Aidan Ziegler Hansen - Our Rising Star

After watching an old video of Aladdin from February 2005, it was striking to see Aidan in a principal role at the age of 10. Realizing he has been involved in the Theatre program at the Crow for over 8 years, is a tribute to the dedication of this young man. From principal to chorus, Aidan has displayed all the Rising Star attributes that say Crow. We recognize Aidan as a Rising Star not because he has been here so long, but because he is "always" here for the staff, cast and students in the building. His passion makes him an artist but his compassion truly make him a Crow. Ask any student at the Crow, and they will tell you they want to be like Aidan. They have seen him or watched him in a role and it has inspired them to take their place on stage. His role at the Studios inspires the younger students to set their own goals, gain self confidence and respect the strengths of the one as you work in a cast of many.

In his own words, Aidan talks about his life as a Crow.

"I plan to study musical theatre in college and become a working professional making a living performing.  

I am currently involved in the South Eugene High School select jazz choir, Dorians; South Eugene Theatre Program, currently working on Roger and Hammerstein's Carousel; Utah Ballroom Dance Company, semi professional touring dance company; All That! Dance Company; just finished working with the Angel Hair Foundation on their fundraiser performance Shall We Dance.

The Crow was the beginning.  That is where I first had the opportunity to perform and develop my love for the stage and performing arts.  The Crow gave me the support to realize my love of the theatre and inspired me to make my passion become my career." 

Aidan graduates this year from South Eugene High School. His rigorous academic program includes AP (advanced placement) classes, completing the highest math class offered at South and he maintains a 4.0 GPA. These are the stories about Aidan you don't hear. But we all know that wherever Aidan flies, the Crow will always be home.

Star On The Rise - Sabrina Gross

Our Star On The Rise this week is the lovely Sabrina Gross! No surprise as to the talent this girl has displayed since her role as Mrs. Pugh in Annie almost three years ago. Recently, Sabrina had an amazing adventure that has taken her dreams of being an actress to the next level.

After meeting with Seattle Talent in October, Sabrina, found herself in a whirlwind of workshops, auditions, vocal lessons and finally on the fast track to IPOP in Los Angeles. The experience was filled with the fast paced life of the Hollywood world. Running from one audition to the next, Sabrina was tested on so many levels of her talent. She was put through the paces in five categories: Singing, Monologue, Commercial, TV Beauty Commercial and Scene. In these categories, the beautiful Miss Gross scored in the Top Ten.

Interviews with managers, agents and talent producers followed, with 18 of them showing an interest in our Crow. Sabrina will be going to Los Angeles for the next three months to work and continue her dream, auditioning in the Pilot Season. She was described as a young Reese Witherspoon. Her school is making it possible for her to continue her studies while she is away and we at Upstart Crow will miss her triple threat talent her in the theatre and the dance studio.

Sabrina and her parents wanted to share their thoughts about her life at the Crow in their own words

"We are grateful and thankful for the growth and learning experience she has gained while at Upstart Crow and All That! Dance. Words cannot even express that enough! (Much of her resume' consists of her performances and experiences with both;-) She will always be a true Crow at heart!! And, if we end up in LA, I'm sure she is going to miss the 'goings on' at the theater and dance studio! It's like a second home to her! Thank you so much to you and everyone there for being the spark, flame, and catapult that directed Sabrina in a path that I'm sure will enrich her life forever!"

All our best wishes as we watch our Crow star, Sabrina Gross, fly away and continue to be on the rise!

A Magic Carpet Ride

Getting ready to welcome parents and cast members tonight for the Winter production of Aladdin. Always fun to start a new production and to see old faces, as well as the new ones. We will be producing this musical here at the Crow's Nest Theatre and at the Hult Center in March. Tonight along with a meet and greet, parents are invited to ask questions to learn more about the logistics of putting on a musical of this caliber.

With a large cast we double cast the principal roles. This gives us an opportunity to offer more roles. It also has the leads playing chorus one night, seeing both sides of the acting world. One of the biggest challenges is casting. The directors work very hard to make sure the role fits the child so that the focus is on their success. Call backs and final auditions will be held tomorrow, with casting decisions made within the week. Rehearsals begin on Thursday with basic acting skills for the new kids and a chance to read and stretch their acting muscles for the return students. Once the cast has been set, we move on to the challenge of costuming so many young people. Last year we had over 80 kids and we expect about the same number this year. Lots of roles in this production, so it will be interesting to see how it all comes together. We are also working on a couple of magical scenes to surprise and delight both cast and audience. So welcome to Agrabar! Hop aboard our magic carpet, sit back and enjoy the ride!

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!