PORTSMOUTH—
Arts In Reach (AIR) an innovative performance and visual arts organization for teenage women, presented AIR Divas at the MIC at Garrison Players, Rollinsford, on Friday, March 2. Nineteen AIR teens spent their spring vacation learning songs and choreography, which they performed in a final showcase after less than a week of planning and practice.
The AIR Divas at the MIC program, which hosted young women, ages 13-18 from Rockingham and Strafford Counties, was directed by Tony Award-winning Broadway star, Susan Lamontagne. Lamontagne has toured the US and Europe with numerous productions and has worked with the teens at AIR for five years running. “We were thrilled to have Susan return once again to run this exciting program. Her experience and enthusiasm are second to none, the girls always love their time with her,” says AIR Program Director, Shannon Marshall.
Family and friends who attended the showcase enjoyed music that celebrated women, part of AIR’s year-long theme, “The Mosaic Woman.” With only four days of practice due to the Thursday, March 1, snow storm, teens covered tunes that ranged from Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” to “I’m A Woman” from the musical “Smokey Joe’s Café.”
“It was amazing to see the confidence and hear the voices that teens developed in less than a week,” said AIR Executive Director, Virginia Skevington. “Girls hit their notes and choreography and had a great time doing it in front of family, friends and AIR supporters.”
For more information about upcoming program enrollment, or to volunteer with AIR, please call Virginia Skevington of Arts In Reach (AIR) at 603-433-4278 or visit www.artsinreach.org.
Photo Caption: AIR teens pose for a group shot with show director and AIR Divas at the MIC teacher, Susan Lamontagne, former Broadway performer. (Photo courtesy of Sean Smith)
