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About the Mount Laurel STEP Theater Program

The Special Talented Enrichment Programs (STEP) was established by the Mount Laurel Board of Education in 1983 at the direction of Mr. Paul Manko (then Assistant Superintendent). The program is designed to meet the needs of students who demonstrate exceptional talent and/or interest in music and art. The STEP Art and STEP Music/Theater programs are designed to extend and enrich student's skills and abilities in identified areas. Both programs are available to children in Grades 5-8. STEP(Summer - 4-8) programs are self-supporting, with parents paying tuition for participants. The program is administered by the Mount Laurel Schools' Community Education Department. A Scholarship Fund has been established to assist those with special talents who might require financial assistance in order to participate in the program. Family discounts are also available.

STEP Music/Theater Students participate in hands-on experiences in all areas of musical theater including:

• Singing, Dancing, and Acting

• Script Writing

• Stage, Costume, and Art Design

• Set and Prop Construction, Costume Making

• Lighting (conventional and intelligent)

• Sound Reinforcement

• Video Projection including both live and computer generated imaging

• Pit Orchestra using MIDI sequences supplemented with live student and parent instrumentalists

Our unique culminating activities are open to the public and tickets are also available to local Senior Citizen groups, childrens' camps, and special needs groups of all ages. All program expenses are paid for through tuition and donations.

