Steven Weisz has been working with teens for over fifteen years; his newest venture proposes to showcase their talents in one of the largest arts festivals in the United States - the Philly Fringe & Live Arts Festival.
(PRWEB) August 19, 2004 -- It is an early Sunday morning as Steve Weisz leaves his office in Drexel Hill to meet with a select group of twelve teens for a rehearsal at Oxford Valley Mall, a major supporter of his programs for the past twelve years. There is a mixture of nervousness and excitement as in less than three weeks this group will be presenting Philadelphia audiences with an original dance work, Illuminescence, completely choreographed and developed by these multi-talented young adults. This will be the youngest group of performers in this years Fringe Festival.
Weisz has been running programs for teenagers at Springfield Mall, Oxford Valley Mall, Montgomery Mall, and Lehigh Valley Mall. The Teen Board programs serve as an opportunity for teens to participate in fashion shows, special events and community service projects. More than that, it has demonstrated the positive contributions that teens can make to their communities. Over the last few years, Weisz has encountered teens with talents that he felt needed be fostered and challenged at an even greater level.
The teens in our Teen Board Programs come from a diverse background of talents," he said. And yet, there was a piece missing – one in which Music & Motion has been created to fill this gap." Formed as a non-profit corporation, owned and run by the teens themselves, Music & Motion Dance Productions has become a staging ground for pre-professional dancers, vocalists, fashion/costume designers, theater technicians, as well as those with an interest in marketing, finance and business. Even former Teen Board members, many now in college or out in the working world, have come back to the area to help get this project underway and provide mentoring.
Angela Paparone, a former Oxford Valley Mall member and currently finishing her MBA at Fordham College, has been coming back to the mall on weekends during the summer to help choreograph this dance group and lend her experience from years of training and study under dance instructors from the Bolshoi Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Princton Ballet, and several Broadway productions. According to Paparone "it was an opportunity to give back to a program which had fostered my own self-confidence and sense of values".
Tiffany Layport, now a sophmore at Albright University and former Teen Board member, has also returned to help out with this latest project. She will actually be joining the group on the bill for opening night lending her talents, experience and support. "When Steve asked me to help with this project, there was just no way to refuse - the program had given me so much over the years."
In addition to former Teen Board members, there has been an outpouring of support from professionals in the field as well. Joe Platia, who has conducted workshops for the Teen Boards, has volunteered his time providing help with makeup, photography and even costume design. Robert "Peanutbutter" Woodward a local area sculptor has been custom designing a light sculpture, which will be the foundational element for many of the dance pieces to be performed. Flash Rosenberg, photo-humorist and now headed for off-Broadway in New York City and her brother, Ken, are taking a break from their busy schedule to return to Philadelphia to be on the bill with Music & Motion in a series of separate vignettes.
Weisz, who has been opening doors for teens in helping them seek to meet their dreams and aspirations, is also a Psychologist and adjunct faculty member at Widener University; he runs his own internet company, Delaware Valley Online; and is CEO of Rainbow Promotions, a major special events and entertainment agency. Modest about his own accomplishments, he would much rather discuss the achievements of the teens he works with.
Mandy Hartzell, a senior dancer perhaps summed it up best, "Steve treats us as adults that have something positive to contribute. More than that he believes in each of us and in so doing makes us believe in ourselves. After that anything is possible!"
You can both support and see the accomplishments of this young talented group at the Music & Motion Production of Illuminescence on September 7th, 8th and 14th at the International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets are $15 with a discount for students and seniors. For tickets and information about the Philadelphia Fringe Festival call 215-413-1318 or visit their web site at www.pafringe.org To learn more about Music & Motion Dance Productions and their upcoming performance, go to www.music-and-motion.com
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