Fendig Theatre for Children
  • Home
    • Contact
  • Programs
  • About
    • History
  • YouTube
  • News
  • Shop

Join us for Holiday Make & Take It Crafts: December 7, 10 & 11

12/2/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Join us December 7, 10 & 11th

Fendig Theatre for Children is happy to announce we have holiday activities for everyone to get in the holiday spirit. Different activities are available on each day for grades 1 - 12 and adults 19+. Scroll below to see each activity  for each age group & day. 

Cost to participate is $10 and you get to take your crafts home with you. Class will take place at 503 S. Melville St. in Rensselaer, IN. Class sizes are limited to 8 so sign up for your date & time today.  For any questions, please submit a contact form.

Sign up today!
Picture

1st & 2nd Graders

This activity will be 30 minutes. 
December 7: Snowman Stick Ornament
December 10: Christmas Wreath
December 11: 3 Craft Tag Ornaments
Sign up at the button to claim your spot for one day or sign up for all three!
Sign Up Here
Picture

3rd, 4th & 5th Graders

This activity will be 45 minutes. 
December 7: Santa Ornament
December 10: Tube Carolers
December 11: Melted Snowman Ornament
Sign up at the button to claim your spot for one day or all three!
Sign up today!
Picture

6th, 7th & 8th Graders

This activity will be an hour commitment. 
December 7: Paint Brush Reindeer ornament
December 10: Reindeer decoration
December 11: Wood Santa & Tree decoration
​Sign up at the button to claim your spot for one day or all three!
Sign Up Today!
Picture

High Schoolers & Adults

This activity will be an hour time commitment.  This activity will be available in different time slots for High schoolers grades 9 - 12 and adults 19+

December 7: Wooden Christmas Presents decoration
December 10: Reindeer decoration
​December 11: Wood Santa & Tree decoration
​
Sign up at the button to claim your spot for one day or all three!
We can't wait to get in the holiday spirit with you. Share with your friends & sign up before the time slots are gone!
Sign up today!
0 Comments

How to Design a Costume

10/15/2021

0 Comments

 

How to Design a Costume

In anything you create the process is as simple as thinking of an idea and creating it, right? 
I guess so, but there are countless other things that go through your mind when creating a piece of art, whether that’s a costume or a piece of scenery that ends up on stage. 
When designing a costume for a show there are initial things to consider.  
  • What time period are we in?
  • What are gender specific pieces of clothing and design in that time period?
  • As a creative mind, are we going to stick to the time period and roles or are we going to make it a little more broad to our cast?
  • What is our budget to create the costumes?

How to do research

​Doing research on those questions can be as easy as googling the time period of the show or character that you are creating. 

For example’s purpose, let’s use Hello Dolly! This show takes place in 1890.  
We simply google “1890 attire” or 1890s clothing to get an idea of what we are looking for. Another option is to search Pinterest with similar search terms. 
Click here to view the search: 1890s costumes on Pinterest. 

Start a google document or a Pinterest board to save photos that are inspiring to you for your costume idea. Having reference images or what inspires you will help you start drafting your costume design. 
Picture

Make a Draft

For a full musical production, the designer takes the cast of characters and does this same process for every single character. So in Hello Dolly! the designer would go down the list from Dolly, Irene Malloy, Minnie Fay, Vandergelder, Barnaby, Cornelius all the way to characters that are equally as important to creating the story like the waiters, townspeople, parade members and vaudeville girls. ​
Picture
That’s a lot of people to find reference photos and choose colors for! The designer does this process and then works with the costumers to discuss fabric choices, styling and accessories that are needed to complete the whole look.
Picture

Your Costume Tells a Story

While you are wearing the costume in the show, the costume serves a bigger purpose in creating the story on stage. Even though you might not like the color red, maybe the designer chose you to wear the red dress because in that scene you are helping convey emotions such as confidence and bravery? Anything that helps the audience picture the world you are living in and feel what you are feeling on stage is an important part of the art you are performing. 
Picture
For your costume another way to complete a draft may be as simple as sketching a draft of what you are visualizing in your mind down on a piece of paper. Even if you aren’t the best artist, drawing and sketching what you are visualizing and talking it through with someone can help your idea come to life. ​

How Do I Make My Costume?

Finding materials like old clothes that can be repurposed or even visiting a thrift store to buy used items to make your idea come to life!

Sewing skills aren’t a common skill to learn anymore, so definitely go to Youtube for the sewing basics. There are some costumes that you can even put together without getting crazy with those skills. If you’d like to learn how to sew, send us a message so we can put together some resources for you. 


Try it yourself by designing your own costume. 
  1. Pick your character
  2. Do your research
  3. Draft
  4. Assemble the materials to make it happen
  5. Rock your costume! Don't forget to take a photo and watch for our photo submission for our Halloween costume contest the last week of October. 

Still not sure where to start?
Click the button below to download a worksheet to start designing your costume using the process we just discussed.
Download a free, design worksheet today!
Check back the last week of October to submit your photo of your costume in time for our contest.

Prizes will be awarded to
creative entries, best design and best character! You don’t have to have a reason to get creating, though! 

For more questions or to share your process, feel free to contact us. 
Follow us on Facebook @fendigtheatre and Instagram @fendig.cst.

0 Comments

Enter Our Costume Contest

10/14/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Fendig is hosting a costume contest!

There will be prizes for creative entries, best design and best character. The last week of October there will be a photo-entry contest for your completed costume. We have prepped things to consider when designing your costume for Halloween!

