PRESS RELEASE

January 19, 2010

Local arts organization sponsors gala concert to benefit Kenosha/Racine libraries

SouthEast Wisconsin Performing Arts (SEWPA) hosts their second annual gala performance, to benefit their scholarship programs and the library systems in Kenosha and Racine

Kenosha – January 18, 2010 – SouthEast Wisconsin Performing Arts (SEWPA) is pleased to host their second annual Gala Concert at Reuther Auditorium on Saturday, January 30^th at 7:00 p.m.  This year’s program features local and regional singers, participants of SEWPA’s Opera ala Carte program, Florentine Opera, Skylight Opera, The Studio of Classical Dance Arts, dancers from the Milwaukee Ballet, and many other performers.

“This gala will be an opportunity for the community to see and hear the classical arts available in our city as well as in the surrounding areas,” said Kathryn Peperkorn, Artistic Director.  “Audience members will be asked for donations to support the scholarship program of SEWPA as well as supporting the Kenosha and Racine Public Library, classical arts video collection.”

Last year’s gala concert celebrated the fifth anniversary of Opera ala Carte, a summer program run by SEWPA that brings opera to the Kenosha area by performing scenes with full set and costumes.

The gala concert this year will include selections from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, the children’s opera Green Eggs and Ham, The Fairy Queen, L’italiana in Algeri, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, and other opera favorites.

Local radio host Greg Berg will be the master of ceremonies for the concert and will also be performing.

Please join us as we celebrate beauty and the arts in SE Wisconsin and the young performers of tomorrow, and contribute toward our area libraries.

WHAT: SEWPA Second Annual Gala Concert

WHERE: Reuther Auditorium is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Rt. 32 (Sheridan Road) and 58th Street in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. The main entrance is on Sheridan Road.

WHEN: Saturday, January 30^th, at 7:00 p.m.

COST: Tickets are $5 for adults, and free for students and children under 18 or for seniors over 65.

HOW DO I ORDER TICKETS: Tickets may be reserved by calling 262-960-5971, emailing gala@sewpa.org, or online at sewpa.org.

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About the Other Companies Mentioned

Here are the web sites for some of the other organizations involved in this project:

http://www.kenosha.lib.wi.us/

http://www.racinelib.lib.wi.us/

http://www.classicaldancearts.com/

About SouthEast Wisconsin Performing Arts (SEWPA)

Southeast Wisconsin Performing Arts (SEWPA) is a non profit organization incorporated in the state of Wisconsin. We look forward to continuing to work with the many people who have made SEWPA and Opera ala Carte a success so far!

Artistic Director Kathryn Peperkorn founded the Opera Ala Carte Program in 2005 with her own studio of talented singers. The first year a small group of 6 students created an incredible show. It has since grown to over 75 students in 2007 and included a children’s choir. She envisioned a program that would serve South East Wisconsin’s youth through quality music education and performing arts that would please audiences with artistic excellence. Therefore in 2008, SEWPA (South East Wisconsin Performing Arts, Inc.) was developed and made into a nonprofit organization to foster the Fine Arts through education, audience outreach and performance. Offering opera, dance, choral and instrumental music, SEWPA gives young people (ages 5-25) the opportunity to take classes that will inspire and engage them, directed by some of the most talented professionals in the area. SEWPA provides a safe and encouraging environment that gives each young performer, not only the skills necessary to becoming an artist, but also to become confident young adults.

www.sewpa.org

Press Contact

Kathryn M. Peperkorn

Artistic Director

(262) 551-9081

July 23 & 24, 2010  for The Magic Flute and La Cenerentola

July 30 & 31, 2010 for Die Fledermaus and Carmen

Here is the audition form, and please let us know if you have any questions!

2010 Opera ala Carte Audition Form

PRESS RELEASE

November 21, 2009

SouthEast Wisconsin Performing Arts (SEWPA) announces the audition dates for the 2010 season

Kenosha – November 21, 2009

Auditions for principal roles are being held in Kenosha held on Jan 10th and 17th, 2010.

Chorus and secondary roles will be cast in the auditions held Feb. 27,28, March 1st, 2010.

Repertoire under consideration include Magic Flute, Die Fledermaus, La Cenerentola, and Carmen. If necessary repertoire may change based on auditions.

Performance dates are:

July 9&10 Magic Flute, and La Cenerentola

July 17&18 for Die Fledermaus, and Carmen

Rehearsals will begin June 7 for principals and June 14 for secondary roles and chorus.

Participants who would like to be in only the chorus will have rehearsal on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6-9, until the final 2 weeks, in which rehearsal time will be augmented. Schedules will be available at the time of auditions.

Tuition for the program is $400.

Full and partial scholarships are available based on talent (as displayed at audition), and need, as well as numerous work-study options which go toward partial scholarship. Information and applications for these scholarships will be available online as of Jan. 1, 2011.

Applications for auditions will be available online as of Dec. 15th 2009.

For questions, or to schedule an audition email: kpeperkorn@gmail.com, or call Kathryn Peperkorn, Artistic Director: 262-551-9081.

Press Contact

Kathryn M. Peperkorn

Artistic Director

(262) 551-9081

Kpeperkorn@gmail.com