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When Rachel Spivey was applying to colleges her resume readimpressively for a perspective arts and sciences major. She already directed her first play by age 18 and had plenty ofexperience in performing, costume design and behind the sceneswork. Spivey ended up being accepted to the College of Charleston onscholarship where she is majoring in theater and hopes to work incostume design. But she credits her experience, which surpassesmost other students, to her time in high school working with theUnion Street Theatre. "It showed how involved I was in things," said Spivey."And that I took on responsibility of my own." The theater"s home on Union Street is about to celebrate itsone year university. But theater director Melissa Charles hasworked the theater program for several years. In one of theirlargest financial campaigns as of yet, Charles is trying to raise$8,000 by May 20 through Kickstarter — an online fundraisingplatform. People can visit kickstarter.com to make a donation that will go toproductions for the main stage. As of Tuesday, a little more than$1,000 was raised. The Union Street Theatre must raise at least$8,000 to be able to get the profits. Charles said she was inspired to used Kickstarter by The Prizery innearby South Boston, which used the platform to raise more than$25,000. The first main stage show of the summer is expected to be theBroadway hit "Grease." But the rights and fees requiredin order to perform these shows can be costly — many are morethan $1,000. But casting for the summer show is already under way. Other shows for the summer will be the musical "Once On ThisIsland" and a contemporary musical review "Songs for aNew World" — a modern follow up to the Union StreetTheatre"s popular production of "Smokey Joe"sCafé" which was sold out every night of its run lastyear. Most of these shows will feature young actors, as well as someprofessional ones. A major focus of Danville"s only black boxtheater is providing a catalyst for creativity — especiallyin young people. The Union Street Theatre is probably best known for some of itssummer camps. The summer programs like Union Street TheatreClubhouse and Rock Around the Clock help teach children andteenagers how to act, sing and perform on stage — and thereare public performances to wrap up almost all of them. Many of the students who get involved in the summer programs segueinto the Youth Leadership Program which teaches students about thetechnical aspects of a production and puts them inbehind-the-scenes leadership roles. George Washington High School junior Ryne Gammon — a studentco-founder of the theater — has been involved since 2009 withevery production, but the audience probably won"t see him. Heworks on the technical parts of the productions, and he prefers itthat way. "It"s a lot more fun to see what goes on," saidGammon. "You get to see people"s reactions when youwatch the show." For Gammon, being a part of the Union Street Theatre is not justabout performing on stage, although he tried it out. "It"s helped me learn how to be more responsible and beabout to go talk to people," said Gammon. "Like inschool, I"m on yearbook staff, and I have to go out and talkto advertisers and it helps me to communicate better." Some of the students taking part in the shows at the theater havegone on to college theater, started their own glee clubs and wonscholarships for some of their creative efforts. Spivey said that something like this is a rare outlet for youngpeople to have in a place the size of Danville, but it"sbeneficial. "Especially for boys," said Spivey. "There justisn"t a lot of activities outside of sports for boys."She said it was nice too see it allow everyone to expressthemselves and be creative. One former Dan River Region resident, Brad Bass, will be having aworkshop next week at the Union Street Theatre for children as wellas adults. Bass is a former Dan River High School graduate and hasperformed on Broadway in hits like "Wicked" and"Memphis." Bass is going to have a class from 6 to 8 p.m. May 17 for childrenand one for adults from 6 to 9 p.m. May 18. The cost is $20 and $25respectively. But it will be a chance for interested parties tolearn more about live musical performances. With all the events going on at the Union Street Theatre, Charlesis kept on her feet. But to her, it is a passion that is every bitworth it as long as people are learning and creating to enrichthemselves. But the next step is raising the money. I am an expert from custompaperbagprinting.com, while we provides the quality product, such as China Paper Carrier Bags Printed , Personalised Photo Album Manufacturer, Spiral Bound Book Printing,and more.
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