Page 226 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2019

THEFINALSAY
AMANDA
GENEUX-
ERICSON
photo by Katherine Sowers
WINGS Performing Arts Director
Greetings South Mississippi Living readers! I am Amanda Geneux-Ericson, the new WINGS Performing Arts Director of Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, and I am thrilled to share a little about myself as well as some of the new and exciting things happening with the WINGS Performing Arts Program.
My family and I recently moved to the Coast from
Lake Charles, Louisiana. I am originally from Shreveport, Louisiana and a graduate of Centenary College with a degree in vocal music education as well as a minor in dance. I have been involved in children’s theater for almost ten years now.
In Lake Charles, I was the Artistic Director for a Children’s Theater called CYT. I truly believe that the time that I spent in that position prepared me for this job as the WINGS Performing Arts Director. I am a mother of two children, Amelia, 8, and Oliver, 3. I am so fortunate that my job allows my children to be a part of this amazing program.
There are many things that make the WINGS Program special, one being our educational focus. Whether it be learning iambic pentameter of Shakespeare, or gaining knowledge to direct your first show, the WINGS Program has it all. This year we have many fresh ideas that we are incorporating into the program, and we would love for your children to come and join the fun!
We are working on building performers that are well rounded in drama, voice, dance, as well as technical theater. Our workshops that we hold once a month are taught by talented professionals: Heather Johnson, Melanie Kidd, and myself. They feature a three-hour workshop in which our students get a little bit of everything that the theater has to offer. I truly believe in cultivating the love
of theater arts in children. Workshops are a way to better
educate
our performers for the stage.
We are also offering specialty workshops, which are included in your membership, to benefit our students
in areas such as playwriting, directing, stage managing, and more. Another way our program is special is that
we have a student-led leadership board that organizes community service projects monthly to raise awareness for our students as well as giving our students pride in their community. Our main focus in our community service projects this year is cultivating environmental awareness in our program and community. The students and staff
are very excited for all of the ways we hope to make an impact.
Lastly, we have multiple performance opportunities throughout the year for your child to be involved in. This year we open our season with “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” in October, “Frozen Jr.” in December, an original play “Swimming with the Fishes” in February, “Rainbow Fish” in March, and our Inaugural Gala in April.
We have a jam-packed year full of opportunities for all. Please feel free to check us out on Facebook at WINGS Performing Arts of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. I want to say thank you to South Mississippi Living for giving me an opportunity to share a little bit about myself and
the WINGS Performing Arts Program. This year is going to be wonderful and we are so grateful for the support!
226 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2019
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