MRT'S YOUNG COMPANY RETURNS

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 13, 2017
PR CONTACT: Michael Glicksman, michael.glicksman@mrt.org
PR CONTACT PHONE: 978-654-7555
BOX OFFICE: 978-654-4678
ONLINE:  mrt.org

MRT’S YOUNG COMPANY RETURNS

One-of-a-kind youth program has kids and teens tell their own stories through theatre, in the summer and all year long

Lowell, MA – Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) announces the return of Young Company, the youth program which has students in middle and high school tell their own stories through theatre. The one-of-a-kind program for middle and high school students starts with a two-week summer session working with leading theatre artists from around the country, then continues through the following spring with invaluable access to the inner workings of professional theatre at MRT.


MRT held an open house for the program on March 5, in which prospective students sat in on a rehearsal for “Chill,” which opens at MRT on March 22, and worked directly with playwright Eleanor Burgess. A second open house is scheduled for Sunday April 9, when students will work with singer/actress Charissa Bertels, composer Edward Bell, and writer Christian Duhamel, the creative team of “My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend.”


More information is available at www.mrt.org/YoungCompany


A Fully Immersive Experience
With tons of youth theatre programs out there, Young Company stands out for its commitment to engaging kids and teens in the whole theatre-making experience—from writing to performance and more—not just in the summer, but throughout the entire MRT season. Students work with top industry professionals, many of whom appear on or write for the MRT stage.


Last year’s teaching artists included actor John Gregorio (MRT’s “Going to See the Kid” and “Home of the Brave”), choreographer Wendy Seyb (“The Pee-Wee Herman Show”) as well as playwrights Nick Gandiello (MRT’s “Oceanside”) and Lila Rose Kaplan (“Home of the Brave”), whose plays both premiered at the theatre in the last year. This year’s program promises a similarly excellent lineup of nationally recognized theatre artists.


After the summer session, students continue to work with MRT’s artists at workshops, rehearsal sit-ins, and more throughout the season, including free attendance at performances.


Telling Their Own Stories
In line with MRT’s mission to bring vibrant new work to its Lowell stage, MRT’s Young Company is committed to helping young people find their own theatrical voices. Students don’t simply mount a production – they build one from the ground up, using their own ideas, their own words, and their own experiences to create a work for the MRT stage, which is performed at the culmination of the summer session.


When and Where
MRT’s Young Company two summer sessions will take place July 10 – 21 (for middle school students entering grades 6-8) and July 24 – August 4 (for high school students entering grades 9-12).


The April 9 Open House will be held in MRT’s rehearsal space at 132 Warren Street from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, and is open to any prospective student in Middle or High School.


More information is available at www.mrt.org/YoungCompany
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