N.C. Theatre Conservatory offers pre-professional training for young people

Now in its 11th year, the N.C. Theatre Conservatory's offering includes a summer program for middle schoolers and up, along with year-round classes for all ages.

Posted 12:03 a.m. Jul 14, 2015 — Updated 12:03 a.m. Jul 14, 2015

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

I'm excited that two talented and young singers from the 11-year-old N.C. Theatre Conservatory will be performing on stage at Go Ask Mom's event at North Hills' Midtown Park on Tuesday. (I know ... sounding a bit like a broken record this week sharing details about our event, which is 10 a.m. to noon, July 14).

Josh Keen and Carly Grissom will take the stage to sing selections from "Crazy For You," which the Conservatory will perform next month at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in Raleigh, along with other favorites. Keen and Grissom are two of the leads in the show. Keen will play Bobby Child; Grissom will be Polly Baker.

Keen, a junior at Triton High School in Dunn, is entering his seventh year at the Conservatory. He's also performed in the N.C. Theatre's The Little Mermaid, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who's Tommy, Oliver, and Evita.

Recent credits for Grissom, a rising junior at Broughton High School in Raleigh, include Les Misérables, Evita and Oliver.

"Crazy For You" is a production by students in the Conservatory's Summer Master Theatre Arts School, a four-week summer camp with an emphasis on pre-professional training that culminates in a full-scale musical production. The students get to learn and grow with professionals who have worked in the theater business for years. "Crazy For You," for instance, is being directed and choreographed by Tito Hernandez, who has many Broadway and national tour credits to his name.

The summer program is designed for middle schoolers to rising college students. And it's one of many of the N.C. Theatre's educational efforts, which offer programs for preschoolers to adults. Registration for fall classes is now open.

Thanks to support from the City of Raleigh, the Conservatory will get to perform on stage at the AJ Fletcher Opera Theater instead of their North Raleigh stage, allowing them to perform before a larger audience.

These are great opportunities for kids interested in performing and the theater. The N.C. Theatre's website has much more information about all of their programs, which run all year.

"Crazy For You" runs Aug. 14 to Aug. 16 in Raleigh. The show features the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930′s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include “I Can’t Be Bothered Now”, “Bidin’ My Time” and “I Got Rhythm." Tickets start at $25.

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