From Silver Screen to Stage
This June, Central Florida Community Arts will be hosting one of their largest shows – Hooray for Hollywood – at the Dr. Phillips Center’s grand theater: Steinmetz Hall. Much like Central Florida Community Arts, the Dr. Phillips Center has been a Central Florida arts staple and cultural hub for a variety of communities. Their history is rich and continues to build day by day.
The architectural artistry that is Steinmetz Hall had been a beauty in the works for the past decade. Though it opened fairly recently in January 2022, the Dr. Phillips Center team shared that the journey stareted back in 2003. Dr. Phillips Center President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger shared on a Central Florida Public Media podcast, “When we started, one of our goals was to build something that the region and the state and country would be proud of, and our goal was to build one of the best concert halls and theaters in the world. With Steinmetz Hall, we had the chance to do that.”
The theater’s overall purpose wasn’t only to increase the acoustics to achieve an N1 sound rating, which is said to be the lowest level of sound detection a human can hear, but also to create a modern concert hall meant to mimic earlier and notable thrust stages from the 1500s, surrounded by beautiful balconies to capture sound.
The Architectural Digest, a renowned expert source, claimed Steinmetz is “one of the world’s most acoustically advanced theaters.” It combines flexibility of performance with and intimacy audiences.
The Dr. Phillips Center, home to the beautiful Steinmetz Hall, is proud to state that the venue “let’s guests enjoy a range of performances—with or without amplification—by local, national and international artists. The one-of-a-kind multiform theater transforms in shape, seating and sound to accommodate a variety of art forms and events, making it a destination of choice for the world’s most revered and relevant artists.”
Its multipurpose capabilities and grand atmosphere allows many genres and stories to be shared at their best. Much like film, live theater spaces capture art in motion. Much like canvas, they are a place for art to grow. And much like a masterpiece, Steinmetz Hall captivates the senses and brings crowds together.
With tickets starting at $20, Hooray for Hollywood is one of the most affordable ways to experience incredible art in the one-of-a-kind Steinmetz Hall.
About the Show
Enjoy the entrancing performance of Hollywood classics with the nation’s largest community choir: CFCArts’ Community Choir in their silver screen showcase Hooray for Hollywood. A performance that provides a rousing review of hits from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows, and more! Featuring nearly 300 voices, a 50-piece orchestra, soloists, actors, and dancers.
This spectacular concert will feature selections such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Additionally, moments from fan-favorite movie musicals will include “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” and “Mamma Mia.” Put on your red carpet best and join us for a dazzling journey to the Hollywood Hills and beyond!
June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
June 16 at 3 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillip Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Learn More
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]]>Night at a Museum
Join UpBeat! as a group of students get to spend the night at their favorite museum, only to realize that some of the exhibits come to life after the museum closes! Not only that but there seems to be something fishy going on…and the students are determined to solve the mystery!
Journey through different museums and meet characters like The Mona Lisa, Barbie, Alexander Hamilton, Princess Leia, Paul McCartney, and even a pterodactyl in this fusion of original choreography, unique monologues, and mixed mediatheatre!
CFCArts’ UpBeat! Theatre Troupe is a performance group for youth and adult exceptional learners.
UpBeat! produces multiple performances each year, including both plays and musicals, and the program is open to actors with autism, Down syndrome, and other exceptionalities.
Join UpBeat! as they showcase their talents through performing live music, dancing, and more! Don’t miss out on this chance to support our members while enjoying great, heart-warming theatre!
Come join us for an original production with exceptional performers at Night at a Museum! We hope to see you there!
June 22 and 23
CFCArts Black Box Theater
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]]>From Silver Screen to Stage
This June, Central Florida Community Arts is presenting a show of a lifetime with Hooray for Hollywood from the program that started it all: Community Choir. And if 300 members singing movie hits together isn’t enough, they’re joined by 50 members of the Symphony Orchestra. As they look forward to reliving some of cinema’s favorite musical moments and soundtracks in the grand Steinmetz Hall, we want to look back on their story from origin to now.
With Community Choir being Central Florida Community Arts first-ever program, there’s a rich amount of history that comes from it. Its foundations and growth come from a powerful source of inspiration – individuals with a passion for the arts who wanted to create something unique. The nearly 13-year-old program has become a gem of community and a light for many of its members.
For some members, the community aspect of the choir wasn’t something they originally set out looking for, but they formed bonds once they joined. Katrina Johnson, a choir member ambassador explained what the program has come to mean to her.
“I joined CFCArts in 2016 for A Night on the Red Carpet,” Katrina said. “I enjoy being a part of an organization that feels like one big family and is working toward making the arts accessible to everyone.”
Her sentiment isn’t the only one to strike that chord. Dr. Aleta Ashford, another member ambassador shared, “Since joining two years ago, I have formed new friendships, and going out into the community to perform has truly made me feel like I’m a part of something.”
At the root of the Community Choir (and the entire organization) is a goal to build community, and that means allowing each member to find their voice and be themselves and allowing the program to be a reflection of our vibrant Central Florida community. Each person who chooses to be a part of CFCArts is completely unique but works to create art that is bigger than any one person.
This has been Aleta’s experience, as she shared, “What I love most about being an ambassador is representing an organization that promotes diversity and inclusion. As an African American, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first signed on as a member of CFCArts. What I found was acceptance and a place where I could truly be myself. CFCArts literally has a place for everyone, and I am so proud of our shows.”
Even after a decade and dozens upon dozens of shows, the feeling that this organization creates for members remains the same. It’s the magic of combining show-stopping talent with a place and people that feels like home.
The June performance of Hooray for Hollywood will highlight the quality and personality of hundreds of singers and musicians joining together in song. The production – complete with soloists, dancers, and actors – will be as spectacular as the individuals presenting it. Join us in Steinmetz Hall for film favorites showcased by the diversity, creativity, history, and future of CFCArts.
About the Show
Enjoy the entrancing performance of Hollywood classics with the nation’s largest community choir: CFCArts’ Community Choir in their silver screen showcase Hooray for Hollywood. A performance that provides a rousing review of hits from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows, and more! Featuring nearly 300 voices, a 50-piece orchestra, soloists, actors, and dancers.
This spectacular concert will feature selections such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Additionally, moments from fan-favorite movie musicals will include “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” and “Mamma Mia.” Put on your red carpet best and join us for a dazzling journey to the Hollywood Hills and beyond!
June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
June 16 at 3 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillip Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Learn More
The post From Silver Screen to Stage: Choir Origins appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>Into the Woods
The beloved Broadway story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them with disastrous results.
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim bring everyone’s favorite storybook characters together for a timeless fairytale with a twist. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching, brought to life in this exciting production by CFCArts Youth Theatre Troupe.
Our Youth Theatre Troupe represents the most advanced level of performance we offer. Last year, the Troupe performed Mary Poppins to five sold-out audiences and A Christmas Carol: The Musical to three packed houses!
CFCArts is proud to provide an artistic home for hundreds of young performers each year of all ages and abilities.
The Into the Woods cast features 25 talented and passionate performers (and nearly a third are graduating seniors!) who are bringing this fractured fairy tale to life onstage – and offstage, and maybe sometimes right next to you!
But beware – all may not be as it seems at this theatrical outing! Keep a careful eye out for the magic that may happen all around you. A beanstalk may sprout right next to your chair! A golden braid may descend from a tower just above you! A handsome prince on his noble steed – or a devilish wolf on the prowl – might just pass you in the aisle. And who’s that mysterious guy lurking around? As they say, “anything can happen in the woods.” Take that to heart!
We hope to see you there!
May 24 – 26
Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
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]]>From Silver Screen to Stage
Anticipation and excitement for this June’s production of Hooray for Hollywood is bubbling over! We continue to learn about the journey of our performers and their preparation to the stage through these behind-the-scenes emails focusing on the skills, dedication, and creativity it takes to get this show onstage. Hooray for Hollywood is a performance that curates the musical classics of Hollywood’s favorite films, TV shows, movie musicals, and more! In today’s highlight, we’ll be looking into the way our Symphony Orchestra plays a part in the program.
The art of sound is a power that unifies us all – and has for centuries. As far back in time as we can go, the talent of creating sonic rhythm has created bonds between musicians and communities. The orchestra acts as a living display of this. At Central Florida Community Arts, we have more than 300 non-auditioned musicians that exemplify by this almost every week. From bold trumpets or tubas to melodic saxophones and clarinets to soulful violins and cellos, the orchestra unites in a beautiful symphony with every performance they make their own.
Not tied to any one era or composer, the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra appreciates and explores a plethora of music from traditional global pieces to eccentric melodies from fan-favorite films. Much like on-screen visuals, the musical imagination is endless.
When paired with the Community Choir, that creativity expands even further. Almost every choir performance has a pit orchestra of select orchestra members to accompany the singers. Keith Walls, a member of both the Symphony Orchestra and the Community Choir, is a direct witness of this.
“Being a member of both ensembles has been a joy and a privilege,” Keith said. “It has allowed me to do things I never would have thought possible.”
Music – specifically CFCArts ensembles – grants people of all backgrounds the opportunity to be more expansive in their abilities than they could have ever imagined. The growth that takes place becomes second nature and everlasting.
Our June performance of Hooray for Hollywood puts this on display with rich symphonic instruments blended with vocalized harmonies to create a powerhouse show of a lifetime. It’s sure to be as grand as the auditorium that will host it – the world-renowned Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center. With soloists, dancers, and actors incorporated into the performance as well, Hooray for Hollywood is set to be a canvas of creativity for our members to paint together.
