Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985/549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 4/8/02
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple 98

SLU OFFERS SUMMER MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN
     HAMMOND   The team that staged the hit musical "Annie" last summer at
Southeastern Louisiana University will offer a two-week musical theatre program for children 
June 10-21.
     "ActSingDance!" will be conducted by New York City director and choreographer
Wendy Taucher and Southeastern Opera/Music Theatre program director Charles Effler. 
     The program is open to children who will be entering grades kindergarten through 10th
grade in fall 2002. 
     Effler, who has served as music director and conductor for many Southeastern Opera-
Music Theatre productions, said during the two-week children's program, youngsters will create
and present their own original musical theatre performance.
     "The program will promote an 'all star-no star' environment," he said. "All students will
participate in the creative process. The program will encourage creative thinking and build skills
in acting, singing and dancing."
     The program will be divided into four sessions: 
       Juniors: 9-9:45 a.m. (Kindergarten, first grade)
       Ensemble: 10-11:25 a.m. (2nd-3rd grade)
       Company: 11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m. (4th-6th grade)
       Rude Mechanicals: 2-3:25 p.m. (7th-10th grade). 
     Effler said special acting and stage movement classes for 11th and 12th graders and adults
will also be offered from 7-8:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, during the same time period.
     Tuition for the children's classes is $150, with a $15 discount offered for each additional
family member. Adult class tuition is $75. Enrollment is limited and a $25 late fee will be added 
                             (MORE)
ACTSINGDANCE!   Add One
to the tuition after May 15.
     The children and adult classes are sponsored by Southeastern's Continuing Education
Department and Community Music School.
     Enrollment forms or additional information are available by email,
actsingdance@selu.edu, or by calling the Southeastern Community Music School,
985-549-5502.
Information will also be available online at www.selu.edu/actsingdance.    
     In her three-decade career, Taucher has earned a degree in music from Northwestern
University, founded a dance company in Chicago, worked extensively as a teaching artist with
prestigious groups such as the Lincoln Center Institute, directed more than 25 opera and musical
productions in ten states, and presented her own theater-dance works at venues from the United
States to Scotland to Italy.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/news/spring02.html