News & Links
NEWS
February 2012
JOB OPENING
Children's Theatre Teaching Artist/Administrator
Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre is searching for a teacher who can also administer the theatre's classes, after school programs and camps. In its 33rd year, MVCCT produces three plays annually, directed by professionals and featuring children ages 8-18 in all roles. Additionally, a full 7 week summer camp and one week spring break camp are offered as well as after school programs in approximately 10 schools.
This is an ideal position for an experienced teacher of children's theatre who is looking for a solid part time position with compensation dependent upon how much teaching is taken on. The teaching portion of the position offers $30-$35 per hour while the administrative work is compensated at $15 per hour. In the past few years, the coordinator made between $8,000 and $10,000 annually.
Responsibilities outside of teaching include capturing teaching hours and submitting for payroll, identifying teaching needs and interviewing candidates, coordinating after school programs with PTA leaders at each of the approximately 10 schools, coordinating an outreach program at three area elementary schools and arranging the culminating performance, onsite teaching leader at summer camp, troubleshooting during summer camp, fostering communication between teachers and parents, and more!
Requirements include a degree in theatre, experience in teaching and directing children's theatre and administrative experience. Send resumes and cover letter to apply for this position to mvccteducation@verizon.net. Begin immediately. Visit www.MVCCT.org to learn more.
July 2011
ELIZABETH HERBST WINS $1,000 MVCCT SCHOLARSHIP
Elizabeth Herbst has been awarded the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre (MVCCT) 2011 college scholarship. Elizabeth is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall, majoring in biochemistry. Elizabeth has been involved in theatre for many years as a lighting technician, assistant stage manager, set builder and painter. In addition to MVCCT, she has volunteered and performed at the Little Theatre of Alexandria and Aldersgate Church Community Theater.
Elizabeth is also an accomplished musician, has played the violin since age 5, and was a member of various orchestras and ensembles at Thomas Jefferson High School. She was on the staff and was an award-winning contributor to Threshold: A Magazine for the Arts and Sciences at Thomas Jefferson and has received academic awards and honors including: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Academic Letters; National Merit Scholarship Finalist; Treasurer, Chinese National Honor Society; a member of the National Honor Society and 2011 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Science Fair – 2nd Place in Animal Science Division. During the summer preceding high school, Elizabeth volunteered with The Jeremiah Project Christian service program, building, repairing, cleaning, and repainting the homes of disadvantaged families.
At MVCCT, she performed in Once Upon a Mattress (2005), Anne of Green Gables (2004), Velveteen Rabbit (2003), and The Hobbit (2002) and worked on technical aspects of Sweeney Todd (2007), Seussical (2006), A Murder is Announced (2006), Treasure Island (2005), and Honk! (2004).
Elizabeth is the fifth recipient of MVCCT’s $1,000 scholarship award. Past recipients are Daniel Scalph, Emily Conron, Ilene Gillispie and Rachel Lear.
Elizabeth is pictured in the front row between her mother and father Mark and Bobbie Herbst along with the Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre Board of Directors who presented the award to her this week. Front row: Mark, Elizabeth and Bobbie Herbst and Cindy Langan: Back Row: Suzy Coffey, Gisele Gray, Laura Marshall, Sharon Roberts, Cathy Conron, Rachel Alberts, Joe Carbone, Pam Packar and Ellen Woods.
November 2010
Thanks to all who donated items for the MVCCT annual Silent Auction and to those who bid on and purchased items. The funds raised help support need-based scholarships for camps, after school programs and productions. Thanks!
Business Donor
3D Jewelry Design/Dorothy Nelson
Bitter Sweet
Dandy Restaurant Cruise Ships, Nina Wilson, Pres.
Five Guys Inc.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Imagination Stage
Johnny Rockets - Shirlington Village/Kevin Ryder
Lavender Moon
London Bob
Little Theater of Alexandria
Monday's Child
Mount Vernon Ladies Assoc. of the Union
Pacer's
Paper Source
Potomac Riverboat Company
Ten Thousand Villages
The Red Fox inn
The Spice & Tea Exchange
Today's Cargo
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Signature Theatre
Sports Therapy International
Synetic Theater
Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House
Why Not?