Written & Directed by M. Christine & Jack Jeckot
Coming in July 2009	"Wicklow" Features traditional and original Irish influenced songs as well as original rock, pop and jazz . A brief synopsis of our story: Erin feels responsible for her elder sister Kelly’s accident and fears Kelly will never walk again. After she runs away from home, Erin befriends an array of mythical characters such as rockin' Leprechauns and jazzy Faeries. She builds a campaign with her new found friends to fight against Queen Toolefeat’s decision to band dancing in her beloved Ireland.
Coming in May 2009	Greetings From Wattsville Hardworking, music loving hill folk from the Ozarks are visited by beings from the Planet Onack who have caught the Disco Fever through broadcasted radio waves that traveled through space and time from Earth.
July 2008	HAY DAYZ OF HOLLYWOOD Our brand new musical comedy takes place in Hollywood during the 1940s while the movie business is booming. We visit a few of the sound stages, where different movies are being made.  One of Hollywood’s biggest movie studios “Mad Stork Studios” is filming a Western Musical called “Hay Dayz”.  Hence, our title, “HAY DAYZ OF HOLLYWOOD”.   There are various genres of music including Country, Latin, 40s Big Band and Pop/Rock.  Characters include Cowgirls, Cowboys, Brazilian Bosa Nova Dancers, Boogie Woogie Swingin’ Mermaids and Sea Creatures and of course movie stars, a movie producer, director, prop master, clapper loader, camera operator, sound person (just to name a few).  Finally, we can’t do a western, of course, without a horse!  Which end would you rather be?
May 2008	Under A Spell A musical comedy set in the Black Forest of Tennenbronn, Germany during Medieval Times and features characters such as Ladies and Knights, Wizard and Witches, Dragons, Forest Nymphs, and Sprites.  The upbeat songs are of the early 60s genre.
July/August 2007 Celebrating our 25th Summer	Tony's Last Dance Our story takes place in northern Italy during the year 1922. An opera diva, named Bianca, is traveling with her entourage and opera company when they are forced to spend a couple of unexpected days in the small village of San Gimignano because of vehicle trouble. Traveling with her group is a man named Tony. He is a gangster from America, who is on the lam and seeking refuge. Tony and his friends introduce the Roaring 20’s culture that is brewing back in the States not only to the Diva and her entourage, but also to the entire village. Their influence even inspires a young talented girl by the name of Angela to rewrite her opera to be performed as a fund raiser for the local orphanage. Musically, you will hear, pop/rock, traditional Italian folk songs, opera and the sounds of the 20s. In addition, you will see, Flappers dancing to a Charleston number and a Tango, as well as, villagers performing a Tarantella.
May 2007	The Charm of Dalila Unfolds in Ancient Egypt in the city of Luxor.  Featured in this play are a fiendish High Priest’s insatiable desire for power and wealth; a High Priestess’s yearning for the love and attention of the High Priest; an Egyptian Princess’s unwavering loyalty to her friend and the love of her subjects; a Pharaoh plagued with phobias of epic proportions; the devotion and appeal of a courageous Slave Girl, and the magic preserved in two very special “Amulets”
July 2006	Fancypants and the Swan Our story takes place in Southwest India in a village called Alappuzha.  CaptainArchibald Fancypants is the Captain of the pirate ship named "Witch of the Sea." Fancypants believes that his pants possess an all important power -- that no matter how beautiful a woman may be, as long as he is wearing those pants, he will be able to resist her charms.  The Swan is a magical black and white bird that turns into an Indian Girl from time to time.  One day she is unable to turn back into the swan.  She soon learns that it may be because her duty is to protect a very special tree in the forest, that bears gems such as rubies, diamonds and sapphires, from the Pirates who plan to dig it up and take it with them.
May 2006	Enchanted Shores Of Ka Lae A tale that takes place in the village of KaLae on the island of Hawaii during the 1800s.  Several English orphaned children and their chaperone become stranded in a strange place after their ship sinks in a terrible storm at sea.  Weniki and her parents also capsize their canoe in the same storm.
July 2005	Greetings From Wattsville Hardworking, music loving hill folk from the Ozarks are visited by beings from the Planet Onack who have caught the Disco Fever through broadcasted radio waves that traveled through space and time from Earth.
May 2005	MYSTERY of XINGU Deep in the Brazilian Rainforest near the Xingu River, many animals are chased from their homes by the impinging progress of man.  The animal characters are forced to search for a new home.  Not long after, they stumbled upon a wonderful new place to call home.   They soon are faced with several mysteries
July 2004	Under A Spell A musical comedy set in the Black Forest of Tennenbronn, Germany during Medieval Times and features characters such as Ladies and Knights, Wizard and Witches, Dragons, Forest Nymphs, and Sprites.  The upbeat songs are of the early 60s genre.
May 2004	Hua Mu-lan, the Flowering Magnolia A story about the legendary Chinese heroine, Mu-lan, who cleverly disguises herself as a man and joins the Imperial Army in her father’s place.  Mu-lan’s eight pets play an important part in her decision making process as well as the spirits of her Ancestors
July 2003	The Charm of Dalila Unfolds in Ancient Egypt in the city of Luxor.  Featured in this play are a fiendish High Priest’s insatiable desire for power and wealth; a High Priestess’s yearning for the love and attention of the High Priest; an Egyptian Princess’s unwavering loyalty to her friend and the love of her subjects; a Pharaoh plagued with phobias of epic proportions; the devotion and appeal of a courageous Slave Girl, and the magic preserved in two very special “Amulets”
May 2003	Dream Keepers The main character, a Hopi Native American named Kaya, is asked by the Counsel of Chiefs to become their Medicine Woman after she saves the life of a child in their village.  Trouble mounts when her people learn she has been secretly meeting an Apache boy.  Life sized Kachinas and a Spider Woman by the name of Mommy Longlegs guide Kaya through tradition and deep rooted beliefs.
July/August 2002	Enchanted Shores Of Ka Lae A tale that takes place in the village of KaLae on the island of Hawaii during the 1800s.  Several English orphaned children and their chaperone become stranded in a strange place after their ship sinks in a terrible storm at sea.  Weniki and her parents also capsize their canoe in the same storm.
May 2002	"Wicklow" Features traditional Irish music as well as original Irish influenced original songs.  Erin feels responsible for her elder sister, Kelly’s accident and fears she will not ever walk again.  After she runs away from home, Erin befriends an array of mythical characters such as Leprechauns and Faeries.  She builds a campaign with her new found friends to fight against Queen Toolefeat’s decision to band dancing in her beloved Ireland.
July/August 2001	MYSTERY of XINGU Deep in the Brazilian Rainforest near the Xingu River, many animals are chased from their homes by the impinging progress of man.  The animal characters are forced to search for a new home.  Not long after, they stumbled upon a wonderful new place to call home.   They soon are faced with several mysteries and decide to face the music and fight for their newfound home.
May 2001	Rosabella Based on the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” dramatizes the critical life lesson that beauty is truly found within a person is set in Spain.  This play features a wide range of musical styles and includes a few pieces from Bizet’s opera classic, “Carmen.”  Dance troupes include Flamingo Dancers and Bullfighters.
July 2000	Hua Mu-lan, the Flowering Magnolia A story about the legendary Chinese heroine, Mu-lan, who cleverly disguises herself as a man and joins the Imperial Army in her father’s place.  Mu-lan’s eight pets play an important part in her decision making process as well as the spirits of her Ancestors.
May 2000	The Adventures Of Pinocchio Based on the classic fairy tale, Pinocchio yearns to become a real boy.  All of the well-known characters are featured in this play and also include a ballet dancing Blue Fairy Troupe, dancing Puppets, Busy Bees, School Children, Donkeys and Water Dancers all supported by the music of fourteen original fun songs.
	Directed by Mr. Jack Jeckot
July 1999	The Myth Of Hercules
May 1999	Under The Sea
July 1998	The Hunchback
May 1998	Cinderella
July 1997	The Legend of Pocahontas
May 1997	The Wiz of Oz
July 1996	Ingonyama Induna
May 1996	Neverland (Inaugural Spring STEP Performance)
July 1995	The Adventures of Pinocchio
July 1994	Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
July 1993	Beauty and the Beast
July 1992	Under the Sea
July 1991	Cinderella
July 1990	Annie, the Little Orphan
July 1989	The Trial of Alice in Wonderland
July 1988	The Wiz of Oz
July1987	Neverland
July1986	The Adventures of Pinocchio
Directed by Mr. Gene Golluscio	& Mr. Jack Jeckot
July 1985	Musical Highlights from Oklahoma
July 1984	Musical Highlights from Oliver
July 1983	Musical Highlights from Bye Bye Birdie and Annie

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