From a press release sent to Smile Politely:
After an 8-week camp that ran participants through the rigors of vocal performance and harmonies, acting exercises, and dance moves, 22 local youth are prepared to present “A Classy Cabaret” on Tuesday, August 5 at 7pm at the Fluid Events Center on 601 N. Country Fair Dr.
The Champaign-Urbana area youth, who range in age from 11-16 years old, will be performing well-known songs from the 20th and 21st century, sure to delight children of all ages as well as adults. The show features complex harmonies and choreography, as well as monologues that set the scene for the songs. Cabaret-style table seating creates a more casual audience environment.
The creator of the Glee Bootcamp and director of “A Classy Cabaret” is St. Thomas More graduate Caitlin Caruso-Dobbs, who is an incoming junior in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Music Theatre at New York University Steinhardt, in Manhattan. She recently performed the role of Carrie Pipperidge in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, and is looking forward to returning to New York to begin rehearsing for NYU Steinhardt’s fall musical, The Man of La Mancha, in the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea.
In addition to performing, Caruso-Dobbs has a passion for teaching music and theatre to young people. In 2011 she founded the Champaign Urbana Youth Glee Club. She is the proud first recipient of the 40 North 88 West “Student ACE” Award in 2011 due to her work with CU Youth Glee Club and the Champaign Park District Youth Theater Program, which she served in a variety of roles including: assistant director, music director, sound designer, stage manager, and director.
Caruso-Dobbs has been assisted these past eight weeks by Acting Coach James Dobbs, Vocal Coach Debra Myers Dobbs, and Assistant Kevin Hodge.
“These are amazingly talented kids from all over the Champaign-Urbana area,” Caruso-Dobbs said. “They’ve worked really hard for eight full weeks and are ready to show what they can do.”
Champaign-Urbana Youth Glee Club’s presentation of “A Classy Cabaret,” is on Tuesday, August 5th in the Banquet Room of the Fluid Events Center, 601 N. Country Fair Drive. $5 General admission at the door.