About the Show
Enjoy the entrancing performance of Hollywood classics with the nation’s largest community choir: CFCArts’ Community Choir in their silver screen showcase Hooray for Hollywood. A performance that provides a rousing review of hits from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows, and more! Featuring nearly 300 voices, a 50-piece orchestra, soloists, actors, and dancers.
This spectacular concert will feature selections such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Additionally, moments from fan-favorite movie musicals will include “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” and “Mamma Mia.” Put on your red carpet best and join us for a dazzling journey to the Hollywood Hills and beyond!
June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
June 16 at 3 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillip Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Learn More
The post From Silver Screen to Stage: Symphony Orchestra appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>Call of the Champions
This week, we are celebrating a bit of unlikely combination: sports and symphonic music!
The adrenaline rush in a stadium filled with cheering fans is echoed by the hushed anticipation of an audience waiting for the first note to resonate. Both experiences are a celebration of human potential and an inspiring testament to what can be achieved with passion, precision, and a touch of creativity
From “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” to “Chariots of Fire” to music from Rudy and Remember the Titans, this concert will be a powerful and thrilling reminder of how both sports and music can bring the world together.
This incredible group is made up of people just like you—friends and neighbors from across Central Florida who gather to make music, have fun, and make this a better place to call home.
The average orchestra falls in the range of 60-100 individuals. At CFCArts, we’re redefining orchestral ensembles with over 300 talented local musicians, the largest community orchestra in the country!
And the epic and triumphant sounds of packed stadiums – both real and in film – sounds better played with the passion and powerthat comes with our home-grown ensemble!
Just like a world-class athlete who trains tirelessly to perfect their craft, each musician in an orchestra dedicates countless hours to mastering their instrument. In both arenas, teamwork is paramount; a symphony weaves together the unique talents of its musicians to create a stunning, unified masterpiece, mirroring how athletes work in unison to achieve a common goal!
Experience three of John Williams’ famous Olympic themes, music from timeless sports movies, and original works that capture the essential relationship between sports and music in the powerful and immersive ways that only the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra can bring you!
Join us for Call of the Champions!
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]]>Harmonious Horizons
Set sail on a captivating musical expedition with Harmonious Horizons, where our spirited youth orchestra celebrates the culmination of a semester filled with growth, learning, and unity. This concert is not just a performance; it’s a journey across the globe, told through the universal language of music, inviting you to discover the diverse cultures and stories our world holds dear.
From the majestic highlands of Peru in “Lost Tomb of the Incas,” through the charming alleys of Europe with “Italian Folk Festival,” to the vibrant rhythms of “Mexican Fiesta,” each piece is a voyage, bridging continents and connecting hearts.
Harmonious Horizons offers a unique blend of exploration and music, embodying the spirit of discovery and the joy of shared experiences.
With just over 40 students this season, the Youth Orchestra is the biggest and best it’s been in years.
The Youth Orchestra welcomes all young musicians, from one year of experience through age 18, from those looking to join an ensemble to those active in school music programs! This group is home to students growing as musicians and having lots of fun working hard on challenging repertoire.
Join us for an evening where every note played is a step on a journey, celebrating the beauty of our world and the harmonious bonds it fosters.
Embark with us on this melodious adventure and let the music guide you to new horizons. Welcome to Harmonious Horizons!
We hope to see you there!
May 19 at 3 p.m.
Cornerstone Charter Academy
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]]>From Silver Screen to Stage
Ever wanted to learn more background information about one of the nation’s largest community choirs? The dedication of the musicians and their muse? Then this week’s “From Silver Screen to Stage” is meant for you! As many know, the Community Choir is a staple program to CFCArts and admired for both creativity and intricacy when it comes to performances.
The intricacy of this program is even more admirable when you remember that it’s 350+ voices strong and all non-auditioned artists who meet once a week. Their ability to create tight harmonies as a whole while remaining unique as singers is a masterful craft – but so is their unity as an ensemble.
“The Community Choir provides an inclusive space for everyone to come together and create beautiful music,” said Justin Muchoney, Artistic Director and Vice President of Member & Patron Experience. “Our CFCArts adult choir is un-auditioned, unlimited, and unbelievable.”
Our Orlando native program began in 2011 and has become a cherished space and home for many while a recreational source of entertainment. Even after the pandemic, it remained a refuge and place of safety for individuals who felt lost and abandoned to be uplifted again. Whether it’s in tragedy or even in the wonderful spirit of the holidays, the sentiment stays the same.
“Joining the choir completely changed my life,” said Community Choir Member Ambassador Dr. Aleta Ashford. “It was as if I had been found. With each new show, I have increased my confidence and discovered that I am capable of more than the limits and expectations set forth by other people.”
Many may ask why or how this is possible with a group of people so large and diverse in age, career, walks of life, and so much more, but it all boils down to their shared musical passion and being guided by an outstanding team with the vision to amplify that.
“There’s no one that has a better time onstage than our choir members,” Justin said, “and our vision is to serve their passion for the music and for the community by creating an environment where they can shine.”
And shine is exactly what they do! Much like diamonds, it requires hard work and resilience to bring out the best in themselves and each other. So come support them! Watch these stars show off their dedication and talent and truly dazzle this June in their spring showcase: Hooray for Hollywood!
About the Show
Enjoy the entrancing performance of Hollywood classics with the nation’s largest community choir: CFCArts’ Community Choir in their silver screen showcase Hooray for Hollywood. A performance that provides a rousing review of hits from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows, and more! Featuring nearly 300 voices, a 50-piece orchestra, soloists, actors, and dancers.
This spectacular concert will feature selections such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Additionally, moments from fan-favorite movie musicals will include “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” and “Mamma Mia.” Put on your red carpet best and join us for a dazzling journey to the Hollywood Hills and beyond!
June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
June 16 at 3 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillip Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Learn More
The post From Silver Screen to Stage: Community Choir appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>From Silver Screen to Stage
This June, the showcase of a lifetime is coming your way filled with some Hollywood favorites in CFCArts Community Choir and Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming show Hooray for Hollywood! Get ready to pull back the curtains with our star performers and masterful team as they highlight the skillset, effort, and diligence it took to get this show in the works. Hooray for Hollywood is a performance that curates through the musical classics of Hollywood’s favorite films, TV shows, and more!
Just like music, the art of cinema remains universal and filled with memorable moments. It’s a form of media that keeps many of us interwoven and connected in society through its entertainment, wow factor, and sometimes relatability. Many of these moving pieces are also enhanced by some form of music that helps express the full range of feelings behind them in a way that speaks to viewers.
Katy Reinsel Willis, one of the choir’s Member Ambassadors, exemplifies this when she beautifully explained, “I am especially excited for our next production, Hooray for Hollywood! Movies are truly universal, and songs from movies become the soundtracks to our lives. They can remind us of Home, a special person, a favorite place or a precious memory.”
From art like 2008’s Mamma Mia to soundtracks from Star Wars, Hooray for Hollywood will have it all. It’s the type of performance that highlights your most replayed scenes much like rewinding your favorite song before it’s done.
The show is brought to you through the energy and talent of 300 choir members and a 50-musician orchestra. Most CFCArts choir shows incorporate a wonderful pit orchestra that enhances the audience’s ability to be entranced by the melodious storytelling on stage.
Back in 2011, the Community Choir began as CFCArts’ first program. Since then, they have grown tremendously–in skill and number! Each member has a special place in the group and both brings and finds their own meaning through the music and relationships they create. When Katy initially joined CFCArts in 2011, she was a professional performer looking for a place to share her talent just for the joy of it.
“What I got from Central Florida Community Arts was far more,” Katy said. “I have found a true home away from home. I have met lifelong friends who have become family and have celebrated me during the good times and supported me during the difficult times.”
For Katy and so many others, CFCArts has become a place where each new performance is an exciting adventure they get to share with their fellow members. This June showcase will highlight the unique community of the choir and will also specifically feature actors and soloists from the ensemble to share special moments with the audience. With recent choir shows such as Christmas at the Movies and their supplemental choral ensemble to the orchestra’s Symphonic Disney, their grand amount of happiness and artistry has captured the awe of many viewers.
About the Show
Enjoy the entrancing performance of Hollywood classics with the nation’s largest community choir: CFCArts’ Community Choir in their silver screen showcase Hooray for Hollywood. A performance that provides a rousing review of hits from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows, and more! Featuring nearly 300 voices, a 50-piece orchestra, soloists, actors, and dancers.
This spectacular concert will feature selections such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Additionally, moments from fan-favorite movie musicals will include “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” and “Mamma Mia.” Put on your red carpet best and join us for a dazzling journey to the Hollywood Hills and beyond!
June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
June 16 at 3 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillip Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Learn More
The post From Silver Screen to Stage: Hooray for Hollywood appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>On Air with the Narrators
The Narrators are back for another hilarious show – this time about a radio show that goes any way but right! Join us as our Narrators perform The Radio Play Disaster by Don Zolidis, with original commercial breaks written by the Narrators themselves featuring real 1950s products you won’t believe ever existed!
The Narrators are an enthusiastic group of older adults (55+) who have a desire and a mission to give back to the community by performing – and have a lot of fun doing it!
This season, the Narrators had a blast bringing to life a radio play and writing ads for some truly unbelievable historical products.
