<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#990000">Kelly Pekar</font></b>, an original alum of FPAC from our first year in 2004, wrote to me today to tell me what she has been up to...</font></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">She told me that <b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099">"FPAC contributed immensely to my "actor toolbox," and continues to serve me as I brave the audition room day after day!"</font></b></font></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">Back in 2004, shortly after she started college (she ended up transferring), Kelly wrote this letter ...</font></span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b>"This past summer at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory was a wonderful experience and I thank you so much! Now that I have been in college for a semester, I am realizing just how valuable the acting training was at FPAC. I am finding that the program has prepared me more for a career in theatre than many of my college classes have. FPAC took time to critique each individual student in a supportive, nurturing environment. My college program has neglected to teach many of the character development concepts and the idea of "behaving truthfully and naturally" as opposed to "acting." I feel so honored to have gotten the opportunity to work with numerous area professionals last summer, as opposed to the same one or two teachers that are common in the college setting. Looking back, I know I really would have missed out had I not participated in FPAC last summer, and I certainly wouldn't be where I am now in terms of my acting capabilities. I think that FPAC is certainly valuable for any college student who wishes to pursue a career in theatre."</b></font></font></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b>Here is what Kelly is up to now ...</b></font></span></div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif">Following graduation from Wright State University's BFA Acting/Musical Theatre program, Kelly enjoyed an exciting year at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, working with Tony Award winning director John Doyle on </font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Three Sisters</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, playing Roxanne in a touring production of </font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Cyrano</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, covering Louisa in </font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">The Fantasticks</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, and workshopping a number of exciting new works. After moving to NYC in August, Kelly began singing for the U.S. tour of </font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Cirque Dreams Holidaze, </em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">in November. Currently, Kelly is working on several voiceover projects, which include dubbing the voice of Susan (an uncoordinated but passionate young volleyball player) for the upcoming pilot of</font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Spike Team</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, working as a teaching artist for</font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Acting Out</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, and </font><em style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Applause NYC</em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">, and performing at various character parties/events including a recent favorite gig - appearing as Dorothy at FAO Schwartz. </font><div>
<font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><b><a href="http://www.fairmountcenter.org/FPACsummer/">Click here for information about FPAC Summer Programs</a></b></font></font></div>
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</b></font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><b><a href="http://www.fairmountcenter.org/FPACsummer/"></a><br clear="all"></b></font></font><br>
-- <br>Fred Sternfeld<div>Artistic Director, Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC)</div><div>Fairmount Center for the Arts<br>8400 Fairmount Road, PO Box 80<br>Novelty, Ohio 44072<br>440-338-3171<br>216-496-6087 - cell</div>
<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.fairmountcenter.org/popups/fredsternfeld.html" target="_blank">http://www.fairmountcenter.org/popups/fredsternfeld.html</a><br></div><br>
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