[NEohioPAL] Canal Fulton Players- Forging a New Relationship with Echoing Ridge

[DVangaasbe at aol.com]

Canal Fulton  Players and Echoing Ridge Forge New Relationship
 
       On August 8, 2008, Rick White, the coordinator of Community 
Connections of  Echoing Ridge Residential Center, and David Van Gaasbeek, Artistic 
Director and  Producer of the Canal Fulton Players, signed an agreement that forged 
a new  relationship between the two entities.  The Players are going to 
present  acting and theatre classes to any interested residents of Echoing Ridge  
Residential Center during the 2008-2009 theatre season.  The residents of  
Echoing Ridge are people with special needs who live in either assisted or  
independent living arrangements.  
“This  is a great opportunity for both the theatre and the center since we 
are bringing  something to the residents that will brighten their days.  
Theatre,  especially light comedy, is something that the residents can use not only 
in  full length productions but also in short skits,” said Mr. Van Gaasbeek.   “
I am looking forward to helping in any way the residents to form a theatre  
troupe of their own.  This is a win-win situation for both  groups.”
Starting in September, classes will  be presented at least once per month on 
Saturday mornings at the Community  Connections Center on 2393 Locust Street, 
Canal Fulton, Ohio.  The classes  will involve script analysis, 
characterization, improvisation, voice projection,  blocking, movement, set design and 
construction, lighting, sound, production  arts including marketing, box office, 
concessions, seating, playbills, and  ushering, stage management, musical 
theatre, direction, and prop management and  procurement.
The residents will also in the 2008-2009  theatre season be involved if they 
so desire in various facets of the  productions of the Canal Fulton Players.  “
There is more to theatre than  just acting.  Allowing the residents to 
participate this year in stage  crew, lighting, props, costuming, production, and 
sound will reinforce what we  teach at the classes.  It will also allow the 
Players’ casts and crews to  actively give any hands on direction so the residents 
can move forward and form  their own troupe,” said Mr. Van Gaasbeek.
One aspect of  this year’s theatre schedule is that on March 13-15, 2009 and 
May 8-10, 2009,  the Players will give performances of On Golden Pond and Once 
Upon a Mattress at  the Community Connections facilities at 2393 Locust 
Street, Canal Fulton,  Ohio.  The residents will help the Players’ casts and crews 
build the sets  and help with the various aspects of the actual production.  
The residents  will also run the concession stands.  They also can come at a 
special price  and watch the productions.  “Sometimes the best teacher is 
observation,”  said Mr. Van Gaasbeek.  “A resident can now watch and learn while 
skilled  actors perform.”
The ultimate goal is that the residents  with the Players’ help will not only 
produce a talent show for the community but  also invite other facilities 
with individuals with special needs to  participate.  After that talent show, the 
residents will be free to  participate with their troupe or come and 
participate with the Players.   The Players will be able to do the same thing.  “The 
arts and theatre just  got a royal booster shot with this agreement,” said Mr. 
Van  Gaasbeek.
Those who are interested in helping the Canal  Fulton Players and the 
residents of Echoing Ridge should contact either David  Van Gaasbeek at 330-494-1022 
or 330-854-4387 or Rick White at  330-854-9759.  It is pure volunteer work but 
the reward will be far greater  than what money can buy.




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