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Summer in the spotlight

WASHINGTON — In the summer, the American University campus is alive with a variety of students from diverse programs, including the weeklong camps from Imagination StageImagination-Stage Logo. These  are called “Flex Week” camps because they can be mixed and matched to suit the schedules of families in the area, teens in particular. During the week, students study musical theater and dance.

The program is for students in seventh grade through 10th grade. Most of the students are from the District or the Bethesda-Potomac area, but some have ventured all the way from the South and Spain.This week at American University, Imagination Stage is offering courses in Scene Study and Musical Theater Dance.

“It’s nice to see the strong young adults they’re becoming,” said Nikki Kaplan, associate director of education for Imagination Stage. Kaplan has worked with Imagination Stage for eight years. She began performing when she was younger, then spent a few years as an actress, performer and singer in New York. “Ultimately, I found myself wanting to work with young people,” said Kaplan.

For acting classes, students develop an understanding of physical character, which is when you adjust your body and your voice to fit the needs of the character. They also play theater games and do improvisation.”When they’re on stage, they should want something from the other character on stage with them, which is their objective,” said Kaplan.

For dance classes, the pupils begin with establishing a ballet foundation, which teaches footwork and clear lines with the body. It also builds strength, flexibility, dexterity and coordination. A lot of focus is put on expression.

The program consists of a morning session and an afternoon session, each three hours long. Some students stay for both sessions and others come for just one. Students who do both sessions stay on campus the whole week.

The goal of the program is to introduce young people to acting and refine their dance and musical theater technique. It is also to give students an appreciation of why classes are important. “There is a technique,” said Kaplan. “Acting is the thing people think they can do without teaching.”

Instead of a professional show, the students have an informal sharing in front of their parents at the end of the week. The teachers will give them feedback and suggestions leading up to the presentation. “It’s more like a rehearsal than a production,” said Kaplan.

“We focus on the process instead of the product,” said Marcia Howard, who is the senior faculty for dance at Imagination Stage. Howard has been a dance mentor at Imagination stage since 2001 and became the senior faculty member in 2011.

“Being a dancer, actor or musical theater performer, it’s really important to spend time in classrooms,” said Kaplan. “Acting is like anything else. You have to learn how to do it first. You wouldn’t want your doctor to just jump into surgery.”

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Washington’s Bigfoot: the Silver Line finally found

One of the new Metro cars to be used on the Silve Line. Photo courtesy silverlinemetro.com

WASHINGTON — Despite the many challenges the Silver Line has encountered, the new extension of the Metro is finally prepared to face the public. The Silver Line, which is set to open on July 26, will connect D.C. residents with the areas of Tyson’s Corner and Reston, Va. While some commuters have been critical of the many setbacks and complications on the Silver Line, others saw these issues as a way of Metro making sure the new Silver Line would be as safe and efficient for its riders as it could be.

With a budget $150 million over its estimated $2.8 billion cost and an opening date which up until now was seven months late, it is easy to see why commuters and residents remain skeptical.  Margaret Kelly commented on Metro General Manager Richard Sarles’s statement on the opening date of the Silver Line.

“I wouldn’t give it much credit. When he stated it, I didn’t really believe it,” the American University employee and District resident said.

Margaret Kelly, Metro user and American University Employee, shared her thoughts on the Silver Line with Teen Observer reporters
Margaret Kelly, Metro user and American University employee, says she is still skeptical of the Silver Line’s opening date. Photo by William Peters

Despite the delay, some people are still excited for the Silver Line to open.

“I think it’s really cool that people will have easier access to Tyson’s Corner,” said Zora Stephenson, an intern at American University who grew up in the area.

Emily Vail points out the positive side of the Silver Line’s delay.

“To be perfectly honest, when you have a huge infrastructure project, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If it’s not ready, it’s not ready,” said the grad student and AU employee.

Vail also looks forward to using the Silver Line herself.

“My grandmother lives in Northern Virginia so it’ll be nice. I won’t have to take a train.” she said.

Even thought the project has faced many challenges and setbacks, the Silver Line is sure to connect people with the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and help the commuters of many in the District.

This version corrects the opening date of the Silver Line.

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Man vs. Nature: Community garden thrives

A sign in front of Peggie Lewis's garden greets visitors.
A sign in front of Peggie Lewis’s garden greets visitors. Photo by Valerie Akinyoyenu

WASHINGTON — Wake up and smell the garden, literally. Forty years ago, Ann Chase asked the city to start a community garden to commemorate National Food Day. Today, the Newark Street Community Garden is the largest and one of the oldest in the District, situated on four acres of land with about 200 plots tended by roughly 190 gardeners. The area also showcases picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts and a newly added dog park. Although the garden is successful, the association has encountered many obstacles.

The beautification plots in front of the garden are tended by volunteer gardeners, such as Peggie Lewis. “It’s for the neighbors,” Lewis said. When a fountain was installed in the playground in the vicinity, these plots were disturbed by the digging of a water source, and the byproducts of the construction contaminated the soil and made it difficult for these plants to grow, she said.

Concerns about contamination from animals, such as deer and birds, began to rise. Even though the gardeners have a system of protecting their gardens, the wildlife still prevails.

One gardener, Brad Foss, said, “The birds are smarter than me.”

Peggie Lewis crouches behind the sign at the front of the garden.
Peggie Lewis at the main entrance to the urban gardens, the largest in the District. Photo by Valerie Akinyoyenu

Foss grows blueberries in his 15-by-15 plot, which are difficult to grow, he said, because they are complex and require a very high level of acidity in their soil. Most of the plots are surrounded by netting, but the birds manage to find tunnels through the nets. Deer have also managed to make their way into plots every so often. “The deer love everything we put in,” Lewis said.

The garden has also been frequented by what local gardeners call “The Flower Thief.” Lewis said this person cuts blooming flowers from the gardens and then sells them to floral shops by claiming he has a garden in Virginia.

Members have to take care of their gardens and volunteer 10 hours in order to keep their plot. “We have a very strict group of rules,” said Susan Akman, former president and 30-year member of the garden. “We want our rules to give framework and not to lose people but to instruct.”

The garden has met challenges, and it still draws support from many. Gardner Martha Baron said, “I like to be outdoors, it’s exercise… I love growing things and seeing them bloom.” Baron tends to her garden two to three times a week with the occasional help of her grandchildren. She grows tomatoes, English daisies, basil, phoxs and green peppers.

“Gardening is our therapy. It’s our escape,” said Akman. “I have a great love and passion for it.”