“Houston on Broadway” in The Woodlands New on the Art Scene
DLP Productions offers fine arts training
DLP Productions “Houston on Broadway” in The Woodlands is an exciting new company that promises to offer
top-notch-level training to youngsters in the commnity.
Although DLP is community-based, their shows are totally professional. The first
production in June 2008 was
Grease!, which featured a local talent Will Makar as Teen Angel. Makar was in the top 12
performers of season 5 of
American Idol. Other knockout cast members came from The Woodlands High School, John Cooper
School, Oak Ridge High School, Concordia Lutheran and Magnolia High School.
Theater is fun, but it also
requires dedication,
concentration and a
strong passion for the art.
Artistic Director Deanna Peden, a resident of The Woodlands and vocal coach, is
the founder of DLP Productions.
“Having lived in the Woodlands for over five years, I realized there was so much
talent in the area, including all surrounding areas,that was really not getting
showcased,
” Peden said. “I started out testing the waters with a scenes program where I put together an average of anywhere between five-22 scenes. This helped young
performers have a chance to feel what it is like to have a lead, but not the
pressure of a full show to worry about.
”
This tool helped many students prove themselves to other directors who may not
have otherwise given them an opportunity. Peden is not afraid to take raw
talent and give them opportunities, as she is confident in what she and the
rest of her artistic staff can bring out in them.
“Even if a person is talented naturally, it is so important that that talent is
nurtured by someone who really has performed and knows all aspects of
performing in order to bring out the best in the cast,
” Peden said.
A firm believer in hard work, Peden lived in New York City for seven years as a
performer, and worked with many directors and conductors during her 20-plus
years in professional theater.
“Theater is fun, but it also requires dedication, concentration and a strong
passion for the art. Auditioners who are afraid of constructive criticism will
have a difficult time improving their characters and walking away from a
production feeling a real sense of accomplishment,
” she said.
Peden also includes adults in her productions to give “maturity” to shows, she said. DLP board member Joe Alexander sang the role of Vince
Fountaine in
Grease!.
DLP’s Feburary show, Willy Wonka Jr.—co-produced with Stage Right—was based on Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The cast featured talented local performers ranging in age from 5 to 55.
DLP is extremely excited about the future and especially excited about future
shows which include
Songs for a New World, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods Jr., Chicago and Jekyll and Hyde.
DLP is a nonprofit artistic company. For more information, visit their Web site dlpproductions.org.