Imagine…
Suburban housewives dressed in high heels, pearls, and crinolines…
Family time listening to after-dinner radio shows like Our Miss Brooks and Father Knows Best…
Evenings spent watching I Love Lucy and The Ed Sullivan Showon that brand new gadget, the television…
The latest inventions like TV dinners, alien detector helmets, and atomic energy lab play sets…
Don’t miss out on the fun! Join the Narrators to enjoy live theatre and comedy, a charming (or maybe vexing) set of vintage ads, and members of the CFCArts Big Band in On Air with the Narrators!
We hope to see you there!
April 14 and 15
CFCArts Black Box Theater
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]]>Big Hits from the Box Office
The soundtracks from our favorite films create moments that stay with you long after the movie ends. The CFCArts Big Band is celebrating some of the most fun, most familiar, and most fantastic needle drops from unforgettable movies that will have everyone grooving along!
Timeless hits like “Hooked on a Feeling” from Guardians of the Galaxy, “Live and Let Die” from the James Bond film, “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, “Gonna Fly Now” from Rocky, “Soul Man” from The Blues Brothers, and even “Welcome to the Jungle” from Jumanji, will keep audiences riveted and anxiously awaiting a sequel.
The average big band can be as small as 12 members with some modern groups falling closer to 25.
At CFCArts, we’re redefining Big Band with over 50 talented local musicians!
And film hits just sound better played with the passion and power that comes with our home-grown ensemble.
Don’t miss out on the chance to be right in the middle of the action with your favorite movie music as we play exceptionally big box office hits with our exceptionally Big Band!
We hope to see you there!
April 18 – 20 7:30 p.m.
Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center (445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
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]]>The Best of the Girl Groups
Join CFCArts Women’s Chorale for a delightful journey through the hits of iconic girl groups, featuring classics from The Pointer Sisters to Madonna, in a harmonious celebration of women’s voices and timeless music!
This year’s Women’s Chorale concert is a spectacular musical journey, paying homage to the legendary girl groups who have shaped music across generations. From the dynamic rhythms of The Pointer Sisters to the harmonious melodies of The Andrew Sisters, and the soul-stirring tunes of Martha and The Vandellas, each song is a tribute to the female voices that have left an indelible mark in our hearts.
But that’s not all! We’re also bringing to the stage the timeless hits of icons like Dolly Parton, Cher, Madonna, and many more. Each performance is a blend of nostalgia, empowerment, and pure joy, crafted to connect with every audience member.
At CFCArts, we believe in creating a space where everyone can experience the magic of performing arts. Our Women’s Chorale embodies this spirit, showcasing a diversity of voices and stories through music.
Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening where we celebrate sisterhood, music, and the legacy of the greatest girl groups of all time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these classics for the first time, this concert is a must-see for music lovers of all ages!
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]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
Song as Old as Rhyme
The music of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken truly brings the tale of Beauty & the Beast to life. The iconic melodies have spanned generations, and our Community Choir members are ready to bring those adored tunes to the stage once again.
In February of 2011, Central Florida Community Arts began with just one program: Community Choir. Since that time, the choir has grown to over 250 voices per season who perform full concerts that feature many different styles of music. Their annual holiday extravaganzas, like this year’s Christmas at the Movies, have become a Central Florida tradition for many.
In addition to weekly rehearsals and at least two program-specific concerts per year, choir members have the opportunity to give back to the community through volunteer performances for partners and other nonprofit organizations. Because CFCArts is community-based with the goal of providing everyone with a place onstage, our choir is non-auditioned and open to anyone ages 18+.
Brandon Fender, our choral programs director and the co-music director of Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert, along with Melody Rivero, our choir manager, shared what this production means for the ensemble and how it marks a historic opportunity for our members to shine.
Over half a dozen of the cast members are also a part of the Community Choir throughout the year, and in this magical production, we are able to showcase intersections of programs like this in one spectacular evening!
“The beautiful part of the concert version of this production is that the choir is just as much part of the story as everyone else,” Brandon said. “They will be seated on stage with the main actors and ensemble during the entire production and will play such a unique part in bringing this story to life.”
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast: In Concert is the choir’s eighth full-scale, concert-style version of a Broadway musical. Past titles include Ragtime, Titanic, Oklahoma!, The Music Man, Into the Woods, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Each performance over the years has brought fond memories and new skills to the choir members, and Beauty & the Beast is no exception, forging a special connection among the group.
“One of the biggest themes for me is the correlation between the ‘Be Our Guest’ number and how passionate the choir is about their audience and putting on a good show,” Brandon said. “There’s such a connection between the themes of putting on a good show and making the guests feel taken care of.”
The ways that members from across CFCArts are coming together to tell the beloved story create some especially unique and meaningful moments.
Melody also sings in the choir, and her son Ethan is part of the Beauty and the Beast Youth Theatre Troupe.
“This will be the first time Ethan and I will get to perform in the same CFCArts show,” she said. “He has done 17 shows and countless camps with our Youth Theatre Programs, and I’ve been a part of the choir shows for the last few years. But I am extremely excited that we will finally have the chance to share the experience of being on stage together.”
But for Brandon, there’s another personal note found in this show.
“The highlight of this season is to hear the masterful works of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman soar quite literally off the page,” he said. “To be able to experience the original 1992 animated film in the theatre as a kid only to direct and hear it come to life 30 years later as an adult is a very big full circle moment for me.”
This nostalgic feeling is shared by so many of the Community Choir members and others involved in the production, and they can’t wait for audiences to experience the magic of the music they have grown to be so fond of!
Community Choir members present Once Upon a Dream in May 2023.
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Choir appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
“Far Off Places”
In Beauty & the Beast, the boy-turned-teacup Chip is one of many memorable characters in the beloved tale, but it doesn’t make sense for him to be the only child around the castle or village. To remedy this and to highlight yet another CFCArts program area, twelve members of the Youth Theatre Troupe will join the cast on stage as Villagers and Wolves.
Hayden Patterson is the CFCArts youth programs administrator and Youth Theatre Troupe stage manager for Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert, and she will also be playing the role of the Bookseller in this production. Hayden shared eloquently about this group of students she’s so invested in:
“When thinking about this ‘tale as old as time,’ I feel like we often look back to an earlier period in our lives when we were younger and could feel the magic of our favorite stories come to life as they jumped off the pages in front of us.
“We have all had a moment in our childhood where we have wanted to leap inside our favorite books so we could go on incredible adventures alongside our beloved characters. It is remarkable that our Youth Theatre Troupe has the unique opportunity to do just that!
“While our typical semester productions consist of our students performing in various plays and musicals alongside their peers, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert gives our students the chance to experience high-quality theatre in the most interactive way possible—by making them a part of the story.
“Our Youth Theatre Troupe is considered our most advanced level group within our youth programs, giving students adequate experience within the performing arts that will prepare them for their future high school, college, and conservatory careers. Our Youth Theatre Troupe has tackled challenging productions in the past, such as The Sound of Music, Aida, Matilda, and Mary Poppins.
“Beauty and the Beast presents a new and exciting challenge for these students because they are not just learning alongside each other but also with their adult principal cast members, with a creative team of renowned professionals, and on a stage that is truly larger than life.
“This production is giving our students the hands-on experience that our program strives to prepare them for, so it is exceptionally special that we are able to give them an authentic environment where they are learning music with many challenging harmonies, advanced choreography, rehearsal etiquette, in-depth character studies, and even individualized prop creation that will aid in integrating their specific characters further into the story. Our Youth Theatre Troupe will not only participate in telling a tale as old as time, but they will also become a part of the story itself, from exploring the village library with Belle to defending the castle with enchanted objects galore.
“I am incredibly excited to see this production process unfold for these incredibly talented students—the essence of self-discovery, compassion, and pure magic that emanates from a musical like Beauty and the Beast is something that all of us can take to heart. But there is truly something special about letting the young ones the story was meant for become the characters they read about once upon a time.”
The pre-professional Youth Theatre Troupe rose to the challenge of Aida in June 2021.
(Header Image Caption: The Youth Theatre’s Elf the Musical in December 2022 included creative staging choices such as “ice skating” on stage.)
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Youth appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Zac Alfson
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
zac.alfson@cfcarts.com
NEW FORMAT ALLOWS CFCARTS ACADEMY TO SERVE MORE
Central Florida Community Arts Academy kicks off new season with group classes, weekend workshops
ORLANDO, FL. (August 1, 2023) – Central Florida Community Arts is excited to announce new classes and formats that allow the longstanding Academy program to reach more learners of all ages in the region. The CFCArts Academy offers intensive workshops and multi-week classes designed to help people build skills and confidence in the arts.
Academy Manager Erin Wolfe, who has worked with CFCArts since 2016, will continue strategic and creative oversight of the program.
“The Academy has always been an arena for growth,” Wolfe said. “I speak from experience, as the Academy was my first introduction to CFCArts as a teacher, and I am proud to say that all of the beautiful things that have happened to me in the last seven years with this organization are because of that first step. Students typically come out of our classes a little braver and a little more confident, not only in their art but also in their lives.”
Classes for fall 2023 include the return of the Cabaret Studio class for adults, and a new teen cabaret class experience, where young performers will learn about the structure and repertoire selection of cabaret-style performances, then select music and write stories to perform in their own cabaret.
“I am particularly excited for our Teen Cabaret Studio class this season, as we give our teenagers the space and the freedom to be themselves—to write their own script and see how they can find their own story in the music that they love,” Wolfe said. “I am also really excited to bring some new experiences for young adults that we didn’t always have the bandwidth before to do.”
