Education Department: December 2007

Ever willing to put my two cents in, I would also like to welcome you to the blogspot.

I'm the Director of Education, and not to be left out of the strange name category, it's Cynde Liffick (and it's pronounced just like Cindy).

In my world, there are a couple of exciting things coming up:

1) A performance of six 8-year-old players in the Cary Elementary afterschool program on Tuesday, Dec 11 at about 7:00 PM. (It's a PTA meeting so absolute times are out). They will be performing the first Mechanicals' scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream and I predict they will be wonderful!

2) It's not strictly holiday themed, but if you're looking for something to occupy your children between the time they leave school and the weekend, have no fear, Shakespeare is here! We still have some slots open for the Mini Mid-Winter Shakespeare Camp for 8-14-year-olds. It will be held here at Tabernacle Baptist Church (where our offices are housed) on the corner of Grove and Meadow in the Fan. The fledgling players will meet from 1:00-4:00 PM on Dec 19-21, and will stage a performance on Dec 21 at 3:30. The subject? That ever-so-cheery fare of Shakespeare's death scene(s)! So there will be some swords and poison involved. Call 232-4000 to find out how to join!

Finally some suggestions on holiday treats to watch :If you can find it, watch A Midwinter's Tale, directed by Kenneth Branagh. It's a black and white gem, not only for the in jokes for theatre people (especially for British theatre), but for me it encapsulates the heart of why I'm in this profession and what's important to me about it. Also the cameos by Joan Collins, Edward Jewison and that actress who was in Absolutely Fabulous (the TV series). I can never remember her name. She does an atrocious Texas accent, but by this point in the movie, I didn't care.

Oh - and it takes place at Christmas.

The second is NOT in the spirit of Christmas--unless it's the Grinch x 1000--but I am SO EXCITED about Sweeney Todd, the movie. All the preview reviews have been great, with the caveat that there might be too much blood for people. Duh, it's Sweeney Todd.