London and Maddie Are Ready to Be Summer Stars at Annie's Playhouse in Far Hills, New Jersey

Last year, London and Maddie had a great time at Annie's Playhouse Summer Stars summer camp in Far Hills, New Jersey (actually, while Annie's Playhouse "headquarters" is located in Far Hills, the camp sessions are held at the Presbyterian Church in Bernardsville, New Jersey). Last year, my girls were among the youngest Summer Stars, performing favorites like "We Go Together" from Grease and "We're All In This Together" from High School Musical along with their groups in the summer show.

This year, the girls are starting Annie's Playhouse Summer Stars camp next Monday, July 14th, and I'm really looking forward to another terrific performance on Friday, August 1st. We'll keep you posted!

In addition to Summer Stars, Annie's Playhouse offers classes in Musical Theatre, Dance/Acting, and "Young Starlets." Fall 2008 classes include:

• MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP (separate classes for ages 8-12 and 13+): This specialized performance class will expand skills in music, movement and performance. Singers, actors and dancers will all benefit from the techniques studied here. Students will work with scripted material, providing them with the opportunity to practice and strengthen presentation techniques.
• MUSICAL THEATRE JR. (ages 5-7): The first in Annie's series of musical theatre classes. Students will learn songs, dance, and expand their comfort with performing.
• MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE (all ages?): Get dance skills you need to succeed with comprehensive curriculum in Jazz, Tap and Ballet for the musical stage. One class for all three, or individual Jazz, Tap and Ballet dancing classes available.
• HIP HOP (separate classes for 5-7 and 8-12): This fun-filled class opens the stage door to street dance. This class is for everyone interested in energy driven dancing.
• ACTING: The perfect class to explore and understand the foundations of acting for the stage. Students will be exposed to exercises, monologues and scene work.
• YOUNG STARLETS: Pre-Musical Theatre (ages 3-5), Sing and Play (ages 3-5), Act I (ages 3-5), and Pre-Ballet/Tap (ages 2+)

Annie’s Playhouse is filled with young, hip, up-and-coming artists and working theater professionals who have the cutting edge needed to prepare your child for the future world of musical theater. Annie’s Playhouse offers a widely diverse curriculum of acting, singing, dance, and a variety of musical theater workshops and combo classes as well as private study in voice and instruments. I may look into piano lessons for London and Maddie in September....Santa brought the girls a keyboard for Christmas 2006, and they really enjoy playing simple tunes, but our in-home instructor quit after only two or three lessons because we "took too many vacations!"

Annie's Playhouse also offers extraordinary birthday parties; however they are only for registered Playhouse students.

Annie's Playhouse is owned and operated by Annie Forgione. Annie has over 13 years of professional performance experience. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida and holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Annie is an accomplished performer and an active member of Actors Equity Association. Recently she performed as a Disney princess in various shows in Orlando, Florida. Her favorite roles include Rose Petal in My Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Walt Disney World. Annie developed the interactive show Cinderella’s Princess Court with Walt Disney Entertainment, currently playing in New York City. Annie has been a Broadway Kid since age 10 and has performed in numerous benefits in NYC including Friends of Center Stage at the Hudson Theatre alongside the very popular Kristen Chenoweth. Annie has also provided numerous commercial voice-overs for companies such as Coca-Cola, Metlife, and General Motors. As a certified teacher Annie taught Theatre at Bernards High School and directed productions “I Remember Mama” and the unforgettable “Wizard of Oz.”