South Fork Performing Arts At Southampton Cultural Center Presenting Both "Frozen Jr." And "Freaky Friday" In December

Tamara Salkin, Theatre Education Director and South Fork Performing Arts (SFPA) Co-Founder, was extremely excited about the success of SFPA at the Southampton Cultural Center (SCC) as it is now entering year two. "We've done a lot in the past year!" she explained after successfully presenting three "black box" theater productions in year one. Salkin said, "Co-Founder Amanda Jones and I are so proud of the progress of the young actors."

This season she said they are planning six shows. She added, "The South Fork Performing Arts at the Southampton Cultural Center will first be presenting Disney's Frozen Jr. with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. Our production features 17 students who hail from the Springs to Hampton Bays in 1st through 7th grades. Performances are Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center."

Frozen Jr. will star Coral Borsack - Townsperson, Hidden Folk, Piper Borsack - Middle Anna, Sandra Borsack - Townsperson, Hidden Folk, Peyton Castro - Elsa. Then there are, Sadie White Chaleff - Sven, Patrick Conlon - Hans, Ally Cottrell - Young Elsa, Bishop Gabriel DiFrancesco - King Agnar, Oaken Kailey Eberhart - Middle Elsa, Pabbie Emma Hand - Young Anna, Elijah Jones - Kristoff. The large cast also includes Anya Oza - Queen Iduna, Alessa Picco - Bulda, Lilah Simmons - Townsperson, Hidden Folk Riley Simmons - Duke of Wessleton, Fairleigh Stewart - Olaf, Cali Wilson - Anna.

The production team for Frozen Jr. consists of Tamara Salkin - director/producer, Amanda Jones - musical director/producer, Jill Draycott - graphics along with Barbara Frerichs - costumes, Bill and Ann Stewart - costumes/props and Dane Dupuis - photography/set construction.

Genevieve Roeloffs, Amaia Astorr, Emily Glass, Frey Wood, Nora Conlon, Diana Nicoletti, Silas Jones, and Dakota Quackenbush. (Photo: Dane Dupuis)

Salkin will be busy because just two weeks later they will produce Freaky Friday, a new musical featuring the book by Bridget Carpenter and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. It will be presented by 11 South Fork Performing Arts students who hail from Springs to Greenport. This show is bound to warm even the coldest of hearts during the holiday season. Performances will be on Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center.

Again, Salkin expressed her pride of the whole Freaky Friday cast that will consist of Amaia Astorr - Danielle, Mrs. Meyers, Officer Sitz. Then there will be Katie Bigwood - Hannah, Grandma. Nora Conlon - Torrey, Savannah along with Emily Glass - Gretchen, Louis. Then there are Hope Hamilton - Katherine and Silas Jones - Adam, Pastor Bruno. The cast also includes Diana Nicoletti - Dr. Ehrin and Jonah Posner - Mike. Dakota Quackenbush will be playing Ellie, and Genevieve Roeloffs - Fletcher. Frey Wood will be playing Grandpa, Mr. Blumen, Senior O'Brien, Officer Kowalski.

The production team for Freaky Friday consist of Tamara Salkin as director, producer with Amanda Jones as musical director and producer. Stephanie Vertuchio is the choreographer and Jill Draycott is responsible for the Graphics. Dane Dupuis will take care of the photography and set construction.

"Both shows, in partnership with SCC, use black boxes theatre styles and techniques to showcase our talented student actors and allow the audience to use their imaginations to enter the world of the play," Salkin shared. "Actors learn play and song analysis, tech theatre skills, and receive acting and vocal coaching from experienced and qualified educators. Tickets can be purchased at www.southforkperformingarts.com, e-mail southforkperformingarts@gmail.com for info on performances and programs!"

Last year I went to the SCC to see and listen to Tamara Salkin's vision as she was launching this program. I sat and watched her starting off on this journey of bringing a high level of training, discipline. Now entering year two, her pride and enthusiasm no doubt create a most positive force these young actors will remember their whole lives.