So how do I create a costume?

There are plenty of things to think about when designing a costume for your Halloween outfit or even for every part in a musical production. Yes, even the ensemble’s costumes need to be designed and thought out.  Think of your costume as a piece of your character that helps bring the story to life.
Ask yourself these questions when considering your costume for Halloween based on things you enjoy. 
  • Who are you going to be? 
  • What world does your character live in? 
  • What story are you trying to tell?

How can I use what I have to create something I enjoy?
Think about clothes that you don’t wear anymore or consider visiting a thrift store to pick up pieces that can be a part of your costume. 

Click the button to download a free, worksheet to get designing and start the process of creating a costume for Halloween.

Download your Costume Worksheet
Stay tuned on social media channels for some insider looks at the best of costumes for Fendig and the process behind creating them. Photo submissions will open the last week of October, so get creating! We would love to feature your Halloween creation! 
Picture
0 Comments

About our Shows

6/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Save the date July 8 -11th for outdoor performances of Xanadu, JR.  and Disney's Moana, JR. Fendig Theatre for Children chose to rehearse & perform two productions this summer to help keep participant groups small & serve our mission of providing creative performing arts opportunities to children in our community. 

Some may recognize these titles, but for others they might be something new. Fendig is thrilled to provide these performance & education opportunities to our community and bring the entertainment to you. Read more about each show below. 
Picture
A hilarious musical adventure about following your dreams in the face of obstacles, Xanadu JR. follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek Muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980.  Kira is on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time... the first ROLLER DISCO! (Remember, it's 1980). But when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.  

Xanadu JR. features a charmingly witty book by Douglas Carter Beane and great pop music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.  The student version of the show is based on the Tony nominated Broadway musical, which was based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film with a screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel, which in turn, was inspired by the 1947 film “Down to Earth.”


Xanadu JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by
Music Theatre International, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Script, music and all other material © 2010 iTheatrics Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks.
Listen & Read More about Xanadu JR.
Picture
See the line where the sky meets the sea? You’ll love this thrilling and heartwarming stage adaptation of the coming-of-age tale of Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. She and the demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as she learns to harness the power that lies within. Adapted for young performers, this musical includes favorite songs by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, such as “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.” With its empowering message of bravery, Moana JR. is sure to awaken your inner hero!

Moana is a celebration of the rich stories of Oceania and is based on the beliefs and cultures of real people. In creating the original film, the producers at Disney Animation formed an Oceanic Trust. This group of anthropologists, cultural practitioners, historians, linguists, and choreographers from islands including Samoa, Tahiti, Mo’orea, and Fiji was integral in the creation of the film, providing feedback and notes on character design, song lyrics, and the depiction of culture onscreen. This respect and careful attention to detail was carried forward in the creation of Moana JR. for the stage.  Materials for the show include information, research, and best practices for respectfully celebrating Oceanic culture. 

Disney’s Moana JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com
Listen & Read More about Disney's Moana, JR.
Virtual opportunities, events and ticket information will be posted soon! Be sure to stay up to date on social media or subscribe to our newsletter for updates. 
0 Comments

Technical Theatre Opportunities

2/8/2021

0 Comments

 
One of the most common questions we get from participants is "what if I don't want to be on stage?" While we always encourage participants to try their hand at being on stage & singing and dancing with the rest of the cast, there are plenty of other roles & opportunities in the theatre world to make a show come to life. 

We put together this blog post that highlights our recent Fendig Theatre Experience videos about other roles that are technical theatre opportunities. Watch the videos below to learn about stage managers, standbys, swings, sound designers, light designers, costume designers, scenic design, music directors, choreographers & more. 

What roles do you wish you knew more about? Tell us in the comments below. 
0 Comments

Thank You to Our Donors!

7/14/2020

0 Comments

 
We would like to thank the Jasper Newton Foundation and Jasper County REMC Operation Roundup for their grants. In addition, we would like to thank Alliance Bank and the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana for their donations. It is because of these organizations that we were able to continue our community outreach through theatre. 
0 Comments

Ending the Fendig Theatre Experience

7/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Thank you to all who have participated in the Fendig Theatre Experience this summer! We have enjoyed virtually connecting with you and continuing to reach our community through theatre. To continue to view episodes from the Fendig Theatre Experience, visit our YouTube Channel: Fendig Theatre. 
0 Comments

Dance Lessons and Acting Workshops!

7/9/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Check out our Shop tab to learn more information about dance lessons and acting workshops. Sign up to be the first to know when they are available!
Dance Lessons
Acting Workshops
0 Comments

Now Offering Vocal Lessons!

7/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Click on the 'Shop' tab to purchase your vocal lesson!
Purchase a Lesson
0 Comments

Get Your Fendig Theatre Experience T-Shirt!

7/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Visit our Shop page to purchase your Fendig Theatre Experience T-Shirt!
0 Comments
<<Previous
    COVID Statement

    About Fendig:

    Fendig Summer Theater is a non-profit organization 501 (c)(3) for the advancement of theatre development in children.

    Archives:

    December 2021
    October 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    May 2014
    May 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    RSS Feed

Fendig Theatre for Children is a nonprofit, 501 (3)(c), education organization. We help children discover themselves, build confidence and connect with their community through creative/performing arts activities.

​Also known as Ralph & Lilian Fendig Summer Theatre for Children, Inc.


  • Home
    • Contact
  • Programs
  • About
    • History
  • YouTube
  • News
  • Shop