At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

How can festival be over? We were just spending every spare minute on it just a few minutes ago. Weren’t we? Oh, that’s right. It was more than a few minutes ago. It was two weeks ago. My goodness. Time really does fly when you’re having fun! And I don’t know why, but this festival seemed such good fun – I saw twelve of the movies -- and I found every one to be excellent. I liked some more than others, but the films I saw were delightful. I did so love The Painted Veil – I’m going to see it for the third time on Thursday – because it was beautiful to look at and so complex in its portraits of the characters. We are so complex, we humans, in who we love and why. It’s never simple, is it?

Speaking of festival, I need to say thank you a million times to all the wonderful people who help us put gala night together. I think this was the best gala yet – we got great advice from Cliff Daniels of the incomparable Epicurean Delight so that our dessert line was simply rocko-socko no time at all and everyone had sweet delicacies on their plates. So thank you Epicurean, for your fantastic food, Twigs for your delicious (and beautiful) roll-ups and Antler Ridge Winery for the superb wines that made the evening so festive.

I think this is our best festival ever as far as attendance is concerned. This past Friday night, the start of week two of festival, The Good German nearly sold out – 181 people came to see it! And when I went to see The Painted Veil for the second time I had to hunt for a seat! So, as well as thanking all who helped, let me thank all of you, dear friends, whose stellar attendance at these films has broken all our previous records! This is just too, too cool!

So we have two terrific kiddie movies for you this week. We have Meet The Robinson’s from Disney – G rated - - (how rare is that????) and then we have Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (of which I know absolutely nothing. I’ve never seen them. Don’t know about them. Kids love ‘em.) And because these are two kiddie movies – when you bring your kids they will get a special deal on a small popcorn and soda combo -- $1.00 off! So bring the kids to either of those movies and enjoy a “sale” on the best snack food this side of the Mississippi!

And for the grown-ups we have Miss Potter. This is the charming and beautiful story of Beatrix Potter – the woman who, until J.K.Rowling came along, was the best selling children’s author of all time! Her stories of Peter Rabbit charmed the world. And trust me, this movie will charm you. For those of you who love festival movies, Miss Potter would have been one if they would have let us book it in time. This is a movie you will remember forever and a story of a courageous and talented woman who gave the world some the most memorable characters ever.

Just a little cultural note – we now have Beginner’s Yoga in the theater on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Our dear Melissa is teaching it and it really is geared for those who have never experienced the joys of yoga before. Margie and the gang swear by it. So much so that I’m going to take it myself. I could use a dash of calm now and again. Call 996-1500 to reserve your space.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

The Spring 2007 Film Festival has been quite a success! To see how excited and enthusiastic festivalgoers are about these really fantastic art, independent, and foreign films is so encouraging. Some of our patrons during the festival stay and see two, three or four films in a single day. Dietrich Theater Program Director, Margie Young, was amazed at the lavish costumes and settings in “The Curse of the Golden Flower” and was awed by the beautiful landscape throughout China as shown in “The Painted Veil”. Tomorrow will be the last day of the festival so join us for our final showings of “The History Boys”, “The Good German”, “Notes on a Scandal” and “The Painted Veil”.

Our Yoga for Beginners class with certified hatha yoga instructor Melissa Russo continues to grow. I have started taking it and love it. It is completely relaxing and reenergizing at the same time! In this beginner class, Melissa focuses on the importance of deep breathing, breath awareness and training to support gentle yoga practice. What is so great about this class is that Melissa provides variations to yoga poses for participants with different physical needs. We will continue Yoga for Beginners through May on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 -11:00 a.m.

Our ballroom dancing class for beginners is also off to a great start. We have had so much interest from adults, that instructor Connie Kintner has offered to teach a ballroom dancing class for students over the summer. How great is that! On Thursdays from 10:00 - 11:30 am, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, and 9, students ages 12 and up will be invited to learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five-week introductory ballroom dancing class. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information or to register.

We also have had a great response to our Basketry from Around the World Exhibit by Susi Nuss and Jessie Reppy Keker. It is simply gorgeous. If you would like to learn how to make your own baskets, basketmaker Susi Nuss will be teaching an “Introduction to Natural Basketry Workshop” on Friday, May 11th from 7:00 -9:00 pm and Saturday, May 12th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Students will learn how to recognize, process and weave natural materials and weave their own rectangular basket. Adults and students ages 16 and up are invited to participate. Admission is $80, materials are provided. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

For families in May, Donna Hill will be at the Dietrich for our Second Saturday on Saturday, May 12th at 11 am. Come meet Donna, local singer/songwriter, and her guide dog, Hunter, a four-year-old Labrador Retriever for a morning of fun. You will have the opportunity to sing along and also learn how guide dogs can make life easier for blind people. Admission is free.

Remember, now is the time to sign up for summer classes and camps. For a listing of classes at the Dietrich, visit www.dietrichtheater.com.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your wonderful imagination and learn all about acting and theater. Activities covered include acting techniques, theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, play making, character creation and more! Students will create their own characters and stories while learning how to act and how much fun theater is. A casual performance will end the week if time allows. Each camp will feature a completely different story and characters so students are welcome to sign up for both weeks.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 18 - 22 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 6 - 10 from 1:00 -2:30 pm.

