Blue Blanket Improv offers free training, $500 scholarship to HMB youth

Blue Blanket Improv is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Blue Blanket Improv Performing Arts Scholarship Program.
The mission of the Blue Blanket Improv Performing Arts Scholarship Program is to encourage performance arts on the Coastside by providing support for deserving local high school students who wish to continue their education at the college level. To be eligible for the BBI scholarship program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
•  Current high school student
•  Living or attending school on the Coastside (Montara to Pescadero)
•  Completion of BBI scholarship program application

The Blue Blanket Improv Performing Arts Scholarship Program comprises two parts: •  Internship—Following auditions, selected individuals will be invited to join Blue Blanket Improv for a period of six to eight months to gain real-world performance experience. The internship is intended to provide the participants with professional-level comedy improvisational theater skills training. Skills include speaking in public, self confidence, thinking on your feet, thinking creatively, active listening, team building, accepting and progressing ideas, turn taking, verbal wit, storytelling, basic acting, stage presence, and verbal projection. Participants will achieve the necessary skills and confidence to perform with the main troupe in a live public performance.

Program participants will actively participate in weekly rehearsal/workshops every Monday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. They will also provide technical and creative support for BBI monthly performances on the second Saturday of each month.  Some flexibility in the above time requirements will be available but should not be considered the norm. The required commitment for this program is three months (April to June 2009), after which a participant may be invited to join the troupe as a permanent member.

•  Scholarship—At the completion of each internship period, BBI will award one intern a $500 cash scholarship, which must be used for college expenses, including application fees, tuition, books, and so on. The performing members of the troupe will make the selection based on demonstrated commitment and creative growth during the BBI internship. The scholarship is funded with monies raised by BBI through performances and donations. BBI is currently accepting applications for the scholarship program. If you are interested in the performing arts and want to gain a little onstage experience as well as some money for college, download a copy of the scholarship program application, fill it out, and return it to [email protected]. Applicants need not have specific comedy theater experience but must be creative, outgoing, and willing to commit to the process. We’ll contact you with information about the auditions and answers to any questions you might have about the program.

Scholarship applications must be returned to BBI by March 1, 2009. Auditions for the BBI internship will be held at Enso Yoga Studio in Half Moon Bay sometime in March. After we receive your scholarship application, BBI will contact you with the time and date for the auditions. The scholarship winner will be announced in June 2009.