IN Keystone Oaks Summer 2014 | Page 8

in the Loop What’s news in Keystone Oaks BUILDING A MOVEMENTPittsburgh’s Arts and Culture Community Embracing Accessibility and Inclusion of People with Disabilities Do you know someone who loves the arts but stopped going because they couldn’t see the stage, read the program or hear the dialogue? Good news! Times have changed! FISA Foundation has promoted the inclusion of people with disabilities into the region’s performing arts, theaters and museums. Through collaboration with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the Allegheny Regional Asset District, arts organizations are training staff on inclusive practices, changing policies and providing accommodations to ensure that the arts are available to all members of the community. Most of Pittsburgh’s cultural organizations now have accessibility information on their websites. It’s becoming common to find large-print programs, hearing amplification, accessible seating and adapted performances. FISA Foundation recently released Building a Movement: How Pittsburgh’s Arts and Cultural Community is Embracing Accessibility and Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The report can be accessed at fisafoundation.org/about/centennial-report. Keystone Oaks Presented “Curtains” Keystone Oaks High School performed the Broadway hit “Curtains” this spring. Shane Hallam, who directed last year’s “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which earned Keystone Oaks a school record eight Gene Kelly Award nominations and the school’s second-ever Gene Kelly Award (best costume design), directed this year’s performance as well. 6 724.942.0940 to advertise | Keystone Oaks He described “Curtains” as a comedy whodunit set in Boston in the late ‘50s. “The show is about how a cast and crew and a few detectives from the Boston P-D work together to not only save themselves from a murderer who has infiltrated the theater but who also find a way to save their show,” said Hallam. “The entire premise is completely preposterous and that’s part of what makes it so funny.” Hallam admitted to feeling some pressure coming off last year’s show, which earned so much acclaim from audiences and critics alike. However, he was confident that this year’s show would also deliver. “Pulling off a comedic musical like ‘Curtains’ is no easy task and not everyone can do it,” acknowledged Hallam. “You need to have a lot of people in your cast who understand how to be funny on the stage without trampling all over the story itself.” Keystone Oaks High School senior Darren Frederick played the show’s lead, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi. That role was played by David Hyde Pierce (“Frazier”) in the original Broadway production. Green Tree to Hold Annual Octoberfest The 18th Annual Green Tree Octoberfest will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, at Green Tree Park. The weekend promises to offer food, fun, entertainment, car cruise, petting zoo, pony rides, and fireworks on the evening of the 14th. To volunteer or sponsor the event, call 412.921.1110 or email [email protected]. For more information on Green Tree, go to greentreeboro.com.