TheatreWorld Announces Joint Custom Backdrop Creation Project With Stages Productions
Stages Productions Family Theatre and TheatreWorld Backdrops, LLC have announced a new, collaborative project. Both groups will work together to develop custom-designed, scenic backdrops to support Stages Productions’ summer theatre camps.
Stages Productions, located in the Tampa Bay Area is currently celebrating its 25th season. Their professional touring company produces first-class musicals for families throughout Florida. Additionally, they offer high-quality theatre camps during the summer. Stages’ camps give children the opportunity to work directly with professional actors, directors, and choreographers.
Summer Camp at Stages
This summer, Stages will be offering camps at two different locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Two of these camps are in conjunction with Largo Cultural Center and one is in conjunction with First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. Furthermore, all three sessions are open to the public. Stages invites parents to enroll children who have an interest in musical theatre, acting, and dance. Each multiple-week session will conclude with several performances of one of Music Theatre International’s popular junior musicals. This year’s shows will be SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL, THE MUSIC MAN and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.
Additionally, TheatreWorld is designing and producing four highly custom backdrops to support the Stages Productions’ camp shows. These new custom designs include the stunning Truffala Tree Forest and Whoville backdrops. For these drops, we drew inspiration directly from the new CG-animated movie version of Dr. Seuss’ THE LORAX and, additionally, the recent movie HORTON HEARS A WHO.
The other two new drops are also spectacular. One will feature a re-imagining of River City’s town square for THE MUSIC MAN. The second depicts a town silhouetted against an immaculate midnight blue sky. (For the ever-popular FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.)
Coming this Winter – Holiday Whoville Backdrop
Additionally, TheatreWorld is creating a new, custom-designed winter holiday version of Whoville. This drop will join our holiday themed offerings. (Which will also be made available with TheatreWorld’s current holiday backdrop promotion.) The holiday version of Whoville also draws inspiration from the Ron Howard/Jim Carrey version of THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS.
Rick D’Onofrio, Artistic Director of Stages Productions, said he is “delighted” that TheatreWorld is making Broadway quality backdrops available for their productions. He added he was “shocked that you offered and agreed to design and produce custom backdrops to support these local performances”.
As for TheatreWorld, Creative Director Mike Mathews said: “With TheatreWorld being a local company, we love to encourage young people to participate in the theatre and to do our best to ensure the kids have great backdrops to improve their productions.”
In addition to his TheatreWorld duties, Mike is part of Stages touring ensemble during the year. Thus, the connection, for him, was logical.
Mathews only regret is that he won’t get to see the kids perform or these sensational new backdrops in use. He will be directing five shows himself this summer at the prestigious Long Lake Camp For The Arts in Long Lake, New York. However, he trusts the TheatreWorld team to handle the logistics and D’Onofrio to take lots of great pictures and video while he has fun in New York!
For more information on Stages Productions Summer Camps or their show schedules, visit the Stages Productions web site.
