(Morristown, NJ) - The Morris Museum and Bickford Theatre are pleased to announce that the popular Brightest Star Summer Musical Theatre Program has expanded to include courses for both youth and adults. The program, now called the Brightest Star School of Performing Arts, will provide year-round programs and courses in all areas of the performing arts. The summer program began at the Bickford in 2003 and has grown from a fledgling program of 35 students to now serving more than 250 participants.

“The Bickford Theatre has always educated the future theatre-goers through its productions and presentations,” said Bickford Artistic Director Eric Hafen. “It’s only natural that by expanding its Brightest Star program, we begin to educate the future theatre artists.”

The School of Performing Arts will offer a variety of courses for people of all ages, including private piano or voice lessons, acting lessons, public speaking for professionals, audition preparation and even a classical music listening club. Of particular note is the unique course Performing Arts for Home-Schoolers. Home-schooled students will acquire skills in singing, instrument playing, acting and public speaking with the opportunity to work with other children on skits, songs and presentations.

“At Brightest Star, we believe that the performing arts provide opportunities for learning about all aspect’s of one’s world, enhancing academic learning capacity, increasing self-esteem and building strong communication and interpersonal skills,” said Pamela Meys Kane, Brightest Star co-director. “Each course is structured to empower students with a strong sense of individual accomplishment and achievement.”

Most courses will run for three 11-week sessions. The Fall session runs September 11 through December 2, 2006. The Winter session runs from December 11, 2006 through March 3, 2007 and the Spring session will run from March 12 through June 1, 2007.

The school’s flagship program, Musical Theatre Workshop is modeled after the popular Summer Musical Theatre Program and will now be available during the three sessions throughout the year. The summer program will continue its usual summer schedule, running from June through August in either one or three week increments.

Others programs include two choral courses that run from September through June. The A Cappella Chorus is available for participants in high school or older, and the Treble Chorus is available to children in grades three through eight. Both choruses are by audition only and include public performances for the community.

“There’s something for everyone, every interest and every schedule,” said Beth Vecchio, Brightest Star co-director. “The School of Performing Arts offers a wonderful variety of courses to the community right in its own backyard.”

Vecchio and Kane will bring their expertise and extensive experience with the performing arts to the Brightest Star School of Performing Arts staff, along with Ruthann Lanni, dance teacher and choreographer.

All courses will take place at the Bickford Theatre and Morris Museum. Registration for courses is ongoing. For more information or to request a brochure, please call 973.971.DRAMA (3726).

Courses Offered:

Eleven - Week Courses

• Musical Theatre Dance (Ages 4 & up)
• Performing Arts for Home-Schoolers (Ages 6 –18)
• Moms & Tots Music (Ages 1 – 5 with an adult)
• Creative Drama & Song (Grades K-2)
• Musical Theatre Workshops (Grades 3 – adult)
• Acting! (All ages)
• Speaking for the Professional (Adults)
• Audition Preparation (High school – Adults)
• Classical Music Listening Club (Adults)

Choral Courses: September - June

• Brightest Star A Cappella Chorus (High School - Adults)
• Brightest Star Treble Chorus (Grades 3 - 8)

Summer Musical Theatre Programs

• Early Summer Intensive Musical Theatre (Entering grades 6 - 12)
• Summer Musical Theatre (Entering grades 6 – 12)

The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum. Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum explores and celebrates the arts, sciences, history and humanities through exhibitions, educational programs, performing arts and special events. The museum serves over 200,000 adults and children each year.

The Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for museum members and is free to the public every Thursday between 1 and 8 p.m. For more information, call 973-971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org.

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Photos available upon request.