Traveling Players Ensemble Moves Into Permanent Home In Tysons

TYSONS, VA — Traveling Players Ensemble, a theater group for children and teens, has moved into a permanent home at Tysons Corner Center. The 4,200-square-foot studio gives performers a "home base" for the first time and is located on the lower level of the mall near the now-closed Lord & Taylor.

The group has already begun using the space to rehearse and perform winter shows. Rehearsals began on Jan. 11 for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Midsummer Night’s Dream" and will be performed on March 14, 15, 21, and 22 in Tysons Corner Center.

The studio will also allow Traveling Players expand its reach to more students year-round and host acting classes, auditioning, rehearsing and performing in the mall and on the plaza. Students have performed at Tysons Corner Center's plaza before.

More programs are expected to come in the spring and summer. In April, Traveling Players will launch its Spring Break Acting Intensive Camp for students in grades six through eight. This spring break camp will feature scene study workshops with rehearsals and improvisational games to develop foundational acting skills.

In the summer, Traveling Players will expand auditioned programs, allowing students in grades four through eight to choose from regular camp or a faster-paced training. Students in grades eight to 12 can audition for their choice of elite pre-college programs: a four-week Shakespeare Ensemble or a seven-week Shakespeare Troupe. The next auditions are planned for Feb. 15-17 in the Traveling Players studio. An early bird discount is available for camp and audition registration before Feb. 11.

Traveling Players has trained students in performing arts with a focus on the outdoors for 18 years and expanded in 2007 to winter performances and year-round classes. Summer programs have recently been held in residence at McLean's Madeira School.

The public is invited to the Traveling Players studio ribbon cutting on Feb. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information on Traveling Players programs and upcoming performances, visit travelingplayers.org.