When the curtain goes up tonight at the Edgewood Fine Arts Theater it will mark a major milestone for the Academy Acting Company. This fall is the 20th Anniversary Season for the company that has impacted countless students and the Edgewood community.
“This milestone is not just about the past, but also about the future, continuing to build a legacy of creativity, expression, and opportunity for the next generation of theatre artists,” says Claudia Casso, Theater Arts Director at the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy. “It’s a celebration of all the hard work, the collaboration, and the magic that happens when our students realize the power of their own voices.”
The 20th anniversary season will bring some dynamic and exciting opportunities for students and audiences. It starts with two performances of Blood Wedding, an intense drama full of love, fate, and poetic language with tragedy woven throughout. The AAC will follow that show with Chicago (Teen Edition), the crowd-pleasing, high-energy musical full of catchy jazz numbers in February. The third show of the season will be Chemical Imbalance, a dark, quirky and humors take on the Jekyll and Hyde story. Casso is proud of her students’ dedication to and their willingness to take on challenges to bring the stories to life.
“Students have learned how to manage their time, balance school and rehearsal, and stay focused during intense creative processes. They take pride in their work,” says Casso. “They’ve risen to every challenge in the past, and I know they’ll continue to do so.”
Fine Arts Academy student and actress Rubi Sanchez is in her second year with the Academy Acting Company. The sophomore is excited about the new season and what she’ll learn as the curtain goes up.
“Theater has helped me be more outgoing and comprehend my emotions better,” says Sanchez. “Theater has also boosted my confidence and [given] me the courage to work harder for the things I want.”
Sophomore Chloe Madrid is also ready to take on more roles on the stage and behind the scenes. She feels joy every time she steps on stage.
“Every character I play is unique and the stories are so captivating that it’s easy to get lost in them,” says Madrid. “The complexity of each role makes every production feel fresh and exciting.”
Both students are looking forward to the music and dancing that has made Chicago a popular show.
“I know [my peers] are excited about it because we know its going to be so fun during the process of the show,” says Sanchez. “I know our audience will have fun watching the show as well.”
As the cast and crew prepare for the house lights to go down and the curtain to go up, Casso is excited to see where this season will take her students.
“Each show brings new opportunities to learn and create unforgettable experiences,” says Casso. “This season is no different.”
For tickets to Blood Wedding (Bodas de Sangre) click this link: https://cur8.com/16412/project/125625