Donors are needed to help sponsor the orchestra for the symphonic version of this epic musical
The Rochester Community School District is proud to present a new and exciting version of Children of Eden. Featuring a stunning score by Oscar® and Grammy Award® winning composer Stephen Schwartz, this version by German composer Manfred Knaak, takes Schwartz’ original score and arranges it for a full orchestra of 35 to 40 musicians. This is only the third time this version has been heard in the United States, and it is the first amateur production to be performed worldwide.
Because of this exciting undertaking, the Summer Music Theatre (SMT) program is looking for sponsors to help support the cost of having professional musicians play alongside the student musicians in the orchestra. The goal of raising $2400 will pay for the cost of hiring extra musicians to bring the score to life in all its orchestral majesty. Donors will receive free advertising space in the program booklet, as well as special mention in the program with the names of the musicians.
Donors who give $500 or more will receive two complementary tickets to any performance in addition to advertising space and special mention. Donors who give $5000 or more will be listed as show sponsors on all press and publicity materials and will be given free full-page ads, as well as two complementary tickets and special mention in the program.
This summer’s production will be directed by Joanna Pillsbury. Performances for the 2015 Summer Music Theatre production of Children of Eden: The Symphonic Version, are scheduled from July 22 – July 25 at the Rochester High School.
SMT continues to be an annual tradition for the Rochester area community. Each summer offers a different musical theatre production as an opportunity for students entering grades 6-12 to study the theatre process on-stage, in the pit, and back-stage. SMT is operated as a professional production, from auditions through staging and presentation. This year SMT will also allow a limited number of students entering grades 3-5.
Auditions for Children of Eden will be held on June 15 at 8 a.m. Call backs are scheduled for June 16, beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. Children of Eden has choreography by Aubrey Fink, vocal direction by Cat Menzies, orchestra direction by Matthew Croft, costume design by Janice Pareyt, and puppet design by Jessica Herron. Children of Eden is produced through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Freely based on the story of Genesis, Children of Eden is a frank, heartfelt and often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Adam, Eve, Noah, and the “Father” who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. The show delivers a bittersweet but inspiring message: “The hardest part of love… is letting go.”
Students must be registered for SMT through the Rochester Community Schools Summer Learning Program. Go to: www.rochester.k12.mi.us/pages/79753/summer-learning-program.
For those interested in donating to the program or for more information, please contact SMT Director Jo Anna Pillsbury at jpillsbury@rochester.k12.mi.us, 248-561-4558, or go to AdamsTheatre.com and click on the link for SMT.
Orchestra Director Matthew Croft is also available to assist prospective sponsors. He can be reached at matthew.paul.croft@gmail.com, 248-425-1424.
Rochester Community Schools Mission
To provide a quality education in a caring atmosphere for students to attain the necessary skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners and contribute to a diverse, interdependent and changing world.
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