Dear friends,
We at
Rehearsal for Life
are proud to introduce a new addition to the team,
Elena Velasco
(below right), as Executive & Artistic Director, beginning July 1, 2020!
|
|
Elena comes to us from her previous roles as Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Theatre Arts at Bowie State University, Co-Director of Multiculturalism and Diversity at American Alliance for Theatre and Education, and Founding Artistic Director of the Washington, DC-based theatre company Convergence Theatre.
|
|
Elena brings tremendous depth of experience in developing core arts and theater programs, as well as in creating strong partnerships with others in the arts community. In addition to her experience as a director and actor, Elena is a seasoned organizational leader, well-positioned to navigate these challenging times and to ensure our growth and continued success.
With Elena’s arrival, on a bittersweet note, we now say farewell to
Francie Karlen
as Executive Director. With guidance from our founders, Francie has led Rehearsal for Life for over four years with the intent to build a bridge to new leadership and sustainability for the future.
With her mission accomplished, she will return to her role as a Board member.
Join me in sending her good wishes
, and if you are able,
consider a gift to RFL
in her honor!
Sincerely,
James Benenson, Chair, Board of Directors
|
|
MEET
ELENA VELASCO,
Our New Executive & Artistic Director!
|
|
Elena Velasco (right) is an experienced theater artist and producer, performer, and choreographer, with focuses in educational theater and social justice.
|
|
DC-area theater artist, educator, and activist
Elena Velasco
will join Rehearsal for Life as our new Executive & Artistic Director this July, bringing with her decades of experience in theater creation, performance, production, education, and social justice.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Elena to Rehearsal for Li
fe,” says Francie Karlen, our outgoing Executive Director. "We could not be more excited by the opportunities afforded RFL to serve a critical community need with Elena at the helm."
Elena is "so excited to join Rehearsal for Life... and I’m looking forward to taking this mission even further."
Read our Q&A with Elena
and visit her
website
to learn more!
🎭
|
|
Urban Improv presents... the Group Scene Festival!
|
|
Closing out the school year in style,
Urban Improv
hosted its first-ever
Group Scene Festiva
l
! What IS a Group Scene Festival? Students submitted
their
ideas for characters, stories, and scenes (including some with a FREEZE!) for our ensemble to bring to life. Over 50 "scripts" were pitched, and five were selected and filmed. The June 10 premiere was shared with all Urban Improv students in our final
Classroom Care Package
. Collaborating on group scenes helps our students build community as they communicate with each other and work together.
🎭
|
|
From haunted cats to football touchdowns, our students had a lot to say for the Group Scene Festival!
|
|
F
reelance Players: Never Say Die!
|
|
Determined
to keep our students connected and creative after school closures, our
Freelance Players
program
innovated new ways to showcase our talented students.
Through consistent weekly rehearsals over Zoom, enthusiastic participation from our young performers, and hard work from directors and their assistants, all six Troupes succeeded triumphantly in producing final
digital
productions. Five played recorded videos for Zoom "watch parties," and
one performed their play LIVE
on
Zoom via YouTube livestream!
Catch any of the productions you missed in the
Freelance Players playlist
on Rehearsal for Life’s
Youtube channel
. Bravo to our resilient, unstoppable young performers and our intrepid adults, from staff to family supporters!
🎭
|
|
The opening of the
Jamaica Plain Troupe
's LIVE Zoom performance of
America's Next Top Monster
introduces us to its colorful cast of characters. Plus, check out their
virtual playbill
!
|
|
This month, Rehearsal for Life earned a
2020 Silver Seal of Transparency
by adding information to our Nonprofit Profile on
GuideStar
. Now our community, supporters, and 10+ million GuideStar users can find in-depth financial information about our organization. Plus, we’ve provided fresh information to 200+ charitable websites and applications that use GuideStar data, such as
AmazonSmile
, Facebook, and
Network for Good
. What do you think?
Check out our profile
!
|
|
Support Our Students
Our fiscal year ends
June 30
, so
make a gift now
! Your generous contribution helps us continue to grow and serve our students, who need our support now more than ever. Thank you for supporting the young people of Boston and beyond at this crucial time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
