Character building blocks
Building Characters for Life. That’s what we do at DreamWrights. Sure, we’re in the business of putting on performances, plays, and musicals. But what we do is so more than just that. We pride ourselves on being an educational theatre. One where anyone, regardless of age, race, experience, and background, can get involved. And, not only will we teach you how to act, sew, hang lights, balance sound, and create set, but also we will also arm you with tools to succeed in life. Through participation in our programs, we will teach you life lessons like responsibility, inclusion, self-confidence, the importance of community, and how our whole is greater than the sum of our parts.
Artist Terri Einsig poses with her building block creations
Artist Terri Einsig has seen this character building in her own daughter, Lilly, who recently performed as the Giver in the production, The Giver. Terri reflects, “Just in the last two years she’s really grown as an actress. She’s learned a lot in all different area of the theater. I know it’s because of the teachers and mentors she’s had here at DreamWrights. She drew a lot from the different mentors here, especially recently through The Giver. Everyone is so willing to help and pour [their heart] into the kids.”
Terri first got involved at DreamWrights in 2016 when Lily was cast in Our Miss Brooks. She remembers, “From the moment I stepped behind the scenes of that show, I saw all of what goes on. I fell in love with DreamWrights, the atmosphere, and the people.”
#Characters4Life
Terri especially appreciates the fact that there are so many different places to get involved at DreamWrights. “Lighting, creating costumes, and acting. It’s just like a little artist community. People of all ages and all different backgrounds all bringing something different. I feel at home here. To see where you start and what you end up with on opening night…it’s just an amazing thing to be a part of.”
In addition to Our Miss Brooks, Terri has lent her talent to the sets of productions including The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, Peter Pan and Mary, It’s a Wonderful Life, Beauty and the Beast, and Babe, the Sheep-Pig. “I enjoyed working on the Peter Pan and Mary set the most. I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted and I got to work with some of the younger kids who had artistic abilities and were interested. It was fun to work with them and show them different techniques. They really picked up on it quickly.” Terri also gives credit to Andrea Unger, her daughter Lilly, and other artists who helped her on the various projects.
Einsig’s mural that hangs in Riffe’s office
In addition to painting sets, Terri has made a couple of very special contributions to DreamWrights that are preserved even after the productions have ended. The first one is a beautiful mural that graces a wall of DreamWrights’ Director of Artistic Programming, Laurie Riffe’s office. “Laurie knew what she wanted and I just brought it to life.” Laurie says it is a beautiful reminder to her about why her work is so important.
Being creative with the building blocks. Why not turn the handle into an alien’s mouth?!
Terri’s most recent contributions currently are residing in our lobby, ready to help tell DreamWrights’ story of Building Characters for Life. With an idea planted by Executive Director, Ann Davis, Terri created some beautiful and whimsical character building blocks. Terri says, “It was a lot of fun because I had to plan and be creative.” She says her biggest challenge was incorporating the handles that some of the building blocks had while trying to get all the sides to work together. But thanks to Terri’s creativity, she turned the challenges into opportunities to add character elements, making the character blocks even more endearing.
We invite you to stop by and see for yourself our character building blocks this May the 4th between 7am and 4pm as DreamWrights participates with more than 200 local non-profits in raising $1million dollars through Give Local York. We would love to give you a tour, show you where the magic of DreamWrights happens, and have you learn more about how DreamWrights teaches life skills. Oh, and we would love for you to consider making a donation to support our effort of Building Characters for Life. Thank you.
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