A Celebration of "Zoot Suit" at the Outdoor Forest Theater
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
(TUESDAY, JUNE 10, Carmel, CA): The Forest Theater Guild presents a “Celebration of Zoot Suit” on Tuesday, July 8 at the Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel, California. The special event, scheduled from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., will feature the debut of the documentary “The Making of Zoot Suit” which highlights the accomplishments of the Guild’s 2008 youth development and outreach program. In addition, the Guild will announce the winners of the 2008 Michel Willey Youth Scholarship Awards. Three separate awards will be granted to outstanding students who demonstrate TALENT, TENACITY, DEDICATION, and COMMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
The 2008 All-Star Youth Production represents one of the Guild’s most ambitious outreach projects to date. Committed to reaching students throughout the county, the Guild produced three separate productions with three separate casts performing in Salinas, King City, and Monterey. The goal was to ensure that students could participate in a culturally relevant play while performing in their own communities. “Often, youth productions take place in a Monterey theater making it virtually impossible for students from south and north county to participate,” explained Jane De Lay, executive director for the Forest Theater Guild. “This year we took the play to them. Many of the students had never been on stage before, and their families had never been to a theater. It was very rewarding to work with the students and to see the proud parents,” De Lay continued.
Moreover, the All-Star Program requires that the students apply the material to a study guide based on the state standards for Visual and Performing Arts education. This academic requirement sets the Guild’s program aside from other youth productions. The entire process was recorded in an hour-long documentary. “It’s important to document the rehearsal and performance process, as well as to record the changes in the students as they become more confident in the material, more empathic, and develop trust in each other,” commented De Lay. “The documentary serves as a valuable model for building performing arts outreach programs for youth.”
The Guild will debut the documentary at the “Celebration of Zoot Suit” on July 8. It will be a way for the Guild to bring everyone together as a final closing of Zoot Suit before moving on to next year’s projects.
The Forest Theater Guild’s Youth Scholarships, named in memory of Michel Willey, was established to encourage young participants in the Guild’s productions to attend college. The funds are payable directly to the college where the recipient will be attending courses in Fall 2008.
The public is invited to attend the “Celebration of Zoot Suit”. A donation of $10 at the door is welcome. For more information, please contact Jane De Lay at (831) 626-1681.
