All photos by Jamie Foster Photography

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre has received a generous $3,000 grant from the Central Coast Funds for Children in support of our Academy of Creative Theatre production of Pinocchio, which runs January 10-26, 2014. Specifically, the grant underwrites free and discounted tickets to performances of Pinocchio for underserved children and families in collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO.) The tickets are being distributed through CAPSLO to families involved in Head Start and other programs for families and children. In addition, this generous grant has underwritten many of the costs associated with the production and the training of the students involved, including a unique marionette class taught by clown, puppeteer and theatre arts instructor, Gale McNeely.

Conner Allen as Gepetto and Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

ACT’s production of Pinocchio is directed by Shelagh Garren and features 23 student actors from the Little Theatre’s ACT educational program. The students have been rehearsing for this production since early October. The cast includes: Conner Allen, Eiligh Brevetz, Penny DellaPelle, Campbell Ellery, Isabella Grznar, Ella Harris, Laila Haughey, Lunabella Levin, Audrey Mason, Stella McSween, Zoe Peach-Riley, Serafina Regusci, Mia Ritter, Sienna Ritter, Ernesto Roide, Claire Romero, Alexis Rosinsky, Lauren Rudd, Cali Singleton, Elizabeth Tharp, Drew Vander Weele, Anouk von Ott and Trevyn Wong and Assistant Director Taylor Peters.

Cali Singleton as Swindle the Fox with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

“Participating in theatre encourages creativity and builds self-confidence” says ACT Coordinator Kerry DiMaggio. “ACT provides a creative, artistic, educational and FUN outlet for children who might not otherwise be engaged with their peers or other important adult role models. This generous grant from the Central Coast Funds for Children enables us to share this production of Pinocchio, not only with the students performing in the production, but with children and families throughout the county who might not otherwise be able to attend.”

Gepetto’s Workshop

ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF CREATIVE THEATRE
The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre provides year-round theatrical training for youth ages 5-18 (kindergarten through 12th grade.) ACT’s after-school programs, summer camps and theatrical production classes inspire young performers and technicians to develop skills which will benefit them throughout their lives, both on and off the stage. Students involved in ACT learn from professional artists in programs designed to help students explore creative self-expression and individuality. Whether our students choose to pursue theatre as a career, as volunteers or as audience members, our hope is their experience at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre will help them to develop a greater appreciation of the theatre arts and a stronger connection to their community.

Ernesto Roide as Candlewick with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

Thank you to Central Coast Funds for Children for supporting kids and the arts and don’t miss our production of Pinocchio, now through January 26th! (CLICK HERE for info and tickets!)

Alexis Rosinsky as Cricket with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio