The Crane Acting Troupe


	*Crane Acting Troupe Spring 2008 Production*				Director: Gail Nadeem Helfer Choreographer Deborah Langenfeld Musical Director: Dianne Rieck “Anything Goes” is presented by special arrangement with Trans-Wilmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Ave., NY NY 10022

	Congratulations Crane Acting Troupe for the SPECTACULAR PRODUCTION OF ANYTHING GOES! A cast and crew of more than 72 students and 14 pit band members presented the musical to sold-out audiences on March 27, 28, and 29. Thank you to all teachers, parents, volunteers, and community members who supported the students in another succcessful Crane Acting Troupe production.
	March 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 pm


	2007 Production - 42nd Street





	*Scenes from 2006 production of Fiddler on the Roof*





	Scenes from the 2005 production of Beauty and the Beast
	Director and Producer: Gail Nadeem Helfer ~ Musical Director: Dianne Rieck Presented to sold out audiences on March 31, April 1, and 2, 2005 in the newly renovated Ichabod Crane High School Auditorium



	*Scenes from 2004 Crane Acting Troupe production of....*





	*About the Crane Acting Troupe* The Crane Acting Troupe was organized after two successful seasons of summer musical productions at Ichabod Crane. The Troupe is a co-curricular activity open to students in grades 7 through 12 under the advisement of music and theatre teacher Gail Helfer. Each year students in the Acting Troupe have the opportunity to attend workshops on auditioning skills, costuming, make-up, and stage crafts. Members of the Crane Acting Troupe are not only performers, but also technical staff and crew members interested in the many tasks associated with theatre, both onstage and backstage. The first musical produced by the summer theatre group was Oklahoma! in 1994. The cast size was approximately 40 students with limited crew assistance. Over the years, cast and crew membership has increased. The 1996 production, South Pacific, included 45 students, teachers and administrators; 50 members produced Grease in 1997; involvement jumped to 65 in Guys and Dolls in 1998; 65 students and adults were in Oklahoma! in 1999; and in 2000, the production of Wizard of Oz utilized a cast of more than 75, including 30 second grade students. Cinderella was presented in 2001 through the efforts of a cast of 60 with a technical crew of 30. The Acting Troupe performed Hello Dolly to sold-out performances and featured more than 80 people, including 16 seniors, 3 administrators, 2 faculty members and 3 alumni. Community assistance is welcome and has been growing over the years, which provides an opportunity for the expertise of adults to be shared with the students.The International Theatre Festival has nominated the Crane Acting Troupe to represent New York State at the Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland at the summer competition in 2003. Seniors have received the New York State Theatre Education Association's 'Certificates of Excellence' in theatre. Several seniors have served as interns at the New York State Theatre Institute. Alumni of the Crane Acting Troupe have continued their studies in theatre, musical theatre, dance, arts administration, stage management, technical theatre, and scenic design. Recent graduates of these programs have obtained employment as scenic painter for the Barter Theatre, stage manager for a national tour of Ragtime, stage manager for the Goodspeed Opera House, and ensemble member in the national tour of Ragtime. For more information, contact Gail Helfer, Ichabod Crane Central School, 2910 Route 9, Valatie, NY 12184; (518) 758-7676 or (518) 758-7577.

	Ichabod Crane graduate and Acting Troupe member, Edward Helfer Jr. (Class of 1999), was featured in the off-Broadway musical production of "A Stoop on Orchard Street" in 2003. Under the stage name of 'Edward Anthony,' he is shown above (photo left, top row) and in photo on right shaking hands with members of the Crane Acting Troupe during a special trip to New York City to view the production and participate in an interactive after-show discussion.