Admission $50 per week.

Instructor: Michaela Moore of All About Theatre

Ahoy Matey! Pirates and Treasure: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Come find hidden treasure and learn the ancient secrets of pirates! Go on treasure hunts, make a pirate costume (boy or girl...yes there were girl pirates...)and make up your own unique play about...you guessed it - PIRATES! Come aboard our ship for a week and join the fun! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 6 -10 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for adults.

Saturdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $30 per person.

Instructor: Connie Kintner.

Ballroom Dancing for Kids, ages 12 and up.

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for kids.

Thursdays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, from 10:00 - 11:30 am

Admission is free. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Instructor: Connie Kintner

Decorative Painting for Adults - Spring and Summer

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm through August 29.

Admission: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids, ages 8 and up

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Learn some decorative painting techniques and turn a plain wooden box into a work of art for Mom - make wrapping paper too!Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Make a decorative box for Father's Day and wrapping paper to wrap it in.

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Digital Arts Camp, for ages 8 -13

Explore the arts through claymation, robotics and special effects.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making for ages 14 to adult

In this ten week course, students will begin with basic characterization and end up with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story, and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:00 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7. Saturday, April 28th - Claymation: 10 am - 12:30 pm. Film Making: 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making, for students in 7th and 8th grades

In this ten week course, students will begin with the basics of characterization and end with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7. Saturday, April 28 - claymation from 10 am - 12:30 pm and filmmaking from 1 - 4 pm.

Admission is free!

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Have a blast discovering these fascinating ancient reptiles. Make up live dinosaur adventures in costumes and create art that is all about preshistoric creatures. Stomp through fossils and long extinct mammals and reptiles while learning fantastic facts. Come be a meat eater or a plant eater for a week at the Dietrich! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, June 18 -22 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore.

Everhart Explorations, ages 5 - 12

Make it a scienterrific summer! Discover facts, features, and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with the Everhart has never been so exciting!

Mondays, July 9, 16, 23, 30. Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am. Ages 9 -12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind".

Tuesdays through May 15 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free!

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Spring

"Rolling Stone" - Learn about and use unique Pennsylvania fabrics as you create your own interpretation of this classic quilt design that was popular in the 1800s.

Wednesdays through May 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6/ class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Summer

"Farmers Market" - Quilting is food for the soul! Fashion a tablerunner or throw for an indoor or outdoor setting made with fruit and vegetable print fabrics, homespuns and more. Learn the basics of sewing and quilting.

Wednesdays, June 6 - July 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission is $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Introduction to Natural Basketry

This class is designed for students to learn how to recognize, process and weave natural materials. Each student will have the opportunity to weave their own rectangular basket. For adults and students ages 16 and up.

Friday, May 11 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials are provided.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Leonardo Da Vinci - His Life and Ideas

Da Vinci's interests and accomplishments will be explored as children sketch birds and other animals, try mirror writing, make a lute, and even learn a little Italian!

Monday - Friday, July 30 - August 3 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Amy Colley.

Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 1 - April 13, 20, 27, May 4. Session 2 - May 11, 18, 25, June 1.

Admission is $35 for four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Move Over Mr. Spielberg, for ages 14 to adult

Learn how to create your own digital films using a digital camera and a computer. Using everything from clay actors to human ones, the class will shoot, edit, score and output several short films in the course of a week.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 2 - May 1, 8, 15, 22. Session 3 - July 10, 17, 24, 31.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 2 - April 30, May 7, 14, 21. Session 3 - July 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Spring

"Outside the Box" - Play with courageous and unique color choices as you learn to quilt these magical boxes. Learn about old and new quilts inspired by a classic quilt design.

Wednesdays through June 6 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Summer

"Secret Garden" - Design and sew a garden quilt. Make this quilt all your own with colorful fabrics. With a seed of imagination, you might find dandelions, bugs and a cat in your garden patch quilt.

Wednesdays, June 13 - July 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission is $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Theatre Workshop, for Middle and High School Students

Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a week of fun as they learn about stage combat, improv, Pandora's Box, games, dance choreography and more!

Mondays - Fridays, June 25 -29 from 10 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Patti Dunning and Carl Canedy of First Act Children's Theatre.

Under the Sea: Theater and Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 -12

Mermaids, sharks and underwater adventures! Ever wonder what it would be like to live uder the sea, be a mermaid or even a shark? Come find out at this salt water camp that is all about the ocean. Create costumes, pottery, watercolors (how appropriate), stories and plays for a week of splashy fun!

Monday - Friday, July 9 - 13 from 10 am - noon.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for Beginners

Create a strong foundation of breath awareness and training to support your gentle yoga practice. Variations will be given to meet all physical needs including chair variations as alternatives to floor poses. Dress comfortably and bring a mat or blanket and pillow.

Tuesdays from 10 -11 am. May 1, 18, 15, 22.

Admission: $10/class

Certified Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo.

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo