Abby - New to Some, Familiar to Others

Abby and Kerry improvise a scene in rehearsal.

Let's jump back to the acting side of things of Veni, Vidi, Vici with Abby who joins the cast and crew of Signature in the Schools for the first time. 

"In the past year, Signature in the Schools has become such an important part of my life. I met David (Director), Matt (Dramaturg) and Karl (actor) during Anne and Emmett in the fall and knew several of the cast from the Fine Arts Apprentice Program, but I was still a newcomer to this particular part of the program. It was a little intimidating. But, from day one, I realized I had found a place where I could feel safe. It is a program incredibly centered on trust, so even on the first day I felt comfortable and respected. Everyone was there to learn and have fun, and that was a really exciting environment to be in.

Karl and Abby in Anne and Emmett

One of the unique parts of the Signature in the Schools program is “Boot Camp”. Boot Camp is basically three weeks of extremely intense dramaturgy, acting technique, and bonding to train as an ensemble for the show we will put on in March. The tech and actors come for dramaturgy days and only actors go for the acting technique days.

This year the theme is Imperialism, which is essentially the history of the world. I have never really liked learning about history. And that’s what the dramaturgy days were—learning about history. But the subject matter (Imperialism) is taught in a way that personalizes the information. It helped me realize why knowing how people acted five thousand years ago may be relevant now. It’s crazy that after so many years of learning history in school, I finally have discovered how to become passionate about it.

Abby and Karl are back together in
Signature in the Schools

Acting days are less focused on Imperialism and more focused on basics of acting and trust as a group. Everyone takes the exercises we do very seriously (not to say they’re all serious, they range from intense to hysterical) which allows for some pretty incredible things to happen. It’s pretty amazing what a group of teenagers can do together if they listen to one another and focus. I remember saying that I wish every teenager could have the chance to do some of the exercises we do and have a place where they feel comfortable expressing their ideas and themselves because I have not just bettered my acting skills, but I have learned about myself and the world. You simply can’t find that kind of experience just anywhere.

Abby was a student of Signature's 2014 Stage One program
this past summer.

Last Monday, the day we got our script, my cast mate Brandi and I were texting each other the entire day at school counting down the minutes until we would get to Signature. That sums up my feeling every day now. I always want to be there. And since everyone, actors and tech, learn and grow together, as an ensemble, Boot Camp has made me positive we will all work our butts off to produce an awesome show!"

Be sure to check back in the coming weeks to hear more from the amazing 20th Anniversary cast and crew of Signature in the Schools. For more information on the program be sure to check out our web page. Tickets for this year's production will be available soon through the Signature Theatre Box Office at 703 820 9771.

Read More

Signature in the Schools - Anne and Emmett

Signature in the Schools has long sought out to expand as much as possible. We as an educational organization want to spread the joy of interacting with the theatrical arts to as many people as humanly possible. The following production will help us reach out to an even greater number of individuals we had otherwise been unable to reach due to time, resources and barriers. There just isn't enough time in the day to do all the things we want to do here at Signature Theatre!

A young Anne Frank.

Through Arlington Public Schools , in association with Signature in the Schools program, is proud to present Anne and Emmett by Janet Langhart Cohen. The production, which features two Arlington County high school students and two professional actors, Christopher Bloch and Ashley Ware, focuses on the life and times of Anne Frank and Emmett Till.

The play itself is comprised of a fictional meeting between the two individuals. Anne is seen as a hopeful and inspiring figure for the Jewish people while the bright and hopeful Emmett is a rallying beacon of support for African-Americans. Over the course of the play, both Anne and Emmett share parts of their lives with one another and see how much they have in common.

Otto Frank, Anne's father.

Annelies Marie "Anne" Frank was a young diarist and writer in the early 20^th century. One of the most talked about victims of the Holocaust during World War II, Anne’s wartime diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, has inspired millions and been the basis for many different plays and films. In May of 1940, Anne and her family were trapped in Amsterdam by the German occupation of the Netherlands. As Jewish persecution increased the family went into hiding in concealed rooms in the building where Anne's father worked. After hiding for two years, the group was betrayed and sent to concentration camps in Germany. Anne was ultimately transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died of typhus in 1945. Anne’s diary survived and was later published by her father following the war to keep her spirit and memory alive in 1947.

Emmett Till

The other driving force behind this play is none other than Emmett Till. Emmett Louis Till was an African-American teenager from the early 20^th century. Emmett was from Chicago, Illinois, and in 1955 was visiting his relatives in the Mississippi Delta region, when he supposedly flirted with the white 21-year-old married proprietor of a small grocery store there. Several nights later, the husband of the woman, Roy, and his half brother J.W. took Till away to a barn, where they beat him and gouged out his eyes. The pair shot him through the head and disposed of his body in the Tallahatchie River. The subsequent trial and handling of the Emmett Till case caused a sensation among the African American community and eventually led to the start of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States of America.

Roy and J.W. celebrating their release
and success following the trial for
Emmett's murder.

Both Anne Frank and Emmett Till bring incredible history and lessons to contemporary audiences. Signature Theatre is elated to bring this informative and important show production to the students, faculty and individuals of Arlington County. This production in particular is incredibly relevant in today’s society, as it help teach and highlight just how destructive prejudice and bigotry can be.

There will be one public performance of Anne and Emmett on November 8^th at 2 PM at WakefieldHigh School. Tickets are available online at www.apsva.us/artseducation.

Read More