GREAT BAY – Behind the Beyond Community Theatre Foundation is a new foundation created to stimulate new dimensions in theatre enjoyment and production on St. Maarten. The Foundation lends its name to the hugely successful production of the Stephen Leacock comedy play, Behind the Beyond, staged earlier this year, by Cor Sikkes’ partner, Ukranian director and drama teacher, Albina Matuzko. The foundation will be officially launched with an open house in September to which invitations will be extended to all. And those who are interested in the theatre arts will be invited to come to see what the Foundation has to offer.
“It was a logical step to set up a foundation to continue with the hard work and commitment to theatre on the island by Albina”, explained Sikkes. “Another important factor was all the encouragement and positive comments received from theatre-goers and members of the public after the stating of Behind the Beyond earlier this year. People said they missed this form of theatre and very much wanted us to continue.”
Sikkes and members of the foundation believe they can provide a unique opportunity for theatre lovers on the island to fully experience a wide range of “Live Theatre” possibilities embracing and benefiting from a multicultural diversity and variable experiences that already exists on the island. “We truly intend to fully explore a world which is far beyond the Island’s reality. Generous and kind comments from the theatre community on St. Maarten is the motivation behind the foundation’s serious thought about a mission and a goal to recover traditions of the community theatre as a platform to encourage people of different generations and cultural backgrounds to meet each other to explore, experience, express and exchange through the dramatic arts and to serve the cultural, educational and entertainment needs of the community.”
“It was not by accident that we decided to keep the name of our first show in forming our new foundation. We want to remind ourselves always, our audiences, and our sponsors, that there is a lot going on all around us that we should stop and pay attention to instead of always dealing with clichéd themes and topics that are continuously being explored through skits and shows, while the real underbelly of the community continues to flourish almost in an invisible world. We must make time to listen and look out beyond the daily vanities and routines to find the comedic and also tragic nuances to expose things that can be very meaningful to the soul,” said the director, Albina Matuzko.
“We are so happy and fortunate to have others who passionately believe that theatre can be a powerful force to transform and unite the island’s multicultural community, building empathy, compassion, understanding, inclusion of all of us, and appreciation and value of everyone inside the St. Maarten community,” she continued.
The theatrical director says B the B will provide opportunities for artistic growth for youth and adults through Dramatic Arts, offering theatre performances, drama and acting workshops, master classes and acting classes which will be challenging, inspiring, stimulating and fun to develop and build artistic freedom in each individual. Behind the Beyond Community Theatre will consist of the Behind the Beyond Theatre Lab, Children Theatre Company, and Drama School.
Behind the Beyond Theatre Lab is an adult company opened for everyone from age 16 years and older, who would like to be involved in making diverse, exceptional, affordable, accessible theatre of genres such as Play, Drama, Comedy, Tragedy, Mask theatre, Clowning, Puppetry, Storytelling, and multi-disciplinal shows.
Behind The Beyond Children Theatre Company is for 6 to 16-year-olds who will be selected by audition or during participation in regular drama/theatre/acting classes. No experience is required – the selection is based on discipline, agreement and commitment. Students work on acting and performing skills needed for particular stage production such as character and script work, body and emotional expression, and actor’s voice. Audition in the same form as for adult company will take place on August 26th or Sept 2 (optional) from 9 to 10:30 am. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays 5-6:30 and Saturdays 9-10:30 and will start on Sept 5th.
BEHIND THE BEYOND DRAMA SCHOOL is a drama and acting classes for kids 6-8yrs, bigger kids ages 9-13, and teens 14-18 yrs. Classes include drama games, improvisations, acting exercises, body and face expressions exercises, role-playing and story-telling. Students will gain concentration, listening, and speaking skills, and obtain creative freedom.
“Various roles are open to members of the public who would like to work behind the scenes, get involved in the local productions without being on state, assist with the gathering of props and theatrical clothing and most importantly, assist with fund-raising activities. We would love to hear from anyone who is interested in the development of theatre arts on Sint Maarten, who can assist our non-profit foundation as a volunteer in any way,” said the director, Matuzko.
“You may be interested in the production process, or you may simply have some good ideas about improving our facilities. You may be someone with things at home that you want to donate, such as chairs, tables, theatrical-looking clothes, old fashioned accessories, pillows, etc… all things that we can use at our new venue. Cor will be happy to hear from helpers, donors and sponsors and can be contacted at the following e-mail address btbtheatresxm@gmail.com. All our activities take place at new creative center Time Out, which is at the Lagoon, end of Well Road, next to Water World in Cole Bay.” For more information contact 522-6883 or 5548737.
Source: TODAY http://today.sx/education/theatre-arts-foundation-launches-september/
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