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Raising The Curtain Foundation

Raising The Curtain Foundation empowers individuals through the arts, providing access to creative opportunities that inspire personal growth and community connection. We believe in the transformative power of artistic expression.

Join us Tuesday, October 13, for a special homecoming as former Newhall Elementary teacher Kerry Dashnaw returns to the Newhall Family Theatre to share a remarkable chapter of her life. Before her career in education, Kerry spent 14 years as a Catholic nun. In Yearning to Be Free, co-written with her husband, Peter, she shares her search for a closer relationship with God, the realities of convent life, and her journey toward renewed purpose with professional help. Her story reflects her own experience and personal path to reinvention. Kerry&rsquo;s teaching career spanned more than 36 years, including 29 at Newhall Elementary, where she nurtured students&rsquo; creativity, imagination, and love of reading. Her peers twice named her Teacher of the Year. During the evening, Kerry will read from Yearning to Be Free, answer audience questions, and introduce The Book Bridge, a story about a mother who sends her young daughter stories from prison&mdash;creating a bridge of hope, healing, and enduring love. Both books will be available for purchase and signing. Stay after the program for light refreshments and conversation. Tuesday, October 13 Doors open at 6 p.m. | Program begins at 6:30 p.m.Newhall Family Theatre 24607 Walnut Street, Newhall Parking is available on the street and in the school&rsquo;s parking lot. Tickets: $15 Proceeds benefit Raising the Curtain Foundation and its mission to enrich our community through performing arts education, inclusive programming, and historic preservation.

An Evening with Kerry Dashnaw: Yearning to Be Free

Beyond the Curtain: A Theatre Exploration Experience Saturday, November 7 Step behind the scenes and discover the real magic of theatre.Beyond the Curtain: A Theatre Exploration Experience is a hands-on, high-energy workshop that gives students an inspiring window into the craft of theatre. Participants rotate through interactive stations led by working artists and technicians, exploring the tools, teamwork, and creativity that bring every performance to life. $5 per student. Whether your student dreams of the spotlight or loves building, designing, tinkering, and problem-solving behind the scenes, this experience is designed to spark confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging in the arts. What students will exploreStudents will rotate through six interactive stations, each led by a theatre artist or technician. Station themes include:<ol fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Set Design &mdash; Explore how environments are built for storytelling, from sketches and models to textures, props, and stage pictures.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lighting Design &mdash; Learn how light creates mood, focus, and magic, and try simple lighting choices that transform a scene.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sound Design &mdash; Discover how sound cues, music, and effects shape our experience, and experiment with simple sound effects and storytelling audio.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Directing &mdash; Step into the director&#39;s role &mdash; guiding a moment, making choices, and learning how directors collaborate with actors and designers.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Costuming &mdash; See how costumes help build character and time/place, and explore quick, creative costume decisions that change a story fast.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Staging &mdash; Get oriented to the theatre space and learn stage directions (upstage/downstage, stage left/right), then practice simple blocking patterns that bring scenes to life.</li></ol>Friendly reminder: children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the full event. This is not a drop-off workshop, so please plan to stay with your child while they rotate through stations and explore the behind-the-scenes magic of theatre. Accessibility + InclusionWe&#39;re committed to a welcoming experience for all students. A quiet corner will be available for anyone who needs a calm reset during the morning. If you have accommodation needs, please contact us in advance so we can support your student. Why it mattersBeyond the Curtain is hosted by Raising the Curtain Foundation (RTCF) to expand access to arts education, nurture creative confidence, and celebrate the backstage craft that makes theatre possible. This is a student-focused workshop. If you have a specific support need for your student, please reach out in advance. Is this only for kids who already do theatre? Not at all. This is perfect for beginners and curious creatives &mdash; no prior experience needed. What&#39;s the cost? There&#39;s a $5 per-student fee to help cover workshop costs. Want to help us keep it accessible? RTCF believes every student should have the chance to explore theatre, no matter their circumstances. Your support helps cover fees for students who need it, fund future workshops, and keep programs like this going year after year. If you&#39;re able, consider donating to the Raising the Curtain Foundation. It goes a long way.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.raisingthecurtainfoundation.org/support-us" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.raisingthecurtainfoundation.org/support-us</a>&nbsp;

Raising The Curtain Foundation

Raising The Curtain Foundation

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An Evening with Kerry Dashnaw: Yearning to Be Free

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Beyond the Curtain: A Theatre Exploration Experience

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