Prescott Park Arts Festival announces the new summer Theatre Academy Director

April 17, 2008

(Portsmouth, NH) Prescott Park Arts Festival announces the new summer Theatre Academy Director, Sarah Shanahan of Portsmouth, for the upcoming 2008 season.

Sarah Shanahan has a BFA in Theatre from Emerson College in Boston and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Speech and Drama from UNH. She is a local performer and winner of the 2003 Spotlight Award for Best Actress in a Musical. This will be Sarah's third summer working with PPAF's Theatre Academy.

"I am very excited to be taking on the Director's role after working as choreographer and theatre instructor" states Sarah.

In addition to her experience with the PPAF Theatre Academy, she has directed children's theatre programs for Hackmatack Playhouse, Arts Rochester and UNH. Sarah has also instructed children in the art of theatre in both public and private schools as well as numerous summer programs.

Prescott Park Arts Festival believes that every child has an innate sense of creativity and imagination. Our Summer Theatre Academy is geared toward developing confidence and advancing performance skills so that every child can be a star. Youth ages 8-12 will not only learn theatrical skills as they participate in the rehearsal process, but also enjoy the excitement of performing on stage in front of a live audience.

Session I runs from July 7 to July 25 with classes Monday through Friday from 9am to noon. The final performance for the students takes place on Friday, July 25 at 5pm.

Session II runs from July 28 to August 15 with classes Monday through Friday from 9am to noon. The final performance for the students takes place on Friday, August 15 at 5pm.

Tuition for the 2008 Theatre Academy is $315 per child per three week session with a non-refundable registration fee of $30. No prior performing experience required. There is a 20 student limit per session; which fills up quickly!

Register online today at www.prescottpark.org and reserve an opportunity for your child's imagination and creativity to grow and flourish this summer!


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About Prescott Park Arts Festival
Established in 1974, the Prescott Park Arts Festival is entering its thirty-forth year of serving the seacoast area and its visitors with inspiring theatre, music, dance, food festivals, and art on 3.5 waterfront acres in vibrant downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Festival has always sought to provide quality family entertainment, promote artistic excellence in the community and consistently present quality presentations of both entertainment and educational events. The Arts Festival has a rich history of successfully presenting a range of arts and cultural events --over 9,000 events to date -- with no fixed admission. For more information, visit www.prescottpark.org or call (603) 436-2848.