Volume 1 Issue 3 ELAPA Magnet Dance Concert May 21

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2015 Spring Dance Concert "Livin' in the 90s!"

To see all the photos click:      https://elapatotally90s.shutterfly.com

Students in all ELAPA Dance Classes and after-school dance programs performed May 21 in the 2015 Spring ​Dance Concert which was titled "Livin' in the 90s!"  

  All of the songs used in the show had to be from the years 1990-1999.  Ms. Weber taught dances to all of the school day classes and chose a few top students as soloists.

 Some of the songs included were "Achy Breaky Heart," "California Love," "Bitter Sweet Symphony," "The Macarena," and "Livin' La Vida Loca."   The ELAPA Dance Company learned two large dances, "Gangsters Mix," choreographed Ms. Weber; and "Voogue," choreographed by Ms. Alli Gray.  Those students also had the opportunity to contribute their ownchoreography in two additional dances:  "Mambo #5," and "Balle Esta Cumbia."  The Torres Cheerleaders, coached by Mr. Gus Rodriguez, displayed their exceptional stunts in a thrilling 1990s mix of songs. 

  The after-school ballet class also performed  gracefully to music from the movie the Titanic.  The Torres Dance Team worked with their coaches Ms. Alli Gray and Mr. Alex Almaraz on amazing 1990s style hip hop mix which included "Poison" and "Tootsie Roll." 

 

 In the final moments the 9th grade joined the others onstage to dance to the song "It Takes Two."   The entire performance was a great success with exceptional dancing and beautiful lighting that was designed by ELAPA stage crew students under the direction of Mr. Daniel Guzman. 

Volume 1 Issue 2 The Bard Meets the Beatles

ELAPA Rocks Shakespeare at the Huntington!

Posted by: Janet Borrus  Theatre Teacher

To view or download additional  photos from the event go to: elapamidsummer.shutterfly.com

On April 17th Theatre Company performed A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Bard Meets the Beatles at The Huntington Library. Our adaptation was set in the 1960s and included Beatles' songs performed by the cast. Manuel Martinez dashed back and forth from his drum kit to the stage, providing a steady beat while also playing comic lead Bottom.  Liam Ojeda did double duty as band guitarist and Bottom's friend Francis Flute. 

The two won huge laughs when their characters portrayed tragic lovers "Pyramus" and "Thisbe" at the end of the play. Trinadad Munoz played their delightfully nerdy director Peter Quince, with Maria Rincon, Tiffany Gallegos, and Fernando Vasquez rounding out their posse. 

In the romantic leads, rebellious lovers Hermia and Lysander were played by Velia Esquivel and Emilio Vasquez, who performed a duet of the Beatles' classic Help!  Choir students Melanie Fierro, Jazmin Miranda and Rachel Zuniga were their Chorus.  Theatre company veteran Armando Martinez portrayed Lysander's rival Demetrius as an ambitious army recruit, and Alondra Pena took on the demanding role of Helena, whom he first scorns, then adores.  Lysander and Demetrius fight over her.

                                             Senior Samuel Zaragoza was commanding as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Mariah Gonzalez was his feisty Queen Titania. Below, she introduces her new love Bottom (who Puck has turned into a donkey) to her fairies, played by Wendy Lopez, Alexa Mendoza, Jacey Caceres, Skyla de la Torre, and Jasmine Tucker.  Puck, played by our versatile actor/dancer David Medina, morphs into tree to disguise himself.

Jose Flores and Samanta Correa played Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, whose wedding provides the setting for the story.

The stunning set was designed by Mr. Guzman's Stage Crew under the direction of Akeime Mitterlehner, one of several teaching artists from Shakespeare Festival LA who supported us on the show.  ELAPA seamstress Isabel Gallegos assisted the Costumer so everyone looked fabulous, and Sara Flores assisted Ms. Borrus as Stage Manager.  Ashley Castro and Maite Sousa designed the cool show logo. There are a few t-shirts left. See Ms. Borrus in G208 if you're interested! 

A big thank you to our arts partners: Shakespeare Center LA, LAEP and The Huntington Library!

Free transportation to the event for Torres students, their families and friends was provided by the Huntington Library.  A glorious time was had by all!   

ELAPA MAGNET Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1

Welcome to Volume 1 Issue 1 of ELAPA MAGNET BLOG

Today, May 2, 2015, a party was given in honor of our lovely librarian Karen Gibler who will be retiring this year. A wonderful time was had by all. If you would like to see pictures of the event go to https://karengiblerparty.shutterfly.com

Awards Update 

10th grader Jose Corrales received a Summer Scholarship from Exploring the Arts and will be participating in the OPEN ROADS wilderness program which includes documentary filmmaking, storytelling, hiking, boating, and camping in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY - LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT

Yesterday, May 1 our very own 10th grader Victor Gonzales was the Winner of the Langston Hughes Poetry Contest at the Huntington Library. He performed his poem to music that been written for it and performed by the Ron McCurdy Jazz Quartet. We should be receiving a link soon, so that everyone can view it. His poem was awesome and brought the house down. The new education center at the Huntington Library is amazing; the theatre is very beautiful.

ELAPA IN THE HOUSE!

On Thursday April 30 - Our poetry team competed at the Get-Lit Slam. Another exciting day! Our team: Berenice Cisneros, Sam Zaragoza, Isabel Jacquez, Jose Corrales. Sam has been on the team since 9th grade. He is graduating but he is going out with a bang. That was a great performance.

AUTRY FILM FESTIVAL

ELAPA Magnet left the festival on Saturday April 26th with some major awards. Christopher Leon won "Best High School Filmmaker" for his film Outside Looking In and Kassandra Celis was won the award "Best Cinematography" for her film November.  The other filmmakers from ELAPA Magnet whose films were selected to screen at the festival were: Jose Corrales, Joanice Mejia, Briana Orozco, Sofia Lugo, Guadalupe Martinez, Fernanda Hernandez, and Ashley Castro. Christofer Leon is only in 9th Grade; can't wait to see what he produces over the next three years.