~Zeiders American Dream Theater’s Heart of Art Program~

Zeiders American Dream Theater, a.k.a The Z is dedicated to building, strengthening and healing our community through the arts. 

This dedication is the driving force behind The Z’s Heart of Art Program 

How it works:

The Heart of Art program pairs artists with clients of social service partners introducing them to creative tools to deal with adversity and to channel self-expression. Our artists learn how to teach their craft at a level accessible to all ages and our participants learn to use creative expression to share their stories. Social service partners past & present include Connect with a Wish, serving teens in the foster care system, YellowHab and Seatack Elementary programs for underserved youth, and Tidewater Arts Outreach, serving seniors. 

Last year’s pilot program with Connect with a Wish produced 4 new songs, created through 3 workshops, with 15 teen participants led by 4 singer/songwriters. The songs were shared in a June 2022 showcase at The Z with an invited audience and received outstanding feedback. 

This year’s Showcase will feature five Seatack Elementary School students singing their own songs, a film of Yellowhab students and their work with Plan B comedy, and fashion and visual art inspired by those served by Tidewater Arts Outreach.  

Zeiders American Dream Theater, 4509 Commerce Street, VB, VA 23462

Saturday, June 3rd at 4pm

Harnessing the power of art to heal and promote well-being is paramount to a thriving community. When we take care of the most vulnerable among us, we strengthen our whole community. 

 

Art that pushes the envelope is taking over The Z this April. The Z, Zeiders American Dream Theater, located in Virginia Beach Town Center, has selected more than 30 new pieces of theater, dance, and performance art to create a weekend of adventurous works on stage.

“Monologues and new plays are just the tip of the iceberg,” said The Z’s Marketing Director, Jessi DiPette. “We are really looking forward to seeing new pieces of dance, magic, improv and a range of theatrical works.”

Productions range from 15-90 minutes, and the festival will truly be taking over The Z’s building.

“While a new horror play is performing on the studio stage, we will have a dance performance on the mainstage, and a musician playing on our terrace!” said DiPette.

“It’s really an immersive arts experience that caters to a wide range of interests.” Selected works range from “Black Girl Magic”, a popular cabaret directed by Sharon Cook of Hurrah Players, to “Traumedy”, a poetry and comedy piece by Roscoe Burnems.

In addition to debuting their new works in The Z’s state-of-the-art facilities with full tech support, performers will receive a share of the ticket sales.

“Our mission at The Z is really to support and uplift emerging artists in the area, and the Fringe Festival really gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on the new, edgy pieces that might not be given a chance at your average theater,” said DiPette.

Want to go? The Z Fringe Festival debut at The Zeiders American Dream Theater April 7-8, 2023. 1 and 2-day all-access passes, and one-show tickets are available now online at thez.org/zfringe, or by calling the box office at 757-499-0317. Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Zeiders American Dream Theater is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

LICENSE & REGISTRATION Written by Kanya Edmonds and Niylah Mascall
Produced and Directed by Kanya Edmonds
*This casting call is for a one-act performance on Friday, April 7th*

Plot summary:
Two teenage friends, heading home one evening, must face the realities of society and their personal differences for the very first time when they are being stopped by the police.

Characters:
Nia: 17, female, African American. Reserved but passionate- likes to have fun. She is responsible and never gets in trouble. Cecilia compliments her personality well.

Cecilia: 17, female, Caucasian or non-black. Energetic and carefree. She and Nia have been best friends since freshman year. Not the best student academic-wise, but intelligent in her own way.

If interested, please fill out the form below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIv4QQB7jbCyj0hVKLiYYvdxoiw9wDr38Gl9aQJ63q8gnClA/viewform?usp=sharing

And Email 1-minute monologue of your choosing to: [email protected]

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PRIMING THE PUMP By Jean Klein

Looking for actors (2) M or F, age range variable – approximately 25 – 50,  for a 20-minute play, Priming the Pump. 