One and two-day workshops will be added to the schedule, including educational programs already offered through community partnerships, now available to the public for the first time. These workshops, starting with improv and audition workshops for all ages in the fall, will bring more opportunities to learn and develop new artistic skills while providing a social and creative outlet for participants.
CFCArts is also asking the community what kind of classes they’d like to see offered, planning ahead for future in a survey now available on their website. Students seeking private instruction can find a list of teachers, with whom CFCArts has worked in the past, on the Academy website.
CEO of CFCArts Terrance Hunter said, “This shift really allows us to craft specific experiences tailored to broader groups of our community. It’s an expansion—an evolution—that gives us greater freedom to listen to what our people want and then create that for them. We’re so excited to explore new ways to introduce individuals to the arts and show them that here, they have a place to belong.”
Cabaret Studio
A group of adults (18+) who love to sing and perform! Join Jill Dautzenberg for a 12-week class in how to perform in a cabaret style using song, storytelling, and engaging with both your fellow musicians and the audience. Each class is 90 minutes long and will guide students through repertoire selection, performance techniques, and working as soloists or in small ensembles. The class will culminate in a cabaret performance, and no experience necessary!
August 30 – November 15
Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm
$100 per student
CFCArts (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Performance: Thursday, November 16, 7pm – The Renaissance Theatre (415 E Princeton St. Orlando, FL 32803)
Teen Cabaret Studio
Teens in Grades 7-12, join Megan Victoria Stillson for a 16-week cross-seasonal class in how to perform in a cabaret style using song, storytelling, and engaging with both your fellow singers and the audience. The first 8 weeks in the fall will cover repertoire selection, storytelling, and how to program your show, and the second 8 weeks in the spring will rehearse material to culminate in a final performance! Students will get the opportunity to perform and experience different genres of music and work with both recorded and live music.
September 27 – November 15 AND January 17 – March 6
Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm
$150 per student
CFCArts (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Performance: Friday, March 17, 7pm – CFCArts Black Box Theater (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Adult Improv Workshop
Have you always wanted to learn how to be an improviser? In this workshop you will learn how to start a scene from nothing, how to create a character, and how to perform a scene with a partner. Taught by professional improviser and founder of Improv U, Anthony Francis. Anthony will guide you through the process with fun activities, exercises and insights. No experience necessary. No need to be funny or clever. You’re enough just the way you are. Class prerequisite: Must be able to agree.
Friday, September 29, 7pm-9pm
$25 per student
CFCArts (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Youth Improv Workshop
Improv acting is the art of creating characters, scenes, and relationships in real time live on the stage! In this workshop you’ll learn how to do just that. Open to Grades 7-8, classes will start with warm ups and then exercises and activities that show you the techniques necessary to create fun and entertaining scenes from scratch! Taught by professional improviser and founder of Improv U Anthony Francis. No need to be funny or clever. You’re enough just the way you are. Class prerequisite: Must be able to agree.
Saturday, October 14, 10am-12pm
$25 per student
CFCArts (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Musical Improv Workshop
Join Anthony Francis for a musical improv workshop! Discover the magical world of improvisational acting as you create songs together from nothing. Learn to make a song from a simple word or idea, support your fellow players, and create special music in the moment. No need to be a great singer; just love to sing! Rhyming skills not required. Experience the fun and ease of making up songs in a group. Perfect for those with basic improv knowledge. Taught by Anthony Francis, a professional improviser and founder of Improv U. Don’t miss your chance to experience this side of improvisational acting that few dare attempt, but all enjoy! Class prerequisite: Must be able to agree.
Friday, November 3, 10am-12pm
$25 per student
CFCArts (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804)
Registration and more information are available at CFCArts.com.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post New Format Allows CFCArts Academy to Serve More appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
Tale as Old as Time
It couldn’t be more fitting to have four members from the CFCArts Narrators share the role of “Narrator” together in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert.
The Narrators are an enthusiastic group of older adults (55+) with a desire and a mission to give back to the community by performing – and to have a lot of fun doing it! Their rehearsals each season feature vocal warm-ups, senior-friendly theatre games designed to get participants laughing and their imaginations active, and culminate in an often-comedic performance consisting of improv games, prepared monologues, and short scenes that suit each performer’s strengths.
Four regular Narrators members will be participating in Beauty & the Beast, including the Narrators Member Ambassador.
“Like UpBeat!, this will be the biggest stage the Narrators have been on. (Though, two of the four are also regulars in the Community Choir.)” shared Sara Breitfelder, the administrator for the School of Arts & Health. “The Narrators – and these ladies, in particular – are hilarious, and I am excited to see what they bring to the table with this show! I am so excited to see our School of Arts & Health programs on the big stage.”
The themes of Beauty & the Beast and the community-centric way in which we’re telling this beloved story speak so strongly to the goals of the Narrators.
Chris Hicks is a teaching artist with CFCArts, the show director for Narrators performances, and has performed on stage with other CFCArts programs .
“In our ageist society it can be tempting for older adults to feel invisible, but a desire to contribute to the community and to do what you love does not diminish with age,” Chris said. “We love the cross-generational communication that takes place when we interact with others of different ages; we can learn from them and find that they learn from us. Beauty & the Beast offers the perfect opportunity for that.”
Kaileigh Anne Tayek, director of the School of Arts & Health, has a heart for the programs and finding new opportunities for the members to celebrate their talents and friendships and to highlight their skills for our broader community. (We’re so excited for this fall, when the Narrators are taking their performance from the CFCArts Black Box Theater up to the Art & History Museums of Maitland in a show with original content inspired by the museum’s exhibits.)
“This opportunity with Beauty & the Beast is the first time the Narrators! talents with be seen as part of a CFCArts mainstage production,” Kaileigh Anne said. “While this is a milestone for the group, which began in 2016, these performers are not novices! I am thrilled to see them recognized for their talents and given the space to perform amongst such an elite cast of performers.”
Kaileigh Anne summed up the Narrators’ purpose both as a program and in Beauty & the Beast when she said, “The Narrators! remind us that age is just a number, you are as young as you feel, and you are never too old to explore and excel at a new skill.”
Chris Hicks and Maxwell Killi played a grandmother and grandson in the narrative surrounding the Community Choir’s show Once Upon a Dream in May 2023. Killi will also play Chip in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert.
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Narrators appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
Ever a Surprise
“It takes a village” to create a French village or an enchanted castle. “It takes a village” to bring hundreds of unique individuals together to produce a magical story. The rehearsal and production process for Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert continues to be a beautiful representation of people coming together as a community, and the creative team is a wonderful example.
“People in the industry who have been doing it for a long time want to give back by sharing their skills,” shared Juan Torres, director of production for CFCArts and the Beauty & the Beast show director. “We’re really leaning into gathering experts in their field to help us tell this story.”
Juan has worked with CFCArts for many years and has stage-managed for some of our biggest, most challenging and impactful productions.
“Not only does Juan have a keen eye for creating shows, but he also has a deep understanding of and love for this organization and its people,” shared VP of Creative & Production Justin Muchoney. “We’re so excited for him to have a chance to step outside his normal role with lighting and audio and the behind-the-scenes work to bring the dialogue, the blocking, and the relationships and moments on stage vibrantly to life.”
The creative team Juan has put together is currently about a dozen industry professionals who are gifting their time to help bring this story to life – from prop designers who have been in the industry for more than 30 years to someone who has styled wigs on Broadway to a talented local costumer, delightful choreographers, and so many more.
“We want them to work with professionals who have that experience,” Justin said. “We value our members and their personal success so highly that we’ll stop at nothing to surround them with the right people.”
There will be some elements that take the experience just a step beyond strictly “in concert.” But it’s important to understand something: These additional elements stem from a place of highlighting the existing talent in our community and creating an experience that makes each person on stage feel valued.
“As we’ve gone into this production, like so often happens when you get the right people in the room, there are some really wonderful talents that you discover people have,” Justin said. “We set out with a really broad mentality that this show is going to be whatever this community needs the show to be, whatever they’re ready for and want.”
And it turns out that shaping a production around the member experience means exciting discoveries. For instance, multiple cast members are capable of tap dance features, and one is a competitive ballroom dancer.
“It’s joyous to be able to integrate other skills that they bring to the table into the production,” Justin said. “The audience can look forward to seeing surprises and unexpected skills. We’re really seeking to showcase the talent of the people who are right here in our community.”
Guests will feel the intention and community behind the production from the very opening sequence. The unique layout at Northland allows singers to be in the aisles and Belle to walk through the audience on her way to the village. They’ll feel the immense joy of the performers in the tavern with “Gaston.” And “Be Our Guest” will give each group of members a chance to shine and welcome the audience to feel like a part of the story.
Beauty & the Beast isn’t a story that’s often told by over 200 people, both on and off the stage. Everyone involved in this show is working hard to create a compelling version of the tale through a relentless commitment to community, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Juan summed it up best: “I want the members to have an amazing experience, and it’s amazing to see how much joy and passion other creative members on the production team share in the mission of giving back to our members that are participating.”
The CFCArts production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 2018 was also presented in concert.
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Production appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
“Be Our Guest!”
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast: In Concert is one of our biggest shows of the year, and we want to give you a special look at what that means! This production combines the talents of so many of our different programs here at CFCArts, both onstage and behind the scenes. And our UpBeat! Theatre Troupe is no exception!
UpBeat! is a performance group for youth, teen, and young adult exceptional learners. They produce multiple shows each year, including both plays and musicals – each one uniquely designed to fit the students that particular season. UpBeat! is open to actors with a variety of exceptionalities, including (but not limited to) autism, Down syndrome, and ADHD.
