Mya Guerin A Star On The Rise

On this frosty December day, we would like to warm your hearts with our Star On The Rise, Mya Guerin. Mya is such a great Crow kid, that you can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy when you meet her. Her energy fills the room and there is no way this little light will ever be under a bushel. Her latest role was Bandit in the Elves and The Shoemaker. She was one of ten elves who helped the Shoemaker and his family. That is Mya, all over. She is eager to help, always prepared and although she loves to eat, she also loves to share. Mya was also a pirate in the Winter Production of Peter Pan last March. Mya is also in the Vocal class and sings like an angel. She is a quick study, learning lines and vocal cues readily. Also a helper in the Vocal class, she makes sure the others have their lyrics ready and if not, she stands beside them and shares. We look forward to Mya being a cast member of the Winter Production of Aladdin. With her pension for drama and her eagerness to share, she would make a great Genie! Here is what Mya has to say. "I am age 8 and in grade 3. I have been in 2 shows. I like being on stage .. It's fun..and there are lots of fun people at the Crow. I am looking forward to LOTS more shows and to one day have a song to sing by myself at a show."

Welcome Our First Star On The Rise

Welcome to Star On The Rise! This new feature at the Crow will highlight a student, who by virtue of their hardwork and dedication, has definitely passed the Upstart Crow test. Anton Burek has proven his Crow status by working in chorus, as well as lead, and his willingness to step in when needed. Anton Burek is a senior at North Eugene High School. After studying ballet and singing in a local vocal group for several years, a friend told him he should audition for Upstart Crow. Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog was his first production. Anton played Dr. Horrible's evil sidekick Moist, as well as the Mayor and a member of the Bad Horse Chorus. Last Winter, Anton joined the Peter Pan cast as Starkey the pirate, Captain Hook's second in command. Arrrr! Most recently Anton was cast as the Shoemaker in the Crow's holiday hit The Elves and The Shoemaker. In college, Anton aspires to train as a "triple threat" as a drama major with a minor in musical theatre or dance. He has applied to and been invited to audition at numerous colleges in New York. And although it's too early to make a decision, Adelphi University has already offered a talent scholarship! We know this star is on rise! Here is what Anton has to say about his experience at the Crow. "Upstart Crow means a lot to me because they gave me a start. I'd never acted on stage before Dr.Horrible. And that's when I realized I really, really love theatre," says Anton.

Happy Feet Rehearsal

A bird's eye view of The Elves and The Shoemaker rehearsal last night with most of the towns people of Clankbottom. Trying to fit everyone on stage for the choreography rehearsal of the chorus number. Cast will be performing this number at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts SHOcase on November 15th. Challenges are keeping kids from tripping off an on the stage. With so many and the floor needed repairs, we work with the little ones in the front and have the older kids in the back to help supervise. Parents watch as cast members learn their steps. Some parents video the process to help their child work on the steps at home. Hoping the Kickstarter project-Feathering the Nest is funded so we can replace the stage floor this year and keep the Crows Nest Community Theatre in working order for the kids. Check the link and join the project. A great Halloween treat to put into lots of little hands (and feet!)

Tapping our way into the holiday season

Our holiday production is off to a great start, with 36 young people ready to don their elf boots and tap tap tap to help the Shoemaker and his wife. This musical theatre production, Elves and the Shoemaker, started rehearsals last week. The cast went through several readings and even had their first choreography lesson with Jackie Byers. This week the cast list is up on the web site. With the added characters of the Old Lady in the Shoe and her many children, Hansel and Gretel and Miss Muffet, this will be an interesting dilemma for the Shoemaker, Anton Burek, and his wife, Sabrina Gross. But although it is a mystery with a touch of magic, Shirley Lock and her trusted sidekick, Wanda, will help the little town get a perfect fit for the shoes they need. Tickets are on sale now for this holiday production by Karen Boettcher-Tate with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur. Shows will be Saturday, December 1st and 2nd and the following weekend, December 8th and 9th. Evening shows on Saturday at 7:00 PM and Sunday matinees at 3:00 PM. Come join us for some hot chocolate and be sure to wear your favorite pair of shoes!

The Raven Maven is Back!

The maven raven is back! Was surprised to see the last post was two years ago! Well, time flies (no crow pun intended) when you are having fun. So let's do a quick update. We are still in the same place, but other than that things have definitely changed for the Crow. We are in our 12th year and continue to expand by leaps and bounds.

Still focused on theatrical productions we ended the 2011-2012 season on a high note with our first performance at the Hult Center with Peter Pan, A British Musical. With a new musical theatre production from the streets of London, the cast of over 80 kids took the stage for two shows and wowed audiences with new music, the sets and the joy that only young people can create on stage. A huge leap of faith for the Crow and a milestone was reached for the directors.

How do you top that? Since the Crow is built on miracles, we have to stop and thank all the generous donations to the theatre program this past year. Jonathan Siegle, well known and admired director in the Eugene/Springfield area, was so taken with our program that he donated and installed a new lighting system to the Crows Nest theatre. Ward Fairburn, sound guy extraordinaire stepped in this year, donating and installing a fabulous new sound system.

But wait, that's not all! Jonathan is eager to build an adult theatre program at the Crow, making our humble abode not only a great place for kids but as a feeder system for adult theatre. We have had several students graduate from the children's theatre department and move on to the UO and Lane Community theatre programs. They are thrilled at the notion that they can continue their careers in acting with such a great mentor and work in the place they have called home for so many years. What an exciting opportunity.

So if you have not been to the Crow lately, you better fly on in (pun definitely intended) and see all that is new this Fall season. We have a new music department offering piano and vocal classes for group and private sessions for all ages. The dance department, All That!, is adding an Acro class combining dance and gymnastics.

No wonder why this raven maven hasn't had time to keep up with the blog. Keep checking back as this raven obviously has a lot to crow about!