ETC Summer Youth Presents To BEE or Not To BEE & Other Bug Tales

For Immediate Release

Contact: Lisa Giordano
Phone: (860) 861-3743
Email: ldgldg7@gmail.com

Emerson Theater Collaborative Announces
Youth Summer Theater Production of To Bee or Not To Bee and Other Bug Tales

Mystic, CT: Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC) celebrates its 11th season this year and announces their Summer Youth Theater Program production of To Bee or Not To Bee and Other Bug Tales written by Lisa Giordano with original songs composed by Lisa Giordano, and with additional music by Music Director, Kala Farnham.

The production will be performed at First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow Street, Mystic, CT on July 26 & 27 at 7:00 p.m. and July 28 at 3:00 p.m.

The play is directed by Stephanie Donnelly, produced by Lisa Giordano and sponsored by The Community Foundation of Eastern CT. Tickets can be purchased in advance at bit.ly/MysticSummerYouth2019 or by calling (860) 705-9711.

From metamorphosis to pollination, bioluminescence to migration, To Bee or Not To Bee and Other Bug Tales takes the audience on a musical and theatrical journey through the lives of the insects that live around us. (Running time: 60 min).

Stephanie Donnelly (Director) is a graduate of Emerson College with a MA in Theater Education. She is currently working as a middle school theater teacher in Springfield, MA. She has also taught theater at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts and spent 3-years as the artistic and technical director at Saint Bernard School and one year as Summer Theater teacher and director at the Chestnut Hill School near Boston, MA. At Emerson Theater Collaborative she is a member of the board and has worn many hats including producing intern for Aesop's Fables, Director of Fight Night, Stage Manager for Pharaoh's Daughter and Hour Farther, and Director for the Summer Youth Theater Camp for Skokie Detective Charter School, Barrio Grrrl!, and Stolen Fire. She is very excited to be back with ETC's Summer camp this year for To Bee or Not To Bee and Other Bug Tales!

Lisa Giordano (Playwright, Producer, Writing & Art Instructor) is a playwright, director, an artist, and former scientist. She is a co-founder, co-Vice President, the resident playwright and publicity director of the Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC). Also, she is the founder and organizer of the Annual Zora Neale Hurston Celebration produced by ETC. Ms. Giordano is a current member of the Dramatist Guild, and her plays have been performed regionally and honored nationally. Ms. Giordano is a board member of the Writer’s Block, Ink, and a founding coordinator of the Annual New London Youth Talent Show. She is the founder of the Women’s Leadership Forum of Southeastern CT, and serves on the board of The Auxiliary of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network. As a visual artist, Ms. Giordano has focused on American Impressionism, and her works have been exhibited in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Kala Farnham (Music Director & Composer) is a classically trained pianist and vocalist from the Quiet Corner of CT. She received an education in music performance at Furman University in Greenville SC, and music creation at Hampshire College in Amherst MA. Since then, she has gone on to work full time as a performing songwriter, music instructor, and musical theater director. She is currently choir and music director at The Unitarian Universalist church of Westborough MA, as well as a recent alumnus of The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, where she received the opportunity to work under the guidance of Broadway and Billboard Top 40 songwriters. She is grateful for the opportunity to return for another year of composing and directing with Emerson
Theater Collaborative's summer theater program!

The Emerson Theater Collaborative’s (ETC’s) mission is to serve youth, underrepresented
communities and artists with an emphasis on diversity, by producing innovative and thought-provoking theater in Southeastern Connecticut. ETC explores timely themes and issues through new, original works and modern theatrical classics.

We develop and nurture both emerging and professional artists, and collaborate with the Emerson College network of alumni and students. ETC’s goals include reaching inner city youth through educational theatrical programming, to support local communities by providing free admission to low-income families, and donating profits to humanitarian causes. For more information, go to emersontheatercollaborative.org.

KEY DATES AND INFORMATION
WHAT: Emerson Theater Collaborative’s Summer Youth Production of To Bee or Not To Bee and Other Bug Tales by Lisa Giordano with original songs by Lisa Giordano and additional music by Kala Farnham.

WHEN: On Friday and Saturday, July 26 and July 27 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 28 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow Street, Mystic, CT 06355

TICKETS: General Admission for $15. For more information go to bit.ly/MysticSummerYouth2019 or call (860) 705-9711.
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Photos and interviews with the creative team are available upon request.
Contact: Lisa Giordano, ldgldg7@gmail.com, (860) 861-3743