These members will be a part of several of the biggest, show-stopping numbers within the production – like “Be Our Guest” – bringing their skills to enhance the experience for all who join us.
Two of our team members who work closely with these talented members are Sara Breitfelder and Kaileigh Anne Tayek. Sara is the School of Arts & Health administrator and UpBeat! stage manager. Kaileigh Anne is the director of the School of Arts & Health and also a proud and knowledgeable advocate of arts accessibility. Together, they shared what goals UpBeat! members are working on, alongside their contribution to this production.
Sara shared the impact this has on both the nine members themselves and the program as a whole.
“This opportunity is a huge deal for our members, as this is the biggest stage that most of them have performed on,” Sara said. “It’s exciting to see UpBeat! on stage with our other program areas, especially because they, as well as the Narrators, are two of the newest programs at CFCArts. Seeing UpBeat! grow as a program is so exciting!”
Just like their regular seasons, members are personally challenged to develop their skills within the performing arts.
The primary goals for the UpBeat! performers in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert include learning to work cohesively as a group to dance and sing. They’ll master and execute choreography with just the right timing for the show. They’ll show positive, energetic body language such as smiling and actively participating when performing. And they’ll also learn to sing the beloved melodies of Beauty & the Beast to tie it all together.
“The UpBeat! team is so excited to get to collaborate with the other CFCArts programs for this amazing production!” Kaileigh Anne shared. “This opportunity highlights the incredible talent that exists across our whole diverse community, proving that all stages are for all people.”
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: UpBeat! appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members. We are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
(Click here to read more of a show overview!)
Tune as Old as Song
Did you know the standard Broadway pit orchestra has just over 20 musicians? This particular version of Beauty & the Beast only calls for 11. But in true CFCArts fashion, we have a whopping 48 musicians involved!
The orchestra for this show will combine three different programs: Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, and Youth Orchestra.
This experience for our members is meant to share talent across the organization, allow them to learn from each other, and deepen the respect and relationships we have as a community. The process is now underway since the pit orchestra met for their first rehearsal just last night.
Justin Muchoney, the CFCArts vice president of creative and production as well as the Big Band and Symphony Orchestra director, is also leading musical direction for Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert.
“Because it’s a collaboration of three very different ensembles, the way they interact and learn the show is already intriguing. There’s going to be so much growth from individuals and as a group through this rehearsal process,” Justin said. “Plus, the chance to meet, work, and create together is just fun!”
Our trombones, drummer, and bass guitarist possess talents that typically fit best in the Big Band, yet this show gives them a unique opportunity to perform with strings and symphonic percussion.
One of the Youth Orchestra violinists will personally benefit from playing alongside talented, adult violinists. With the unique opportunity to perform in a Broadway pit orchestra, the youth performer will also bring a different energy and anticipation that will ripple across the whole violin section.
“This story, this music is supposed to move you, and with a nearly 50-piece orchestra, you’ll feel the music in a really different, visceral way than you’re used to when you see a Broadway show,” Justin said. “Oftentimes, the orchestra is an accompaniment to what you see on stage.
“Here, however, it’s really rather its own character in the show. It’s on the same footing as costumes and lyrics in creating this experience. It will bring power and majesty to this magic beyond what people are expecting.”
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Orchestra appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>A Look Behind the Curtain
This September, we are bringing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert to the stage in a sweeping concert version, featuring a choir, orchestra, full cast, and the unique incorporation of other CFCArts members.
This ‘tale as old as time’ is one of love, belonging, and community. Beginning with an already-incredible story, vision, and score, we are working to create the largest, most inclusive production the region has ever seen, representing so much of the work that CFCArts does every year on a single stage.
But not just any stage… a stage where you can see yourself represented, where friends and neighbors meet to create art together, and where we can all be reminded that the way we choose to love each other is more powerful than anything on the surface.
We’re so excited to share this celebration of community and collaboration with you!
Juan Torres, our fabulous director of production and the Beauty & the Beast show director shared: “Our responsibility in this is not to put our own spin on it but to take that amazing story and empower our members to find their voice and their character and to be part of something so much bigger than any one person.”
Bringing together all the various program areas collectively to participate in what this is is a huge undertaking. We’re thrilled to see our Youth Theatre, our School of Arts & Health with UpBeat! and the Narrators, our Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, and Community Choir – plus a talented cast of local artists – all be a part of this experience.
“The cross-organization support this show has from our members speaks volumes to this production building a community not only through the arts but also through a collaboration of programs that don’t always have a chance to interact.”
Say “Bonjour!”
Casting a production like this is no small feat. Our region is home to countless performers seeking ways to come together and create, and we received hundreds of video submissions from our phenomenally talented community. From that very first step, we’ve tried to keep the experience focused on the collaborative storytelling of this experience.
Local actors interested in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert participated in a “blind audition” – but not in the way you might think. Typically, in the theatrical community, the creative team or at least the director is announced alongside auditions. That didn’t happen this time.
“By not having that information out front, nobody auditioned based on the creative leadership,” Juan said.
“They auditioned based on their interest and desire to be a part of the show. They were there because they wanted the opportunity to act and to be a part of what goes on at CFCArts. That’s what we wanted: for them to come because of the story we’re going to tell.”
The cast is remarkable, with so many representatives of both our CFCArts community and our broader Central Florida community.
“During the audition process, we asked those auditioning to pair up to read sides, allowing us to see the connection between various characters throughout the story and how those would play out on stage,” Juan shared. “The connection was instant with so many of them and resonated so well with those of us on the creative team. We were able to see how much these characters mean to the cast members, and we are excited to see how they collectively share their connections to their characters and each other with all of you in September.”
The joy in the room already from the very first read-through promises magic on stage, and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it!
About the Show
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
September 7-8 at 7:30pm
Northland Church (522 Dogtrack Rd, Longwood)
Learn More
The post Behind the Curtain: Cast appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Zac Alfson
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
zac.alfson@cfcarts.com
NEW BOARD MEMBERS JOIN CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Four new members advance the organization’s focus on enriching the community by providing accessible and affordable arts.
Orlando, FL. (May 9, 2023) – Today, Central Florida Community Arts, an organization with the mission to serve and build community through the arts, announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors: Anna Eskamani, Sara Osborne, Luis Sousa-Lazaballet, and Jed Prest.
As CFCArts continues to see ongoing success and rapid expansion, it prioritizes having a Board of Directors composed of a diverse group of individuals committed to their strong passion for the arts and their community. Board members are elected for a three-year term and can be re-elected for an additional three years.
One of the new board members and Orlando native, Anna Eskamani, is the daughter of working-class immigrants who came to the United States in search of the American Dream. She’s known across the state and nation as a leader who’s “unbothered, unbossed and a bold fighter for Florida families and everyday people.”
In 2018, Eskamani made history as the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida. After winning her re-elections in 2020 and 2022 by an overwhelming majority, she’s been championing critical issues like economic justice, environmental protection, climate change, healthcare access, equality for all, funding for public schools and support of arts and culture as a State House Representative in the Florida Legislature.
Eskamani joins the board of directors with Sara Osborne, the Sr. Director of Orlando Health’s Community Benefit of External Affairs, a not-for-profit healthcare organization. Osborne is responsible for oversight of the Orlando Health Community Grant Program and Community Health Needs Assessment for Orlando Health. Working alongside medical providers and community partners, she also serves the most under-resourced populations in the community and promotes health and wellness for all residents as a certified community benefit specialist from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement.
As a graduate of Orlando Health’s Advanced Leaders program, Osborne serves as Co-Chair of the All4Health Florida Collaborative in West Central Florida, a coalition of health departments and health systems across 4 counties, providing open access to data and improving health by leading outcome-driven health initiatives through community health assessments. She also is a member of the Central Florida Community Collaborative, which promotes a culture of health by ensuring access to healthcare resources through the collaboration of healthcare organizations and providers, as well as ATHENA NextGen Orlando, an organization that strives to support, develop and honor women leaders.
Osborne explains, “As a theater and arts enthusiast from a young teenager, I am thrilled to join the CFCArts board and am looking forward to giving back to the Central Florida community through this opportunity!”
Like Osborne, Luis Sousa-Lazaballet, another new CFCArts board member, has always had a passion for theater, dancing, and “anything related to what happens on a stage” since youth as well.
Sousa-Lazaballet explained he grew up being discouraged from participating in arts and culture but managed to balance both volleyball, which allowed him to come to the U.S. on a full scholarship, and his love of the arts. Through this experience, he realized many of the people he practiced with didn’t have the resources it took for him to be successful. At this point, he thought about how much talent was left untapped and undiscovered because of a lack of access to resources.
“I want to support an organization that fosters this type of freedom, joy and self-expression for everyone,” Sousa-Lazaballet explains. “CFCArts is making the arts accessible and affordable to all, and making the dreams of many a reality, and I want to be a part of that mission.”
Sharing the passion to further CFCArts’ mission is Jed Prest, a Principal at Baker Barrios Architects. He was heavily inspired by co-worker and previous board member, Carlos Barrios, who always encourages community engagement among employees. Barrios has been a longtime volunteer and member of CFCArts programming.
