CROSSVILLE —
Musical Theater and dance join hands again this year at Cumberland County Playhouse (CCP) as Playhouse dancer/performers and education alumnae Leila Nelson and Aven Chadwell lead the CCP’S Performance Education Program to new heights. Nelson joined returning Education Director Weslie Webster, and professional actor/teacher Greg Pendzick as lead teachers in the Triple Threat Summer Camp. Chadwell returns from her American Dance Festival, Belmont University and Nashville Ballet advanced training to help launch and lead CCP’s Fall Dance and Theater Education term in mid-September.
Nelson and Chadwell both “grew up on the Playhouse stage,” trained in dance and theater by Eldar and Lilia Valiev, Jim Crabtree, Kiersten Mays, Broadway veteran Jeremy Benton, Weslie Webster, Nicole Begue and Jennifer Austin. Tap, jazz and musical theater dance specialist Nelson is resident choreographer for the year-round professional theater, and director of The Music Man, just opened for an all-summer run as the theater’s flagship show. Chadwell, who starred as Princess Clara in CCP’s Nutcracker opposite Russian soloist Evgueny Tourdiev, brings to the stage and studio exceptional ballet and modern strength, plus cross training and teaching in multiple styles. She continues training with Nashville Ballet and Belmont University.
Nelson joins CCP company members Weslie Webster, Greg Pendzick, Donald Frison, Chaz Sanders and Jensen Crain as instructors for CCP's Triple Threat Summer Camp. For four decades, CCP has trained young performers to appear alongside seasoned professionals — and for some to go on to their own "triple threat" careers, including 2012 guest director and Broadway veteran Jeremy Benton, now in rehearsal (assisted by Nelson and national tour veteran Britt Hancock) for the Ginger Rogers musical, Backwards in High Heels, opening July 27.
The 2012-'13 Playhouse Performance Education year will begin in mid-September and continue through late April or Early May. Finalized schedules will be published later this month, and it is expected that fees and payment policies and performance opportunities will be comparable to the 2011-'12 season.
To receive more information, or sign up for the 2012-13 training programs, please call Meka Doxtator Barrier at 931.484.4324, or email mdoxtator@ccplayhouse.com.
Currently at the Playhouse: Leila Nelson’s production of The Music Man (rated G sponsored by Crossville, Inc.) opens June 22; See Rock City (rated G) through August 17; Smoke On The Mountain (rated G, sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old country Store) through August 10; and the uproarious musical vaudeville/medicine show Cowboys (rated G, sponsored by The Beef & Barrel, The Blind Zebra and Red’s Ale House) plays through mid July.
Things To Do
Related Photos
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Playhouse Teacher;/performers Aven Chadwell, Leila Nelson and Greg Pendzick in productions of The Nutcracker, All Shook Up and Brigadoon at CCP, Tennessee’s largest and busiest professional theater.
Homegrown artists lead Playhouse classes
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Stone concert features new music videos May 29
Singer/songwriter/musician Mike Stone brings his unique blend of pop, soft rock and folk music to the Cumberland County Playhouse Mainstage May 29 in a concert featuring his new music videos.
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'Georgia Songbird' coming to Palace June 7 for First Friday performance
EG Kight, “the Georgia Songbird,” is bringing her Country-Flavored Southern-Fried Blues back to Crossville’s Palace Theatre. Kight’s 2011 First Fridays performance garnered rave reviews from all in attendance with many of those audience members requesting an encore performance. PAART is very happy to grant their wish by presenting EG Kight at the Palace Theatre on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. central time.
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Review: '9-5' a delightful addition to CCP season
Are you ready to have a good laugh? Get your tickets to “9-5: The Musical” at the Cumberland County Playhouse. Energy pours from the stage with the rise of the curtain.
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Laugh along with Landry, Venable, Claborn, and Rose
The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade proudly presents a two-hour laugh fest, the “Talk is Cheap Tour” at Stone Memorial High School Auditorium on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. The “Talk is Cheap Tour” partners four storytelling friends who enjoy working together: Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jimmy Claborn, and Elizabeth Rose.
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GRITS coming to Palace May 31
Highly acclaimed band GRITS From Dumplin Valley will perform at Historic Palace Theatre on May 31 beginning at 7 p.m. Chris Marion, longtime keyboardist for world famous Little River Band, will join GRITS. Chris sometimes performs with GRITS when not on the road with LRB. A rising young talent from Nashville, Shelby Terrell, will start things off with a solo show.
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Concert to help bring brighter days full of hope to House of Hope
D2 is honored to come back a second year for the House of Hope benefit. If you missed last year’s sold-out show at the Palace Theatre, here’s your chance to see outstanding entertainment for a great cause.
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‘Talk is Cheap’ Tour promises a laugh-fest
The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade proudly presents a two-hour laugh fest, the “Talk is Cheap Tour” at Stone Memorial High School Auditorium on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. The “Talk is Cheap Tour” partners four storytelling friends who enjoy working together: Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jimmy Claborn and Elizabeth Rose.
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The Miracle Worker is not to be missed at CCP
Violent emotional outbursts expressed in astounding physicality mark the production of The Miracle Worker now running in the Adventure Theater of the Cumberland County Playhouse.
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Dunn to appear on 'Tough Grit' TV show
Do you have a curious dog that likes to roam? Ever thought of installing an electric fence or pet door? Look no further than your local Tractor Supply store manager for seasoned pet advice.
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Enjoy a Night at the P'opera May 3
PAART (Performing Arts Alliance of Rural Tennessee) is bringing “A Night at the P’opera” to the Palace Theatre for their First Friday event on May 3. International recording artists Armand & Angelina will entertain you with a rewarding evening of music, laughter and joy. This talented duo brings with them a unique blend of popular and classical music which they call “P’opera.”
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