Skip to main navigation

Catalogue Blog

A Young Performing Artist’s Dream Comes True

Screen Shot 2018-02-13 at 3.56.43 PMAt just 16 years-old, Mateo Ferro only dreamed of performing at The Kennedy Center in a Lin-Manuel Miranda Tony Award Winning musical. But, right now, he is rehearsing alongside stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Eden Espinosa for just that dream. Last month Broadwayworld.com and Playbill.com announced that Ferro was cast in the Washington, DC premiere of IN THE HEIGHTS, to run at The Kennedy Center from March 21st to March 25th.

Ferro has been a dedicated performing arts student since he was a student at Rocky Hill Middle School, but it wasn’t until he enrolled in Young Artists of America at Strathmore (YAA), a 2017-2018 Catalogue nonprofit, that his dream of professional performances was realized. Young Artists of America at Strathmore is the region’s premier training organization for collaborative performing artists. It is the only known program in the nation where high school students receive mentorship and individualized instruction from renowned artists while training to perform fully-orchestrated works of music-theatre in state-of-the-art venues. With campuses in Montgomery County, MD and Howard County, MD, students from all over the mid-Atlantic region participate in their Performing Ensembles, while many travel from overseas for their Summer Performing Arts Intensives.Screen Shot 2018-02-13 at 3.52.06 PM

Although Ferro only needed to travel from Clarksburg, MD, his experience at last year’s Summer Intensive set this dream in motion. Ferro was cast as the lead, playing Usnavi in YAA’s summer showcase production of IN THE HEIGHTS. His performance, which he perfected during the two-week summer intensive, made a lasting impression on YAA’s Founder and Artistic Director, Rolando Sanz. So much so, that when Sanz was contacted by The Kennedy Center’s Casting Director over the fall of 2017 in search of a young, local performer who could also rap, Sanz thought of Ferro immediately. The Casting Director then invited Ferro to audition for the role of Sonny, and Ferro was subsequently cast.

Read more about Ferro’s story in his own words and watch highlights of his performance here.

Imagination and Fantasy

The qualities that make for excellence in children’s literature can be summed up in a single word: imagination. And imagination as it relates to the child is, to my mind, synonymous with fantasy. Contrary to most of the propaganda in books for the young, childhood is only partly a time of innocence. It is, in my opinion, a time of seriousness, bewilderment, and a good deal of suffering. It’s also possibly the best of all times. Imagination for the child is the miraculous, freewheeling device he uses to course his way through the problems of every day….It’s through fantasy that children achieve catharsis.

- Maurice Sendak, American children’s book author and illustrator and Caldecott Award recipient, who was born this day in 1928. Throughout his career as an artist and writer, Sendak changed the popular perception of children’s literature and pushed boundaries in confronting topics like imagination, grief, loneliness, and just plain growing up. The author of “In the Night Kitchen” and “Where The Wild Things Are,” among many other treasured works, Sendak was also an instrumental board member in the early days of Sesame Street. In addition to writing and illustrating, Sendak was interested in theater and performance; he was a prolific set designer and adapted some of his works for the stage. Sendak’s memory will always live on through his timeless classics of children’s literature, which embrace the wonderment of childhood. Happy Birthday Mr. Sendak!

Around Town: April 13-14

It’s been a warm week here in the DC area, and our nonprofits are keeping it hot throughout the weekend with some great events! See what all you and your family and friends can get into around town this weekend:

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Family Concert & Educator’s Workshop with Jose-Luis Orozco

Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center
Last seen on the National Mall during the Library of Congres Book Festival, Jose-Luis Orozco will make Falls Church the first stop on his East Coast tour this spring. Children’s Author and Musician Jose-Luis engages young children in a bilingual, rollicking concert of engaging Latin Folk Songs that become an unforgettable lesson in basic Spanish for everyone. Following the concert, early childhood professionals, including home care providers, and Spanish language, music and ESOL teachers are invited to a networking luncheon and a workshop when Jose-Luis will share his methods of engaging children through music.
When: Saturday April 13, 2013 (11:00 AM)
Where: Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7234 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043
Fee: yes, concert, $5 children; $7, adults; Workshop, $45, includes concert, lunch, a CD of Jose-Luis’ music, and the workshop from 1 pm to 3:30 pm
Contact: Renee Boyle, (703) 534-4907

View the Cherry Blossoms Aboard the Historic U.S.S. Sequoia Presidential Yacht

Audubon Naturalist Society
Proclaimed by the History Channel as the Rolls Royce of Yachts for 90 years the Sequoia has catered to the needs of a dozen U.S. Presidents. Featuring most of the original furnishings, and chock-full of historic photos and letters, this special fundraising event coincides with our nation’s cherry blossom festival. Food and drinks donated by DC’s premiere caterer, The Main Event. Price of Admission is $350 ($250 of which is a tax-deductible donation in support of our local environmental education and conservation efforts) Space is limited! To reserve your space now, contact Loree Trilling at ltrilling@audubonnaturalist.org or (301) 652-9188 x35.
When: Saturday April 13, 2013 (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Where: The Gangplank Marina, Maine Ave SW & 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024
Fee: yes, $350 ($250 of which is tax-deductible)
Contact: Loree Trilling, (301) 652-9188 ext 35