With 30 years of experience, Prest has worked on a diverse set of projects, bringing a collaborative vision with a focus on creating sustainable, healthy indoor spaces, and overall responsible design. Active in the industry, he has served as Vice-Chairman of the Orlando Historic Preservation Board and on the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the City of Orlando’s National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Baker Barrios Architects has a wonderful history of giving back to the communities that we serve,” said Prest, “It feels excellent to be able to continue in the footsteps of my mentor Carlos Barrios, a recent CFCArts board member, and further CFCArts’ mission to serve and build community through the arts.”
Each new board member brings a unique perspective to the already diverse board, continuing to strengthen CFCArts’ organizational values. From Eskamani’s political and social leadership experience, Osborne’s drive toward health and wellness for all, Sousa-Lazaballet’s passion for accessible arts, and Prest’s vision for responsible design, the addition of these four board members represents an essential continuation of what makes CFCArts a thriving cultural institution and home for the creatives of Central Florida.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
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The post New Board Members Join Central Florida Community Arts appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Zac Alfson
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
zac.alfson@cfcarts.com
CFCARTS ANNOUNCES CAST FOR DISNEY’S BEAUTY & THE BEAST: IN CONCERT
The organization-wide show includes inclusive roles in a continued effort to make the arts accessible for all.
ORLANDO, FL. (April 19, 2023) – Central Florida Community Arts is proud to announce the principal cast for Disney’s Beauty & The Beast: In Concert, a collaborative performance that will bring together members from across the organization to tell the classic story. The show will feature the innovative inclusion of CFCArts members to represent each of the organization’s program areas.
“The talent in our community is absolutely remarkable,” said Justin Muchoney, Vice President of Creative and Production for CFCArts. “It is going to be such a thrill working with these incredible actors and singers from across Central Florida… all of whom are a part of what makes this such a dynamic, fun, and creative place to call home.”
Cast
Jordan Grant as Belle
Chase Williams as Beast
Justin Dresner as Gaston
Ryan Blagg as Le Fou
Tristan Bishop as Maurice
Zach Mitchell as Lumiere
Joseph Carrier as Cogsworth
Dana Gough as Babette
Ashley Marie Lewis as Mrs. Potts
Maxwell Killi as Chip
Daisy McCarthy Tucker as Madame de la Grande Bouche
Ensemble
Kenneth Anders as Monsieur D’Arque
Solmarie Cruz Martinez as La Fille
Meagan Haddock as La Fille
Nicole Riddering as La Fille
Jo Fabian as Baker
Christian Inirio as Tavern Master
Brinley Shumway as Milkmaid
Hayden Patterson as Bookseller
Eve-Lynn Comer as Hat Seller
Elaina Marie as Candlemaker
Emily Le as Laundry Lady
Erin Boone as Marie
Rebecca Oslacky as Sausage Curl Lady
Tyler Gillson as Crony
Caroline Del Rey as Crony
Ella Thompson as u/s Chip
“This production highlights our values of inclusivity and accessibility on so many levels,” said Muchoney. “We are so excited to share all that makes CFCArts unique and wonderful. Bringing together our members – from our Community Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Big Band alongside our Youth Theatre, Youth Orchestra. CFCArts Narrators, and UpBeat!, acting programs for older adults and performers with exceptionalities such as autism, Down syndrome, and ADHD will even join in the fun, helping us to tell this story with joy and collaboration. We can’t wait for everyone on the stage and in the audience to experience this moment together.”
Opportunities for dancers and youth performers will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert! Inspired by the Academy Award-winning animated feature and based on the international Broadway sensation, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, plus new tunes by Alan Menken and Tim Rice.
In true CFCArts style, this spectacular concert version of the beloved fairytale will bring together hundreds of CFCArts members from across programs to craft the classic story of adventure, curses, and love, transporting you into the magic!
Those interested in participating in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert without auditioning or in non-acting capacities will find opportunities through other CFCArts programs or by volunteering. CFCArts invites the Central Florida community to “be our guest” and experience a magical night of music, theatre, and community. Tickets are on sale at CFCArts.com/Beauty.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
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The post CFCArts Announces Cast for Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Zac Alfson
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
zac.alfson@cfcarts.com
CFCARTS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF DISNEY MUSIC WITH “ONCE UPON A DREAM”
Audience members of all ages are invited to enjoy an immersive, Disney-themed, musical extravaganza!
ORLANDO, FL. (April 3, 2023) – Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) announces its production of Once Upon A Dream: 100 Years of Musical Magic. Featuring 300 members, this immersive extravaganza will be a musical revue of Disney animated and live-action films from the last century. This concert experience will highlight music from the early animated days of the 1920s to the animated renaissance of the 1990s, the recent smash hits of the last 20 years, and even a celebration of live entertainment from Disney parks and destinations. This performance is one of CFCArts’ many Disney-themed events this year, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.
CFCArts Community Choir director and founding member Brandon Fender is excited to share the magic which, like so many others, he grew up adoring.
“This isn’t a standard choir concert, but rather a fully produced, multimedia, theatrical experience that features the CFCArts choir and orchestra,” Fender said.
Featuring theatrical lighting, projections, and other enchanting effects, this immersive concert will wrap the audience in nostalgia and awe, reigniting the magic of Disney they first experienced as children.
“I have such wonderful memories of growing up and going to the movie theater and seeing my favorite hero or princess in action on the big screen,” Fender said. “Having the ability to experience those movies come to life in my backyard at the Disney Parks was life-changing and set a trajectory for my career to come. As a kid, I would lock myself away for hours, putting on cassette tapes and putting on shows for myself in my bedroom. Thirty years later, I’m still putting on shows, but the experience looks a bit different.”
Once Upon a Dream combines several programs into one spectacular performance. The iconic music that holds such personal memories inspired many members to take part in the celebration.
“The choir is growing so much—not just in numbers of members but in diversity,” Fender explains. “I’m proud of this season in so many ways, but one that sticks out to me is the nearly 60 new choir members joining us, connecting with our family of artists, and rediscovering their love of music and choral singing.”
Fender continues as to how this experience is much larger than just a show; it’s a “a collective celebration of members’ dreams and memories from over 300 artists taking the stage this spring.” He describes it as “a way to remember and cherish our past experiences while using those moments to propel us to new dreams or recommit to ones we have tucked away or given up on.”
Once Upon a Dream also includes actors that will share stories throughout the evening, emphasizing the generational impact of Disney and how there is no time limit to experiencing the magic. This show will be a celebration of a century’s worth of memories passed down through families and loved ones.
“No matter what someone is experiencing in their life, we believe there is a Disney song that can lift their spirits,” said CFCArts Vice President of Creative & Production Justin Muchoney. “The relatable characters and stories help every member of a family feel less alone, knowing that there is always not just a star they can wish upon, but also an unexpected community of people eager to help their dream come true.”
With a number of choir and staff members being past or present Disney cast members, the Once Upon a Dream performers and crew are deeply connected to telling these timeless stories. For example, Muchoney worked at Disney, starting off as a spokesperson for the parks during “The Year of a Million Dreams” and worked for 12 years in a variety of roles prior to joining CFCArts full-time. Director of Production Juan Torres, Fender himself, and several other production team members currently work in leadership and production roles within entertainment at Walt Disney World.
Whether it be their personal connection to working with Disney or love for the company itself, each choir member brings something special to the stage to contribute to a feeling of nostalgia and childlike wonder to this concert.
CFCArts invites audiences to share in this magical experience on May 4-5! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit CFCArts.com/Dream.
ON SALE NOW
Once Upon a Dream
This spring, experience a concert 100 years in the making as the CFCArts Community Choir presents Once Upon a Dream: 100 Years of a Musical Magic. Featuring 300 members, this immersive extravaganza will be a musical revue of Disney animated and live-action films from the last century. Featuring music from the early animated days of the 1920s to the animated renaissance of the 1990s, the recent smash hits of the last 20 years, and even a celebration of spectacular live entertainment from Disney Parks and destinations.
Date: May 4 & 5, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Northland Church
Tickets: Starting at $10
Tickets available online at CFCArts.com/Dream
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post CFCArts Celebrates 100 Years of Disney Music With “Once Upon a Dream” appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
CFCARTS ANNOUNCES BENEFIT EVENT WITH AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY ACTORS
CFCArts invites you to enjoy an intimate evening with the cast of A Strange Loop at their event Make Them Hear You: Black, Gay, and on Broadway
ORLANDO, FL. (February 24, 2023) – Central Florida Community Arts today announced a special evening with actors from the Tony Award®-winning show, A Strange Loop. The event is presented in partnership with Florida Theatrical Association. All proceeds will benefit CFCArts.
A Strange Loop is a groundbreaking, Tony Award®-winning musical that sheds light on an artist’s journey through life as he grapples with his self-image, identity, familial expectations, and love. Join CFCArts for Make Them Hear You: Black, Gay, and on Broadway, an intimate conversation with members of the cast, as they explore these issues and more. Featuring musical moments that shaped each artist, the evening will be filled with singing, laughter, honest conversation, and moving insights.
The event will feature members of the Tony Award®-winning cast – L Morgan Lee (Thought 1), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), James Jackson Jr. (Thought 2), and Jason Veasey (Thought 5) – accompanied by Dr. Terrance Lane.
Dr. Lane was the director of Choral Studies at Bethune-Cookman University for many years, with interests in student development and social justice. He is a highly respected musician, music director, and educator in Central Florida.
Chevalier Lovett will host the event. A Florida native, Lovett is currently COO for Florida Rising, an organization focused on equity and change throughout the state. He has held multiple leadership positions with nonprofits and serves on local, state, and national boards and committees. Lovett has performed locally, including several CFCArts productions, and actively speaks up for marginalized communities.
