RALEIGH, NC - North Carolina Theatre Conservatory (NCTC), NC Theatre’s flagship training program offering professional instruction in acting, voice and dance for ages three to adult, is excited to bring to the stage their production of Crazy For You, August 14-16 2015. It will be produced by the students of NCTC’s Summer Master Theatre Arts School (STAS), NCT’s four week summer camp with emphasis on pre-professional training of the highest caliber culminating in a full scale musical production. Students range in age from middle school to rising college students.

Crazy For You will be directed/choreographed by Dance Dept. Head Tito Hernandez and produced by NCTC Artistic Director Ray Walker. With more than 20 years of experience as a professional choreographer, actor, dancer and educator, Dance Dept. Head Tito Hernandez made his Broadway debut in the Tony award winning musical Jerome Robbins' Broadway. Other credits include Bob Fosses' Dancin', Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, the National Tour of Evita and The Gingerbread Lady starring Oscar winner Shelly Winters. Mr. Hernandez has had a long history with NCT, including choreographing productions of Evita, (starring Ray Walker and Lauren Kennedy), The King and I (starring Lou Diamond Phillips) and NCT's Summer Theatre Arts School (STAS).

This year, with support from the City of Raleigh, the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory will be moving the production from their stage in North Raleigh to the AJ Fletcher Opera Theater at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. This exciting change gives the students an opportunity to perform on a professional stage for a larger audience. Director Tito Hernandez said, “Thanks to the City for affording our kids this incredible opportunity! They will now have a venue that meets the caliber of their performance and talent. Audience members of all ages will be able to tap their troubles away while enjoying another classic American Musical Theatre piece performed by the students who will become the next rising stars!”

Crazy For You is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930′s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include “I Can’t Be Bothered Now”, “Bidin’ My Time”, “I Got Rhythm”, “Naughty Baby”, “They Can’t Take That Away from Me”, “But Not for Me”, “Nice Work if You Can Get It”, “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Crazy For You is the winner of three Tony Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards, and two Drama Desk Awards.

ABOUT NC THEATRE CONSERVATORY

NC Theatre Conservatory is celebrating their 11th anniversary as the flagship education program of the North Carolina Theatre, which has been producing professional Broadway-caliber musicals in Raleigh for thirty-one years. The Conservatory is a supportive, challenging and innovative environment where students receive instruction in dance, acting and singing. The teachers are professional working actors that have performed on Broadway and other stages across the country. The Conservatory runs year-round programming in addition to the summer programs. Registration for fall classes are now open. For more information and to register, visit www.nctheatreconservatory.com.

Tickets are $25 and $50 for VIP which includes Reserved Parking, Priority Seating, Donor Listing, and access into the Conservatory Backers Club for complimentary food, beer, wine, and beverages. To purchase, visit NC TheatreConservatory.com or call 919-855-0015.

PRINCIPAL CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Josh Keen (Bobby Child) is entering his seventh year at the Conservatory and is a Junior at Triton High School in Dunn. This is his third Master STAS production. Previous shows with NCT include: The Little Mermaid, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who's Tommy, Oliver, and Evita.

Carly Grissom (Polly Baker) is a rising junior at Broughton High School and is thrilled to be back on the Master STAS stage having previously appeared in Tommy and In the Heights. Recent credits include “Mary Phagan" HSN/Theatre Raleigh's acclaimed production of Parade; NCT Main Stage- Les Misérables, Evita, Oliver!; Theatre Raleigh- Oh What a Night II, Music of Hot Summer Nights, A Christmas Story; Justice Theatre Project - Ragtime, The Secret Garden.

Collin Yates (Bela Zangler) is a recent graduate of Millbrook High School and will be attending East Carolina University in the fall. This summer, he will also be seen in the ensemble of NCT main stage production of Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story. Past Master STAS roles include “Jesus” in Jesus Christ Superstar,”Usnavi” in In The Heights, “Cousin Kevin” in Tommy. He was also in the ensemble for NCT production of Les Misérables. Other roles include the title role in Jekyll and Hyde and “Seymour” in Little Shop of Horrors.