Arts Spotlight: August 2020

Clear Space Theatre Company
2020 Musical Theatre Summer Intensives
Rehoboth Beach
GOS

Adapted from Clear Space Theatre Company’s long-running Summer Intensive program, each Summer Camp Intensive is designed to give students a taste of life in a professional theatre. Mimicking the rehearsal and production process of Clear Space’s own summer repertory season, students will create and perform music and dances from a popular Broadway musical in one week. In this performance-based experience, its faculty of industry professionals guide students through instruction in acting, dance and vocal technique, as well as group rehearsals. This experience full of challenging but attainable performing arts activities culminates in two free performances on the final day at 11 a.m. and noon. There are four Intensives designed for different grade levels to choose from! The Intensives include:

• High-Quality, Professional Instruction by professional actors and educators from the Arts Institute faculty
• Tailored vocal arrangements and age-appropriate curriculum
• Camp T-shirt & Materials

Lewes Public Library
Virtual Programs for Adults
Lewes
PS

After the Lewes Public Library closed in March due to the pandemic, the staff made the decision to move many of the programs for adults that had been scheduled to take place in the library to an online platform.

The library also added new programs including twice-weekly lunchtime short story readings for adults, featuring professionals actors from across the country. Browseabout Books also approached the library about partnering to move all of their scheduled in-person author events online.

The Lewes Public Library is a founding partner in the History Book Festival and is now serving as its virtual venue for 2020. As a result of these two partnerships, the library is holding one to three author chats each week, in addition to offering other on-going programs such as discussion groups, foreign language conversation groups, an English Conversation Group, lectures on a variety of topics, and financial literacy class (a partnership with The Money School). The majority of these programs are geared for and attended by adults, including seniors. The programs have drawn attendees not only from Delaware, but from across the United States and around the world.

Cancer Support Community
Poetry of Wellness
Online
PS

Typically offered in-person at its Wilmington location, Cancer Support Community was able to transition its Poetry of Wellness program to Zoom so that participants across the state could participate in these 1.5 hour meetings. In class, participants read and discuss poetry shared by the instructor, take time for a themed free-write (and share what they’ve written), and share any writing done outside of class. Participants use the time in class to discuss struggles, triumphs and anxieties through their writings, and in their conversation with each other. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or caring for a loved one with cancer, is welcome to join the group as they meet weekly. Cancer Support Community Delaware is able to provide this, and all its programming, at no cost to all participants.

Delaware Shakespeare
Sonnet Project
Online
GOS

Since March, Delaware Shakespeare has posted a reading of a Shakespearean sonnet every weekday via Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Performed by actors and community members, performers also share a reflection on the themes of the poem and its relevance to our modern world.

Now over halfway through Shakespeare’s 154 Sonnets, the recordings have received over 35,000 views across all three platforms and Delaware Shakespeare has paid over 40 different artists for their time and talent. Audience members have enjoyed watching familiar faces from previous productions perform these poems, and actors have relished the opportunity to perform during the hiatus from live theatre.

Delaware Contemporary
August Art Openings
Wilmington
GOS

Our August Art Opening event is in lieu of first Friday Art Loop to celebrate our summer exhibitions that were displaced our COVID-19 closure. This event features multiple opening receptions, live music by University of Delaware professor, Tom Palmer, GAllery shop end-of season sale and flea market, and the food truck Whole Lotta Gelata.

This event is aligned with Art Loop Wilmington’s mission to provide free access and community engagement with Wilmington’s art scene. The University of Delaware’s MFA exhibition along with the Lynn Herrick Sharp Award exhibition will be on display celebrating the hard work of the 2020 Master of Fine Arts candidates.