CFCArts CEO Terrance Hunter will moderate the evening’s conversation. Like Lovett, Hunter has also worked with a variety of nonprofits. These include Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, and the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. He serves on multiple boards including Hope CommUnity Center – an organization dedicated to serving the immigrant, undocumented, and working poor of Central Florida – and National Alliance for Music in Vulnerable Communities among others.
Hunter, an Orlando native, has been involved in the arts since elementary school. He received his degree in education and brings his passion for the arts and his commitment to education to CFCArts. His career has always included a single focus on the power of an institution to build authentic, impactful relationships with the community, resulting in visible and lasting change.
“The arts have always been a vehicle for social change and commentary,” Hunter said. “In addition to providing an escape, they also provide unparalleled insight into the experiences of others, allowing us to build, among other things, empathy and understanding.”
Early in 2021, CFCArts Board Member Steve Fessler and his husband Randy Lord joined forces with five-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway Producer, Barbara Whitman and Barbara Whitman Productions, LLC as investors in the hit Broadway musical, A Strange Loop, to the Broadway stage in NYC.
“We feel that it is more important than ever to share a story about the personal truths of being LGBTQ+ artists performing at a high level in the arts with our friends in Central Florida,” Fessler said. “The ability to share a message of love, acceptance and inclusion through the arts is our mission in life. Spreading the word that the arts are the Great Equalizer – bringing people from all backgrounds together – can only make us stronger as one community.”
Make Them Hear You: Black, Gay, and on Broadway take place on Tuesday, March 28, at 8pm at The Abbey Orlando. Tickets will be available starting at 2pm on Friday, February 24, at CFCArts.com/StrangeLoop.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post CFCArts Announces Benefit Event With Award-Winning Broadway Actors appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
CFCARTS ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR DISNEY’S BEAUTY & THE BEAST: IN CONCERT
The organization-wide show includes inclusive roles in a continued effort to make the arts accessible for all.
ORLANDO, FL. (February 16, 2023) – Central Florida Community Arts announces auditions for Disney’s Beauty & The Beast: In Concert, a collaborative performance that will bring together members from across the organization to tell the classic story. The cast and audience will have lots to love about this concert version of the “tale as old as time.” The show will feature the innovative inclusion of CFCArts members to represent each of the organization’s program areas.
“This production highlights our values of inclusivity and accessibility on so many levels,” said Vice President of Creative & Production Justin Muchoney. “We are so excited to share all that makes CFCArts unique and wonderful. Bringing together our members – from our Community Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Big Band alongside our Youth Theatre, Youth Orchestra, and UpBeat! Theatre Troupe – will enable us to tell this story with joy and collaboration. We can’t wait for patrons and members alike to create and experience it together!”
CASTING NOTE
CFCArts is building an enthusiastic, inclusive, and diverse cast of non-equity actors for this production. As we strive to make sure this cast represents our whole community, CFCArts encourages everyone to submit for any and all roles that are of interest to them, regardless of how they have previously or traditionally been seen or cast.
This audition cycle includes 11 principal roles – Belle, Beast, Gaston, Maurice, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Chip, Babette, Madame de la Grande Bouche, and Lefou – but there will be more opportunities for dancers, youth performers, and ensemble actors announced at a later date.
AUDITION INFORMATION
This first round of casting will be conducted through video submissions only. If interested, please fill out the form at CFCArts.com/Beauty-Auditions. Submissions are open from now through Friday, March 17, 2023.
Character descriptions, the audition form, guidelines, and important dates are available on the CFCArts website. The website also includes contact information if additional assistance is needed.
Actors must be available for regular rehearsals in July and August and the performance week September 3-9.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: In Concert! Inspired by the Academy Award-winning animated feature and based on the international Broadway sensation, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, plus new tunes by Alan Menken and Tim Rice.
In true CFCArts style, this spectacular concert version of the beloved fairytale will bring together hundreds of CFCArts members from across programs to craft the classic story of adventure, curses, and love, transporting you into the magic!
Those interested in participating in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert without auditioning or in non-acting capacities will find opportunities through other CFCArts programs or by volunteering. CFCArts invites the Central Florida community to “be our guest” and experience a magical night of music, theatre, and community. Tickets are on sale at CFCArts.com/Beauty.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post CFCArts Announces Auditions for Disney’s Beauty & the Beast: In Concert appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS INTRODUCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Three new members who share an incredible passion for the arts and the community join the organization’s leadership.
ORLANDO, FL (September 16, 2022) – Today, Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors: Lynette Jackson, Jack Feivou, and Esu Ma’at.
With CFCArts continuing to expand and see ongoing success within the community, it’s important to include individuals on the board who share a strong passion for the arts, the community, and its people from various backgrounds and walks of life. All board members are elected for a three-year term and can be re-elected for an additional three years.
One of the new board members, Lynette Jackson, is a native Floridian with a passion for traveling, music, fashion, and food. Jackson has over 16 years of banking experience with Chase Bank, where she is now a community manager, and 20 years of experience in financial services.
In line with CFCArts, Jackson believes in having an impact and driving change in the lives of others. She is a mentor and life coach for young girls and serves on several community boards and organizations. She received the “Community Builder” award from Community Star for her work in the Central Orlando area.
“I’m extremely excited to serve on the CFCArts board!” Jackson said. “It allows me the opportunity to marry my love of music and the arts with my personal responsibility of giving back to the Central Florida community.”
Jackson joins the board of directors with Enchant Christmas’ Vice President of Production and Executive Producer Jack Feivou. Feivou began his career in entertainment as a production manager for conventions and special events at Walt Disney World. In his first year, he managed over 200 events. Over the next four years, he also produced marketing events for WDW and Disney Cruise Line in Orlando and New York.
Feivou has worked in non-profits, performing arts centers, and major theme parks worldwide. He has worked as a stage manager, production manager, producer, and general manager for companies such as the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and Enchant Christmas. He recently completed service as vice president of conferences and Universal Creative. An experienced leader, he understands the intricacies and global vision of entertainment businesses. His years of experience have taught him that “we manage things, and we lead people.”
Feivou – a lifelong lover of dance – was given the opportunity to be the director of artistic operations and chief operating officer with the Boston Ballet. There, he worked closely with the artistic and executive directors and ran the company’s production and daily operations.
“I am excited to join the board of CFCArts and be able to share my passion and experience with this wonderful community arts organization,” Feivou said.
Sharing Jackson and Feivou’s passion for leadership is Orlando Magic Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Esu Ma’at. Ma’at has worked closely with the Magic’s executive team and their social justice task force to implement an impactful DEI strategy, making a powerful impact on the organization and the Central Florida community.
An artist and an athlete, Ma’at grew up in a family steeped in arts and culture. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was the curator of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Since attending the School of Performing Arts in New York and completing degrees in economics and sports management, Ma’at has held many different roles in diversity and equity. Before joining the Orlando Magic, he created and led the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern Diversity and Inclusion department. He also served on the advisory board for the All-In Diversity Project, a London non-profit organization focusing on DEI indexing and worldwide standards.
“As a lifelong enthusiast, the arts are near and dear to my heart,” Ma’at said. “Through board service and participation, I look forward to contributing to the growth and vitality of the local arts movement; in particular, making programs more accessible to local underresourced communities.”
As these three individuals join CFCArts, they bring a tremendous passion for the arts and the local community. From Jackson’s love and service to the community, Feivou’s incredible production knowledge with Walt Disney and other companies, to Ma’at’s leadership experience in diversity and inclusion, the newest board members will help CFCArts reach new heights and continue to strengthen organizational values.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post Central Florida Community Arts Introduces New Board Members appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>The post CFCArts Presents a Trio of Holiday Events appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
CFCARTS PRESENTS A TRIO OF HOLIDAY EVENTS
Find your Christmas spirit this season with CFCArts’ annual holiday extravaganza and more!
ORLANDO, FL. (November 28, 2022) – Central Florida Community Arts announces it will ring in the holiday season with three exciting Christmas shows. Members from multiple CFCArts programs will bring to life different fun-filled shows throughout December, including the organization’s annual extravaganza Winter Wonderland, the jazz performance A Big Band Christmas, and a youth performance of Elf the Musical.
Kick-starting the holidays is the Big Band, which will have 40 members presenting a night full of everyone’s favorite holiday tunes with A Big Band Christmas. The show will be performed at Lake Buena Vista High School on December 2 at 8 p.m. and December 3 at 6 p.m.
The fun won’t stop there. The CFCArts Community Choir will carry patrons away on a snow-filled adventure with Winter Wonderland. More than 200 singers will be on stage, along with more than 40 members of its Symphony Orchestra. This performance will feature snow-themed favorites such as “Let It Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and many more. The two-act concert will also tell the traditional Nativity story as well as include favorite songs from movies and television specials from this time of year.
“For 12 years, the Central Florida Community Arts choir and members of our symphony orchestra have presented our annual holiday extravaganza,” said Brandon Fender, who is the director of choral programs at CFCArts and the conductor of Winter Wonderland. “Thousands of artists, performers, singers, and instrumentalists have graced this very stage, making this concert truly a spectacle – one that draws crowds and patrons back year after year.”
Fender is excited to bring this year’s beautiful show to Central Florida and reflects on the hard work the Community Choir has put into this production.
“Winter Wonderland is a culmination of hundreds of hours of time, rehearsal, and dedication,” he said. “It is a celebration of this time of the year and a reminder of the magic the holiday season brings us. We celebrate in the fun, laughter, joy, and hope of the songs and stories we continue to tell. We hope audience members leave refreshed, renewed, and filled with some extra holiday spirit!”
