ELTC ENJOYS SHARING THE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE WITH EVERYONE

"East Lynne Theater Company has given me more than a professional experience.  It has reestablished a love for the art of theater in my soul. In all honesty, any doubts that I may have had about pursuing a career in theater has been completely erased. The joy of my internship during last summer was not just being able to go to the beach - that was a perk (which also happened to be pretty rewarding).  However, it was having the opportunity to able to share and recreate the beautiful and impactful stories that Herbert Mitgang and James Rana wrote, with the countless audience members that came and viewed our performances. This is why we perform and create theater - not for profit, but for the audience." - Jared Aronoff, ELTC intern/production assistant in 2015, received ELTC's Scholarship in 2015, performed in ELTC's Ah, Wilderness! in 2017, he's a New Jersey resident and graduate of Temple University
 

4th GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL: DURING CLASS-TIME, AFTER-SCHOOL, AND HOW ABOUT A SHOW? 
Believing that art should be accessible to students, ELTC has provided theater workshops to schools in South Jersey, at no cost to these towns or schools, continuously, since 2000, and is the only not-for-profit in South Jersey to do so. These workshop can be either process or production-oriented. ELTC seeks funding through organizations like Target and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and individual contributions. Arrangements can be made to have classes attend special matinees of our productions, and/or we can bring a production to the school.    

"Thank you for the information that you shared with our fifth grade students during your playwriting sessions in March. This made for unique and exciting educational experiences.  The event was new and outside of their comfort zone.  Their participation was highly enriching and possessed immeasurable intrinsic value.  I was very proud to see them come out of their shell and perform for their peers, teachers, and parents.  We so appreciated your visit at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, as well as did our students". -- John Kummings, Principal, Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, Wildwood, NJ

WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES FOR ADULTS
Why should young school-age students have all the fun?  Playwriting, acting, improvisation and even juggling workshops are available for adults, too! ELTC's professional actors have taught classes at our performance venue, The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, as well as brought our workshops to libraries, museums, and private homes. 

At least one Friday per production, between June and October, there is a post discussion where the audience can ask questions of the actors and the creative team. For groups, arrangements can be made for these discussions to occur at other times, if given two weeks' notice.   

We've also taught the following classes for Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) and other Adult Education Programs throughout the Northeast:
Acting, Playwriting, Shakespeare, American Literature, and American Theater History. Members of ELTC are also accustomed to teaching those with special needs i.e., the Blind Center of the Jersey Cape and the LEAD Program, both with members who are partially or totally blind. 

"Thank you for working with the Blind Center of the Jersey Cape. The participants are very pleased with the services that you are providing to them." - Donna Groome, Social Worker, Cape May County Board of Social Services 

STUDENT SUMMER WORKSHOP 
Since 2007, students ages 10-16 have had the opportunity to work with ELTC's professional performers and teaching artists in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere.  Our Summer Student Workshop culminates with students performing, admission-free, for the community in early July. Past productions include Alice in Wonderland, The Little Princess, Hans Brinker, Connecticut Yankees in Queen Guenever's Court, Little Women, Storybook Theater,1,001 Arabian Nights, The Dancing Princesses,​ Tom Sawyer, Detective, and  Dracula's Guest.  Click Here for Details and Workshop Form.

"My two boys have been part of ELTC's in-school programs and also participated in East Lynne's Summer Program.  We've absolutely loved that experience as well.  The children get an excellent program at a modest fee compared to other camps. In fact, I prefer East Lynne's program to others because Gayle holds the children to a higher standard of professionalism and conduct than I've seen elsewhere." - Cindy Smilyk

INTERN PROGRAM
We receive e-mails from theater students and recent graduates throughout the country asking how they can work with ELTC. Interviews are between January - April, and we usually hire two for the mainstage season. Ages range from 14-22 and ELTC provides hands-on training in what it takes to keep a theater going.  Occasionally interns perform in productions, and may be considered for the Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund. Contact ELTC's Artistic Director through eastlynneco@aol.com for details.

In 2015, the Structured Learning Experience program began at Lower Cape May Regional High School, and Mary Rose Bispels, an Internship Supervisor, asked ELTC if we would like to participate. We said "yes," and since September, the same Senior student has been working with ELTC several hours a week. It's a great program!

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your paticipation in our Structured Learning Experience program at Lower Cape May Regional High School for the 2015-16 school year.  Since the purpose of the program is to provide students with an internship in a field they hope to pursue, your work environment is an ideal site for our interns.  Your expertise and experience provide them with a window into a specific field. Thank you again for taking the time to educate our youth in an exciting format." - Mary Rose Bispels, LCMR Internship Supervisor 

HISTORIC JACKSON STREET NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOLARSHIP (HJSNA) FUND
This scholarship was started in the fall of 2006 with a $5,000 donation from HJSNA, in honor of Bob and Toni Green, who first owned The Puffin Bed and Breakfast on Jackson Street, ELTC gives this award annually to those with a passion for theater, either on stage, or back stage, who wish to pursue theater as a career. This includes those who are currently attending high school, college, or have recently graduated, and are going out on their own. Recipients: 2007: Caitlin Wallace; 2008: Erin Callahan; 2009: Bobby LeMaire; 2010: Tiffany-Leigh Moskow; 2011: Grace Wright; 2012: Gabrielle Wilson; 2013: Jacob Foster Ongsiaco; 2014: Evan Smilyk; 2015: Jared Aronoff; 2016: Audrey Dangler; 2017: Brigid Harrington

"I wanted to personally thank you for all of your kindness.  It was was an honor to receive the Scholarship from East Lynne, and I will do my best to make you proud.  I hope to work with all of you again. You are the best!" - Brigid Harrington  

"I am grateful for your kindness and your involvement in the promotion of the success in the lives of college students.... I am very highly involved with both the department of theater and dance, as well as my academics. At times, it can be very busy being involved with theater and schoolwork, but this encourages me to continue on the road to success.... It was very thoughtful of ELTC to nominate me. I have enjoyed every production I've seen and plan on attending more in the future!" - Jacob Foster Ongsiaco