Established in 2015, The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble’s mission is centered upon strengthening the voices of young artists. Utilizing theater-arts based curricula, EYTE provides creative learning opportunities for youth of city and global majorities where they gain experiences that empower self and community.
Via live performance and multi-media presentations, the participants will continuously investigate what creative courage is, why it’s vital to their personal success and that of their community.
The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble structures each workshop with an understanding of the following:
Students will participate in exercises that will increase levels of focus and attention, the foundation of all performance.
Students will work on strengthening their diction and vocal presentation skills with the help of trained Voice and Speech mentors for Film and Theater.
Students will be exposed to a variety of acting techniques: Improvisation, Listening, Reacting, and Discipline.
CREATIVE COURAGE: The goal is to build the students confidence in their ability to write and explore their experiences, thoughts, and their imaginations.
Students will have the opportunity to explore various aspect the film process: acting, writing, directing, cinematography, editing. The students will have an opportunity to work hands-on with industry professionals.
Theo Perkins -Theo is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble. EYTE’s major initiative is Walking the Beat: a devised theater residency for teenagers and police officers in Los Angeles and New Jersey, supported by Warner Media/HBO. For his work Theo was honored for Community Arts and Entertainment by the Union County Urban League Young Professionals of New Jersey.
As an actor, his television credits include guest star appearances on “Lie to Me” (Fox), Raising the Bar” (TNT), and “N.C.I.S” (CBS). Broadway: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.” Recent theater: “Failure: A Love Story” (Kirk Douglas Theatre); “The Golden Dragon” (Boston Court;) “Fences” (International City Theatre), and “The Brothers Size” (Fountain Theatre). He has a BA from Morehouse College and an MFA in Acting from UCLA’s TFT; GC -Executive Arts Leadership Program at the University of Southern California. Currently, Theo serves on the Board of the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and is an Arts Coordinator and Advisor at the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA.
Contact: theo@elizabethyouththeater.org
CURRICULAR DIRECTOR & PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Angela Kariotis – Curriculum Director & Program Facilitator: Angela Kariotis Called “a lithe and vital writer- performer” by The Star-Ledger, Angela Kariotis “possesses the raw energy to light up a small city” heralds The Chicago Reader. But it’s her sly and engaging use of language that makes her work memorable in dynamic performances that are serious and seriously funny. Angela has brought her unique performance style across America and beyond to venues such as The University of California- Los Angeles, Contact Theater in Manchester, UK, Legion Arts in Iowa, the Off-Center in Austin, TX, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the Hip Hop Theater Festival in New York City. She is winner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Playwriting Fellowship, Tennessee Williams Theater Fellowship, and National Performance Network Creation Fund Award. With its deft balance of narrative, critique, and movement, as well as Angela’s visceral and fluid performance, her work has connected with audiences across the U.S.
Conctact: angela@elizabethyouththeater.
