ACT Cares Press Releases & Announcements
May 12 - 29, 2009 - ACT Cares Phoenix - Teachers and staff work with a local youth afterschool program.
ACT, a local acting program with satellite programs around the country, is sharing the gift of education in the arts with a local youth program, by offering free acting class instruction for the month of May through the special outreach program, ACT Cares. In conjunction, the ACT satellite programs, based mostly in the Eastern US, conducted an essay contest for current ACT students to also share in the goals of ACT Cares.
Members of the youth program, signed up in late April to attend 4 sessions of classes beginning May 6 and ending on May 28. Students attend class once a week, working on commercial acting techniques, interviewing and audition skills. All participants will finish the sessions by attending a final showcase night for LA-based talent agent Christopher Ledford (ABA) on May 29.
ACT school director Will Hightower, who has been heading up the effort says, “The kids are really excited to have us come to the club each week. Our traditional programs can be a stretch for folks on a tight budget or limited transportation options, so it’s been a wonderful experience to be able to teach kids we may never meet otherwise. They have such passion! And knowing we are giving them an opportunity that they might not have a chance to explore previously is truly rewarding for me and my staff.”
For those markets where permanent operations are not established, ACT contacted students to write essays of 1000 words or less sharing their thoughts on the arts program and the difference it has made in their life. Winners of the essay contest will be announced on May 31, 2009 and will have funds donated in their name to national charities, totaling $1500. A follow up to ACT Cares essay contest will be released in a few weeks.
May 31, 2009 - Winners of Essay Contest
The place holders below will have the dollar amounts listed donated to a charity of their choice in their name.
The total donations are $1500! Click the individuals below to read the winning essays.
1st place - $500 donation: Moriah Zuckerman
2nd place - $400 donation: Max Sanders
3rd place - $300 donation: Daniela Wagner
4th place - $200 donation: Sam Henkel
5th place - $100 donation: Brittany Anderson
Honorable mentions go to Lou Wegner, Jasmine Collins, Kevin Pham and Michelle Santana
