Sunday, November 27, 2016

Amazing Grace Conservatory Goodbye Birdie! - Musical

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 Amazing Grace Conservatory goodbye Birdie! - Musical

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
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The Amazing Grace Conservatory’s Musical

 “Goodbye Birdie!” Is A Smash Success!


       The Amazing Grace Conservatory presented their annual year end musical to conclude their spring, summer and fall training sessions. This year’s musical titled “Goodbye Birdie!” was a loving tribute to the music of the late artist Prince. The production included songs, dance routines, a video tribute to Prince and superb acting. The Musical was directed by Kimberly Bailey with Andrae Alexander serving as the musical director. Additional staff included Jahbrielle Henning, assistant director; Sha’Leah Stubblefied and Andrae Alexander, additional vocal arrangements. The show was beautifully choreographed by Andre Kinney, Chris Smith, Cassie Crump and Alfred Jackson. Stage lighting was handled by Moira MacDonald and Leslie Chew created the sound. Mylette Nora designed the costumes and Sheila Dorn did the make-up and hair design. Robertson Productions were the videographers for the event. The show was very professionally run and was a completely delightful experience for the sold out audience which rewarded it with a rousting standing ovation.
JeVonne Davis recipient of The 2016 TLC Scholarship
   The affair was held at the elegant Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Some of the principal cast members included Selena Thurmond as (Rosie Alvarez); Caleb McGee as (Conrad Birdie); Keanye Posey as (Kim MacAfee) and Blacke Brewer as (Albert Peterson) and JeVonne Davis as (Mr. Harry MacAfee) who was also the night's recipient of The 2016 TLC Scholarship named after AGC's late co-founder Mr. Tracy Lamar Coley.

    
The many fine stage musicals produced by AGC
The Amazing Grace Conservatory
was founded in 1996 by the late Mr. Tracy Lamar Coley and Mrs. Wendy Raquel Robinson affectionately called Ms. Wendy. out of love and concern for inner city youth and a desire to teach them the performing arts in an environment that is nurturing for their personal, artistic and professional growth. Some 500 students have come through the doors of AGC which offers the TLC college scholarship named after the late co-founder. Past recipients have attended Yale, Julliard, NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, Howard University, DePaul, Harvard and Carnegie Mellon.
  
AGC Co-Founder Mrs. Wendy Raquel Robinson
       When asked where do all of the students come from? Co-founder  Robinson responds, “They come from every walk of life. A lot of them are now alumni, their children, word of mouth; we really don’t do a lot of advertising. But it’s a program that pretty much sustains itself.” If a person wants to become part of this magnificent program what are the requirements? Robinson explains, “Basically having an open heart and an open mind and be ready to come and work and have a wonderful work ethic. We do have an interview process but it’s not to intimidate anybody but it’s just to make sure it’s something that the child wants and not the parents.”  
Ms. Wendy and the cast of Goodbye Birdie!
      What kind of children are they looking for? Robinson says, “Just those that are dedicated to the craft. Like the young lady said when she first came, she didn’t want to be at AGC but she was open to the possibility and now she is one of the most phenomenal students that we have, they just have to be open to the possibility.” Indeed Robinson has had many students come through her and foresees many more to come.  

Yummy Birdie cake that was devoured at the after receptton

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