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Nevada Humanities 2011 Young Chautauqua - 12-28-2010
RENO, Nev. – Nevada Humanities’ 2011 Young Chautauqua season begins Sunday, January 9, 2011, with a free “Introduction to Young Chautauqua” program, which takes place at the Downtown Reno Library auditorium, 301 S. Center St., Reno, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Those wanting to enroll in the 2011 Young Chautauqua season, or any young people and parents who would like to know more about Young Chautauqua, are encouraged to attend. The January 9 information session will offer performances from seasoned Young Chautauquans, along with a discussion and brief film about what it’s like to be a Young Chautauquan and participate in the Young Chautauqua workshop-based program. Young people will have an opportunity to meet and chat with Young Chautauquans, and parents will be able to meet the program’s coordinators and adult volunteers. Young Chautauqua enrollment is open now, and the program is free and open to all northern Nevada youth.Young Chautauqua is a nationally recognized, award-winning afterschool program in which youth ages eight to 18 learn how to research historic figures and develop original dramatic Chautauqua presentations. Each year approximately 50 young people from around northern Nevada come together to participate in the six month, workshop-based program.
These young scholars commit to an intense regimen of scholarship, research, rehearsal, and performance. Young Chautauquans choose their character in January and spend more than five months reading biographies, learning stories, and rehearsing their character with other Young Chautauquans at bi-monthly workshops organized around an annual theme. The 2011 workshop theme is “Failure and Success.” Dress rehearsals occur in early June, at which time the young scholar presents a polished, five-minute performance in costume before the group. Young Chautauquans also make community presentations, culminating in performances at the June Nevada Humanities Chautauqua festival.
Young people who participate in the program learn how to conduct research, and simultaneously gain valuable life skills including confidence, self-discipline, and leadership. Young Chautauqua workshops are held in the Extended Studies Building on the UNR campus, 1041 N. Virginia St., Reno. The first workshop of the 2011 season will be held Thursday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. This is a free program and open to all youth ages eight to 18 in the northern Nevada area.
Adult Young Chautauqua volunteers are needed as well. Adults may participate by being group leaders, assisting young scholars with research and performance techniques, and coordinating performance opportunities for program participants.
Nevada Humanities’ Young Chautauqua program was the first of its kind in the country, and has been replicated throughout the U.S. Nevada Humanities received a Coming Up Taller Award from the President's Commission on the Arts and Humanities for developing Young Chautauqua. This program is made possible with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and individuals and businesses that care deeply about creative youth education in northern Nevada. For more information, contact Nevada Humanities at 775-784-6587, or visit nevadahumanities.org.
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