Fight for Life is a seedy “talk show’ which relies on the “Rage Room” school of therapy. As audiences have demand bigger and better arenas for, their ratings have begun to fall. The host, Burt Solomon, is looking at what may be his last hosting job. He has to keep the anger going. Two bodyguards chant periodically to rouse the audience’s rage.

When he hears from Grace Truman, a retiring, emotionally abused wife, he thinks he has found the perfect vehicle for the audience to identify with. And he plans a special twist for this guest, who seems compliant beyond belief. Will Burt’s strategy work or will Grace find another solution only she could have thought of.

Roles are Bodyguards in a Jerry-Springer-like talk show. Few lines, and lots of interaction with the audience. Performance on April 8, 7:20 PM at Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z)  in Virginia Beach.

If interested, contact Jean at [email protected] with a headshot and brief bio.

Part-Time Position Announcement
Program Assistant

The focus of the Program Assistant is to support Arts for Learning’s Education and Program Team (EPT) in the implementation of In-School and Out-of-School Time (OST) projects and professional development for educators and parents. The position reports to the Chief Operations Officer, with day-to-day direction provided by the Artist and Programming Manager.

Responsibilities include:

Education, Programming, and Special Initiatives

• Participates cooperatively with the A4L Education and Program Team and other staff members to provide artist support services, Out-of-School-Time program support and oversight, and regular communication with schools/non-school community partners, teachers, and teaching artists.
• Facilitates Out-of-School-Time programs by sharing student progress, providing feedback, budget tracking, order and delivery of program materials, program assessment and evaluation collection, in-person site visits, program troubleshooting and documentation, and coordination of student recognition and culminating events for family and friends.

General
• Advances the organization’s commitment to the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).
• Completes assignments timely, effectively, and accurately.
• Collaborates on and contributes to program-related marketing / public relations efforts.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality.
• Supports and advocates for the organizational mission.
• Represents Arts for Learning at events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands
The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Work involves sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and bending intermittently throughout the day. Occasionally carries objects up to 50 pounds. Constant use of computer keyboard and monitor, and need for reaching with the hands or arms, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel. Constant use of the spoken word and hearing ability.

Travel
The majority of Arts for Learning’s programming takes place within a service area that includes both the Southside and Peninsula areas of Hampton Roads. This position requires frequent travel throughout the identified service area. Travel compensation provided.

Work Hours
The Program Assistant will generally work in the office or remotely between the office hours of 1:30pm-6:30pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional later or weekend hours.

Qualifications
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent, with associate’s degree preferred.
• At least one year of experience working with school-aged children.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communications skills including with diverse stakeholders.
• Passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm for educational potential of arts-based programming.
•Willingness to have fun and be engaging during hands-on work with youth.
• Minimum of mid-level of competency with office technology (MS Office, Google applications, Adobe, etc.)
• Group leadership skills, including an understanding of group dynamics.
• Reliable transportation.

Compensation Hourly rate range of $15-17/hour
Employment Type Part-Time, Non-Exempt

How to Apply
Please submit your application to us by email (info[at]arts4learningVA.org) including a cover letter, resume, and list of three references. Subject line should include “Application – Program Assistant.” Resume reviews will begin immediately. Successful background check will be required prior to start date.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, socioeconomic status, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, culture, religious beliefs, ethnicity, and (dis)ability status.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Airs: April 14, 2020 at 4PM

Teens, The Z is here for you! Join our Community Liaison on ZOOM. Now is the time to work on that monologue, to write that poem, to actualize a creative dream you have had in the back of your mind for months! Bring your creative ideas & career questions. Sibel will listen and provide feedback so you can make strides in your creative journey.

Don’t leave your creativity and artistry to chance! Make time for your dreams, make a plan, and before you know it–those dreams are a reality!

RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

A bit about our Community Liaison: Sibel lived and worked in Los Angeles as a professional actress & singer for 10 years, sharing the stage & screen with the likes of Doris Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, and Tony Shaloub, and developing her own cabaret. Her most notable role, Skates, a recurring character on the CBS TV drama JAG, led her to meet & marry a real life Navy JAG, who through his naval career brought her to Virginia Beach where she happily found The Z, her new creative home.

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