Youtheatre Series //Michael Harms Theater Festival //Syracuse Youth Jazz Festival //Home As part of its overall community programming, the Cultural Resources Council endeavors to identify, encourage, promote and extend the creative talents of young people.

Youtheatre School Day Series

The goal of the Council's Youththeatre Series is to provide elementary and secondary students from inner city, suburban and rural school districts the opportunity to experience high quality, professional children's theatre at an affordable price.  The Council's Youththeatre Series has been serving the seven county (Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison, Oswego, Cortland, Jefferson and Lewis) Central New York region and beyond for more than 30 years.  Since its inception more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents have attended a diverse range of productions at the Civic Center Theatres in downtown Syracuse.  The 2007-2008 season promises educational and entertaining performances for audiences of all ages!  All performances are open to the public. One more performance left for the 2007-2008 season! Oh! That Low Bridge Songs & Stories from the Erie Canal May 13, 2008 Click HERE for Oh! That Low Bridge

Michael Harms Theater Festival

The Michael Harms Theater Festival seeks to foster greater interest in theater work by students and teachers in secondary schools. The program has gained wide recognition as a theater experience of high educational value and fun. The festival provides a rare opportunity for students and teachers to display their outstanding acting and technical achievement in theatre and promise. Thanks to all who attended and participated in this year's Michael Harms Theater Festival on March 29-30, 2008! 2008 AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT The following awards were announced at the completion of the festival. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local #9 Memorial Scholarship awarded to a student for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Theater in the amount of $300.00 each to: Jennie Riverso, Stage Manager, Syracuse Children's Theatre Christian Vallador, Stage Manager, Indian River Central School New York State Theatre Education Association (NYSTEA) award for an Outstanding Actor in the amount of $100.00 to: Evan Rohadfox in the role of Chino in The Media Unit's production of "Angels with Broken Wings: The Awakening," directed by Walt Shepperd     Anonymous Donor award to a student in the amount of $250.00 to: Jesse Pardee in several roles in West Genesee High School's production of "Spoon River Anthology," directed by Caroline Brackett     Josh Jaquin Memorial Scholarship awarded to a student for Exceptional Technical and Overall Theatrical Prowess, in the amount of $300.00 to: Alex Reeder, Lighting Designer for Nottingham High School's production of "Speak" by Steven Braddock Summerfame Scholarship: $1500.00 value awarded to an undergraduate Syracuse City School District student for outstanding work, awarded to: Nicolette Apraez for her role as Rachel in Nottingham High School's production of "Speak" directed by Virginia Fennessy Michael Harms Memorial Scholarship awarded to a graduating senior for Outstanding work, in the amount of $1500.00, to: Joe Mettler for his Acting, Writing and Directing in the Sherburne-Earlville High School's productions of "Cards," "Sure Thing," and "Playwriting 101: The Rooftop Lesson." An award for Outstanding Technical Achievement by an ensemble was given to Indian River Central School for their production of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" stage managed by Christian Vallidor and directed by Kristie Fuller and Phillip Dyke Awards of Excellence were presented to the following ensembles for Outstanding overall work: La Joven Guardia del Teatro Latino (Spanish Action League) for their production of "Un Señor Muy Viejo Con Unas Alas Enormes" (A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings) directed by José Miguel Hernández Indian River Central School for its production of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" directed by Kristie Fuller and Phillip Dyke. Twenty-nine awards for Individual Commendation were also presented. See you next year!   Performances are always FREE and open to the public. Michael Harms Theater Festival Info

Syracuse Youth Jazz Festival

The Syracuse Youth Jazz Festival & Competition showcases the musical skills of students in high schools throughout Central New York and beyond. It provides a learning experience for students and teachers through adjudication, workshops, clinics and competition. The Festival has been a two time recipient of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) prestigious Excellence Award and is a recognized IAJE event. The IAJE is an organization formed for the purposes of fostering and promoting the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its artistic performance, and cooperating with all organizations committed to the development of jazz education worldwide. Syracuse Youth Jazz Festival was cancelled this year due to scheduling difficulties.  Please check back for information on next year's festival. Performances are FREE and open to the public. Learn more about the Syracuse Youth Jazz Festival

For more information about Youth Programming please contact: Robert J. Dwyer, Program Director 315.435.2127