Entertainment at tonight's gala fundraiser includes a special performance by the Sonoma Developmental Center's own 'Eldridge Performing Arts Company.' The group has appeared at previous PHA events, always with a lively and crowd-pleasing performance. The Eldridge Performing Arts Company is also one of the honorees at this year's event.
The Eldridge Performing Arts Company (EPAC) was established in 2005, the idea of former music therapist Melodie Mitchell. It brings together the performing talents of both clients and staff who reside and work at Sonoma Developmental Center. EPAC has produced musicals including Grease, Music Man and Wizard of OZ, and two musical reviews, the Best of Broadway and Musical Time Travel.
The client actors participate as leading characters, extras on stage, dancers, and band members, or they can also assist behind the scenes. All actors are assigned a staff stage coach to assist them when needed, and if called upon, to fill in if the client actor is unavailable to participate in the performance.
The theme for each performance is chosen by a vote of the previous year's cast. Ideas are solicited at the cast party after the last performance, and then all of the cast votes on what they would like to do.
According to Becky Zyskowski, SDC staff member and one of the group's coordinators, "Every year we hold auditions, and whoever auditions is guaranteed to be in the show. Rehearsals are two days a week for three and a half months, and then we have two dress rehearsals and four live performances. Every year the show is a sell out.
"The performances allow the clients to see what it's like to be involved in a community theater setting and a live stage production from beginning to end. At the end of each production the clients are awarded a bouquet of flowers and souvenir apparel. Each performance is a new and exciting experience for the actors involved, and it always shows on their face!"
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