and has produced about 30 different musical productions and concerts and is now in its fourth year of providing professional instruction in performing arts and quality entertainment and enrichment to the community.

"Our faculty and lead staff members are all professional and qualified", says Carr. "Each of them hold Bachelors or Masters degrees in their field, and each of them have all three required clearances/background checks for teachers in public schools. This is something very important to parents and is certainly important to us with the care of children."

By expanding the theatre faculty, the programming will also be expanded. Plans are being made to offer special workshops in Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan, Piano Class, Stage Make-Up, Technical Theatre and more. Led by Chad-Alan Carr (B.F.A.), the faculty/staff of Gettysburg Community Theatre currently includes Carrie Trax (B.M., M.M.Ed.), Greg Trax (B.F.A.), Hans Schroeder (B.S.), Mary George (B.M.), Bridgid Wills (B.A.), Michael Baker (B.A., M.A.), Jill Herr (MA CCC-SLP).

"Our new name says a lot more about who, what and where we are", says Carr. "Gettysburg Community Theatre is for the community and by the community. It is a place for children, teens, and adults to learn about the theatre arts, perform theatre and for the community to see local talent at its best on our stage. We look forward to a great summer and an incredible Fall production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol."

Gettysburg Community Theatre is excited to announce their 2012 Summer Musicals, America The Beautiful July 6th and 7th at 7pm and July 7th at 2pm. Perfect for the young and young at heart. Tickets are only $5 reserved seating and includes ice cream social after the show compliments of Mr. G’s Ice Cream. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS will perform July 13th and 14th at 7pm and July 14th and 15th at 2pm. Perfect for all ages. Tickets are $11 reserved seating. The Victim (a new original musical about teen bullying) written by Hanover PA teen, Zachary Terrazas, will perform August 10th and 11th at 7pm. Tickets are $11 reserved seating. The Victim musical contains mature language and mature subject matter and may not be suitable for audiences. Disney’s Aladdin jr. will perform August 17th and 18th at 7pm and August 18th and 19th at 2pm. Perfect for all ages. Tickets are $11 reserved seating. All tickets for all GCT events can be ordered online at www.acsmt.org or by calling (717) 334-2692.

Registration is still open for the Gettysburg Community Theatre’s summer day camps and the opportunity to be in the cast of Disney’s Aladdin jr. Ages 4-6 attend week-long half day camps Monday-Friday 9am-Noon for only $90 per week, while ages 7-16 attend week-long full day camps Monday-Friday 9am-4pm for only $150 per week. Students can enroll in only one week or all weeks. Registration is online at www.acsmt.org

Gettysburg Community Theatre wishes to thank its generous sponsors this year, Susquehanna Bank, ProEquities/Kristine Witherow, and Mr. G’s Ice Cream.

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