Winter Wonderland will be performed at Northland Church on December 15-16 at 7:30 p.m., and the creative team has several production surprises in store.
To wrap up the year, CFCArts’ Youth Theatre Programs will present the Christmas show Elf the Musical, where audiences can adventure from the North Pole to New York City with Buddy the Elf. Families who have watched the 2003 New Line Cinema movie Elf as part of their holiday traditions will be delighted by this musical adaptation of the film by David Berenbaum.
The story is about Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity – and to help the people of New York rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
The youth theatre is excited to present this modern-day holiday classic on December 16 at 7 p.m. and December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Trinity Preparatory School.
With tickets to all three performances starting at only $10, CFCArts continues to live out its mission of making the arts affordable and accessible. The Central Florida community will be able to join friends and family to sing along with the snow-filled extravaganza of Winter Wonderland, jive with the swinging beats of A Big Band Christmas, or even find their inner elf in Elf The Musical. CFCArts is excited to present these incredible holiday shows with the goal of spreading holiday cheer.
ON SALE NOW
A Big Band Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we invite you to kick-start your holiday season with the biggest, baddest Big Band in town! The 40-piece CFCArts Big Band is going to ring in the Christmas season with a night full of your favorite holiday tunes. Packed full of all of the Christmas music you love, performed in classic Big Band style, we know you’ll love rockin’ around with us at A Big Band Christmas!
Date: December 2, 2022, at 8 p.m.; December 3, 2022, at 6 p.m.
Location: Lake Buena Vista High School
Tickets: Starting at $10
Tickets available online at CFCArts.com/BBXmas
Winter Wonderland
This December, step into a snow-filled, holiday festival as the Central Florida Community Choir presents its annual holiday extravaganza, Winter Wonderland! This year’s concert will feature holiday favorites specific to the cold and snow-filled fun of the season including “Winter Wonderland,” “Let It Snow,” “White Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and more! Also featured in this two-act concert will be the traditional telling of the Nativity story, as well as favorite tunes from Christmas and holiday movies and television specials from this time of year!
Date: December 15-16, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Northland Church
Tickets: Starting at $10
Tickets available online at CFCArts.com/Wonderland
Elf the Musical
Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, based on the New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Date: December 16, 2022, at 7 p.m.; December 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Trinity Preparatory School
Tickets: Starting at $10
Tickets available online at CFCArts.com/Elf
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post CFCArts Presents a Trio of Holiday Events appeared first on CFCArts.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
ROCK OUT WITH THE CFCARTS ORCHESTRA
Join the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra for Classic(al) Rock in Steinmetz Hall This November!
ORLANDO, FL. (October 25, 2022) – Central Florida Community Arts announces it will be going to the Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall once again on November 19 with Classic(al) Rock, presented by the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra. This unforgettable event will feature 224 musicians – more than triple the size of a standard symphony orchestra – as well as a rock band, and soloists selected from the CFCArts Community Choir. Audience members can expect to rock out to songs such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Crazy Train,” “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” and beloved hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The concert will also include music by other legendary artists from The Beatles to AC/DC, from Bon Jovi to My Chemical Romance, from Van Halen to Pink, and so much more.
Justin Muchoney, CFCArts vice president of creative and production, who is also the orchestra’s music director and conductor, designed Classic(al) Rock to be an experience of “something massive, joyous, unexpected, and uplifting.” He encourages audiences to have as much fun as possible, including singing along. The concert is intended to be a celebration of music and community.
“Here at CFCArts we believe that the performing arts are a perfect way to connect with one another, to share experiences, and to build meaningful community,” said Muchoney. “We are a community orchestra in the purest sense – our members are people from throughout our communities, volunteers who join together once a week to have fun, make some music, dream big dreams about how we can entertain you, and give everyone a great reason to call Central Florida ‘home.’”
CFCArts is proud to have members of all different backgrounds take part in creating art as a city and for the community. Members can be any Central Floridian, ranging from a music instructor to a nurse or lawyer from just down the road. A local middle school teacher may sit alongside a retired professional musician and a grocery store clerk who drove over an hour after work to be in rehearsal. These people are who make up CFCArts and shape its culture.
“But don’t let that word ‘community’ fool you,” Muchoney said. “This is a brilliantly talented ensemble of over 200 musicians who practice and perform with more joy, enthusiasm, dedication, and talent than any orchestra I’ve ever worked with.”
CFCArts is also proud to present this event in the newly-opened Steinmetz Hall. Acknowledged as one of the world’s most acoustically perfect spaces, Steinmetz Hall lets guests enjoy a range of performances – with or without amplification – by local, national and international artists. With tickets starting at just $20, Classic(al) Rock is one of the most affordable ways to experience the world-class performance venue.
Members of CFCArts have already performed in this space. They were part of over 250 local performers, including members from the Orlando Philharmonic and Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras among others, who brought Rise & Shine to the Steinmetz Hall as its first-ever performance in January 2022. CFCArts members also performed at CeCe Teneal’s ICONS, a performance-meets-award-ceremony celebrating 20 years of local arts and culture pioneers, as well as at Broadway on Magnolia, alongside the Orlando Choral Society and University of Central Florida Choirs.
CFCArts is excited to bring together thousands of people from across Central Florida to experience the sheer joy and relentless energy of this concert, where their musicians will bring classic rock hits to life in epic, never-before-imagined ways.
Classic(al) Rock will be performed at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on November 19 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $20-40 and may be purchased online at CFCArts.com/Rock.
ON SALE NOW
Classic(al) Rock
Join the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra in Steinmetz Hall this November for a classic rock concert! Classic(al) rock, that is… This unforgettable concert will feature more than 200 orchestra members, a rock band, and a few special guests. Come rock out to everything from The Beatles and Queen to Pink, Bon Jovi, Journey, Van Halen and so much more. Classic(al) Rock will be a high-energy, fun spectacle for your whole family that will have you singing along, banging your head, and experiencing the joy of live music on an epic scale. Don’t miss this chance to hear some of your favorite rock hits performed by one of America’s largest community orchestras in one of America’s greatest concert halls!
Date: November 19, 2022
Time: 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Location: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: Starting at $20
Tickets available online at CFCArts.com/Rock
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post Rock Out With the CFCArts Orchestra appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>The post CFCArts Welcomes New Board Members appeared first on CFCArts.
]]>MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Sikorski
Director of Marketing
brian.sikorski@cfcarts.com
CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
New board members share their passion for the arts
ORLANDO, FL (July 26, 2022) – Today, Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors, Dr. Meghan Budvarson, Cherisse Stover, and CeCe Teneal.
As CFCArts continues to expand and introduce the arts to a broader community, it is imperative that its board consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and a passion for the arts. Board members are elected for a three-year term and can be re-elected for an additional three years.
One of the new board members, CeCe Teneal, is a performing artist and songstress whose voice and passions resonate with CFCArts. Singing her own original blues/folk/funk pieces, the award-winning singer has traveled to over 40 countries with her band Soul Kamotion. Some of her accolades include the Independent Music Awards’ 2011 Best Gospel Song and nominations for the 2011 Best R&B album and 2018 Best Soul/Funk/Fusion song. She also performed during the halftime show at the 2019 Citrus Bowl.
As a performing artist, she brings experience from the industry side of the arts to the board. A number of CFCArts’ own orchestra and choir members are joining Teneal for a show on September 19 at Steinmetz Hall, with proceeds benefiting CFCArts. Most recently, she has been working as Entertainment Director for FusionFest.
“I believe in the mission of CFCArts, and I look forward to learning more about the diversity of our programs,” Teneal explains. “I am excited to lend creative and artistic ideas, as well as raise awareness surrounding the massive impact this organization has in the community.”
As a member-based and member-driven organization, CFCArts enjoys board participation from a number of program members in their choir and orchestra. Dr. Meghan Budvarson continues this tradition as a saxophone player performing in the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra and Big Band.
When not participating as a member, Dr. Budvarson is a division director of community care at AdventHealth, where she has had much experience in non-profit organizations. With a Ph.D. in Public Affairs, she has decades of experience supporting and protecting children and families, as well as those battling homelessness and mental illness. She comes from a background as a licensed clinical social worker and a music lover for over 30 years, matching her experience with the diversity of programs the organization offers. CFCArts facilitates numerous programs fusing health and music to meet individual needs across varying demographics.
“I am very passionate about CFCArts and believe the organization stands for everything I look for in a community,” Dr. Budvarson said. “I truly look forward to representing the mission and core values of CFCArts throughout our community.”
She shares this passion with Cherisse Stover, who is also new to the board.
Stover is the Senior Manager at Tupperware Brands Charitable Foundation & Social Impact. In the past, she worked in community relations with Orlando Health and the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Having grown up playing music and performing in local community arts groups, I’m thrilled to join the CFCArts board and support its mission to serve and build community through the arts,” Stover said.
What these three board members have in common is that they all represent various tenets of CFCArts’ values as an organization. From Teneal’s experience as a performing artist, to Dr. Budvarson and Stover’s involvement in CFCArts’ own music programs, these additions represent a vital continuation of what has made CFCArts a thriving cultural institution.
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ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) is a nonprofit organization that exists to build and serve the community through the arts. Besides producing seasonal concerts, the heartbeat of CFCArts is to give back to the community by providing affordable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. Visit CFCArts.com for more information.
The post CFCArts Welcomes New Board Members appeared first on CFCArts.
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