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company

Dance Place
Dakshina’s unique blend of Bharata Natyam, modern dance and fusion works creates an evening of dance ranging from quiet and abstract to intensely theatrical and vivacious. The company premieres a reconstruction of Anna Sokolow’s iconic Magritte Magritte along with a new work by Daniel Phoenix Singh. Funded in part by the NEA
When: Saturday April 13, 2013 (8:00 PM)
Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Fee: yes $22 General Admission; $17 Members, Seniors, Teachers and Artists; $10 College Students; $8 Children (17 and under)
Contact: Carolyn Kamrath, (202) 269-1608

ETC/ArtStream OnStage present The Final Showdown and Lights, Camera, Chaos.

Educational Theatre Company
Inclusive Theatre Companies are directed by trained theatre professionals and feature actors with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and on the Autism Spectrum. An original script is developed during the rehearsal process through improvisation techniques. A play is scripted and then blocked, memorized by the actors and performed for the public. The final production is designed to showcase each actor’s unique talents.
When: Saturday April 13, 2013 (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Where: Gunston Theatre One, 2700 South Lang Street, Arlington, VA 22206
Fee: no
Volunteer Info: ArtStream,Inc is producing two original musical comedies featuring actors with and without cognitive disabilities and WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! We need 3-4 people to help run simple sound cues or help our actors backstage.
Contact: Jennie Lutz, (301) 565-4567

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company

Dance Place
Dakshina’s unique blend of Bharata Natyam, modern dance and fusion works creates an evening of dance ranging from quiet and abstract to intensely theatrical and vivacious. The company premieres a reconstruction of Anna Solokow’s iconic Magritte Magritte along with a new work by Daniel Phoenix Singh. Funded in part by the NEA
When: Sunday April 14, 2013 (7:00 PM)
Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Fee: yes $22 General Admission; $17 Members, Seniors, Teachers and Artists; $10 College Students; $8 Children (17 and under)
Contact: Carolyn Kamrath, (202) 269-1608

Theatrical Congratulations

Monday was a big night for the Washington performing arts community — and for quite a few Catalogue non-profits! Yesterday marked the 27th Annual Helen Hayes Awards, which recognized “156 theatre artists, ensembles, and productions nominated in 26 categories,” as well as three special awards. And we would like to send Catalogue cheers to:

- Adventure Theatre for Outstanding Production (Theatre for Young Audiences) for If You Give a Pig a Pancake.

- Synetic Theatre for Outstanding Costume Design, Director, and Ensemble for Othello and Outstanding Lighting Design for The Master and Margarita.

- Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company for Outstanding Director and Resident Play for Clybourne Park, which will return to the Woolly stage this summer.

Continue reading

Around Town: October 23-24

Coming this weekend to a non-profit near you …

Saturday, October 23

8:00 AM-2:00 PM — DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk (Polaris Project): join thousands on the National Mall as they raise awareness of human trafficking and funds for organizations working to end it. Register here!

10:00 AM-noon — West End Walking Tour (Coalition for Smarter Growth): take a morning walking tour from Downtown to Georgetown and explore how community involvement has shaped the neighborhood, plus check out Francis Field and Michael Jordan’s old haunts!

8:00 PM — Dance Performance (Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co): catch the premiere of “Charlie Chan and the Mystery of Love” and leap into 1930s Hollywood through a multi-media dance exploration set to period music and the spoken word poetry of Wilma Consul. — SOLD OUT

8:00 PM — Masterworks 2 Concert (Fairfax Symphony Orchestra): head over to the George Mason University Center for the Arts for a beautiful evening of Sibelius, Mozart, and Bartok. Tickets right here.

Saturday, October 24

3:00 PM-6:00 PM — The World’s Largest Indoor Picnic (A Wider Circle): for real! Kids can enjoy a giant Wii screen, Moonbounce, and miniature golf course, while adults can stop by the driving range or silent auction, plus there will be plenty of good food all afternoon.

3:00 PM-6:00 PM — Voice of the River: The Paintings of Leea Baltes (Potomac Conservancy): experience the serenity of our natural world in this brand new exhibit of acrylic paintings at River Center Lock 8.

7:00 PM — 8:00 PM — Dance Performance (Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co): do not miss your chance to see one of the first performances of “Charlie Chan and the Mystery of Love.” Friday and Saturday night shows sold out before I could type this. Tickets this way.

Have a great weekend and hop over to Happenings for extra information.

7 Questions – Jill Strachan (Capitol Hill Arts Workshop)

Today on “7 Questions,” we have with us … Jill Strachan, Executive Director of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), which provides educational, exhibition, and performance opportunities to all ages. And which also happens to be just a few hops from my home. Continue reading

CityDance Ensemble and Theatre Lab School Win 2010 Mayor’s Arts Awards: Congratulations!

Congratulations to two Catalogue nonprofits who are winners of the 25th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. They are CityDance Ensemble for “Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education” and The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts for “Innovation in the Arts.” This is an awesome honor and we at the Catalogue salute you!