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The N.U.R.T. Troupe, 2011-12
The N.U.R.T. Troupe, 2011-12

NU Theatre to present free children's theater shows and musical this summer

by jmaloni
Mon, May 21st 2012 04:00 pm

Press release

Here comes Lily with her purple plastic purse! And Alexander, as usual is having a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. ..." And Pierre just doesn't care! Yes, N.U.R.T. is back and better than ever. Our fast, furious and fantastically funny children's tales brought to life by trained actors will delight audiences of all ages. And as an extra attraction, all N.U.R.T. performances are free.

A grand tradition of family-friendly entertainment is about to be revived. Niagara University Theatre's repertory troupe, N.U.R.T., will present a rotating repertoire of free children's stories outdoors in the Village of Lewiston at Artpark, where it has not performed since the 1990s.

The N.U.R.T. troupe will also perform in the air-conditioned comfort of the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center, Clet Hall, on the NU campus. N.U.R.T. will perform at Western New York daycare centers, YMCAs and health care facilities, too.

In addition, the N.U.R.T. actors will perform in a family theater production this summer, "Duck for President," presented by The Friends of Niagara University Theatre. This musical will be directed by Terri Filips Vaughan, associate professor, dance/choreographer, for Niagara University's Department of Theatre and Fine Arts. The musical will be on stage at the Leary Theatre from July 26 through Aug. 5, and is appropriate for all ages.

Reservations are not required for this free production. Seats are available on a first-come, first served basis. Call the NU Theatre Box Office at 716-286-8685 for information.

"Duck for President" will be on stage at the Leary Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28, and Thursday, Aug. 2, and Friday, Aug 3. The musical will also be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, Wednesday, Aug. 1, Saturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5. Also, a 10 a.m. performance will be presented on Saturday Aug. 4.

Members of the N.U.R.T. troupe include the following NU theater studies students: Sean Craig of Buffalo; Kathleen Denecke of Hamburg; Matt Gilbert of Berea, Ohio; Nathanial W.C. Higgins of Springville; Josie Lazusky of Cochranton, Pa.; Amy Mings of Buffalo; Jennel Pruneda of San Antonio; Steph Schmidt of Rochester; and Michael Sheridan of Amherst. Director of the troupe is Amanda Lytle Sharpe, adjunct speech professor with Niagara University's Department of Theatre and Fine Arts.

This summer's N.U.R.T. schedule is as follows:

N.U.R.T. at Artpark in Lewiston

  • "Family Saturdays" at 1 and 3 p.m. on the following dates:
  • July 7, July 14, July 21 and July 28

N.U.R.T. on stage at the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre

  • Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the following dates:
  • July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 23

Sharpe, adjunct theater professor and N.U.R.T. director said, "Our free children's theater performances will include about 40 minutes of children's stories in rotation. The production is fun for the whole family, but is especially appropriate for children ages 3 to 12, and we ask that children are always accompanied by an adult."

According to Steven Braddock, director of NU Theatre, N.U.R.T. was previously known as A.R.T. when the NU actors performed outdoors at Artpark from the 1970s to1990s. The theater troupe has been in existence for 35 years, and has spent many summers performing throughout Western New York at area daycare centers, nursery schools, summer camps, YMCAs, nursing homes and other facilities.

Reservations and tickets are not required for the N.U.R.T. performances and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the Niagara University Theatre Box Office at 716-286-8685.

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