Individual Donors
Brown Family
Carbone Family
Coffey Family
Conron Family
Drea Carbone-Kubaki
Erin White
Gisele Gray
Howell Family
Kolo Family
Langan Family
Long Family
Marcus Family
Mary Anne Burke
Maria Lewan
Toni Johnson
Walker Family
Watkins Family
June, 2010
Daniel Scalph wins the 2010 MVCCT $1,000 college scholarship, pictured center with the MVCCT board and his mother, Melissa Scalph.
April, 2010
Mount Vernon Gazette article on Peter Pan and MVCCT 30th Anniversary. Download here.
March, 2010
Applications Sought for $1,000 College Scholarship
MVCCT is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior who can demonstrate through an essay how his or her theater experiences at MVCCT have influenced his or her upcoming college careers. See the application for more information. Applications are due April 30, 2010.
November, 2009
When Shirley Jones got word that Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre cast from The Music Man was going to be in the audience for her November 27 performance with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, she graciously invited them to meet with her after the show. Ms. Jones and the NSO were performing The Music of The Music Man along with her son Patrick Cassidy, Broadway's Mary Poppins' star Rebecca Luker and the City Choir of Washington.
Over 50 MVCCT cast members and families enjoyed a shortened performance of The Music Man with Ms. Jones playing the part of Mrs. Paroo, Mr. Cassidy as salesman Harold Hill and Luker as librarian and piano teacher Marion Paroo (the role Ms. Jones played alongside Robert Preston in the classic 1962 film version). Afterwards Ms. Jones met with a long line of fans waiting for autographs before meeting MVCCT's cast and posing for pictures.
June, 2009
MVCCT Announces $1,000 Scholarship Recipient: Emily Conron
Emily Conron is a senior at Bishop Ireton High School, where she has participated in a variety of activities for the past four years, including Student Government, Varsity Cross Country and Track, Campus Ministry Squad, Cardinals for the Cure, and BI Ambassadors. She served as Student Body President this year and co-founded the Habitat for Humanity Club to raise money for the construction of low-income housing in our area, and also appeared on NBC-4 as a member of Bishop Ireton's It's Academic team. Her appearance in Godspell, Bishop Ireton's spring 2009 musical, was her first stage appearance since MVCCT's Anne of Green Gables. She loved every minute of the show, in which she sang the solo in "Day By Day," and credits MVCCT with giving her the courage to audition! Outside of school, she enjoys singing with Cornerstone, Good Shepherd Catholic Church's contemporary choir. She will be attending the University of Notre Dame this fall and plans to study government or history with a pre-law focus.
Emily Conron is pictured second from left with her parents, Pat and Cathy Conron at her side. Margaret Mary Howell, MVCCT Board President, is pictured center with flowered dress, surrounded by MVCCT Board Members.
May, 2009
MVCCT After School Outreach Program Final Performances May 4 at Woodlawn Elementary School
April, 2009
Author of "The Adventures of Dr. Dolittle" attends MVCCT Performance
Here's what he sent MVCCCT afterwards:
Dear Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre,
I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I was to visit your production of "The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle". This was actually the first time I've visited a production even though "Dolittle" has been done all over the country and in New Zealand. It was a beautiful production and far exceeded my expectations. As you would imagine, I've seen a good bit of theatre for youth, and they aren't all at the same level as yours. Your production was the reason I began writing. Having three children who were interested in theatre, I was naturally involved. Almost all of the theatre available was of such a simple nature as to be patronizing. I knew that the young people would rise to the challenge of a piece like "Dolittle". It's a ton of work as you know, but I believe that the rewards of accomplishment for both the young people and the adults involved is worth the time and effort.
All of you shined. The production was tight, and beautifully presented, and the actors were filled with joy and enthusiasm. As a playwright, I can't ask for more and I'm sure that Mr. Lofting is as pleased as I am.
We're all about quantifiable value and it's sometimes hard to see it in theatre other than the evident joy on the children's faces. There was always reason to support theatre, but now in the "Information Age" even more so. The skills and confidence that the young people gain upon that stage will remain with them throughout their lives— adding at the very least, their being able to see that same joy on their children's faces when the next generation takes their bows.
All the best,
Elliott B. Baker
April, 2008
MVCCT After School Outreach Program Final Performances May 5 at Woodlawn Elementary School
March, 2008
Charlotte's Web to Be Performed (PDF)
February, 2008
MVCCT Announces $1,000 Scholarship for Graduating High School Senior (PDF)
November, 2007
MVCCT After School Outreach Program Culminates in Final Performance at Woodlawn Elementary School (PDF)
