Thanks for joining us for our “first fire” celebrating Youth Arts Month!
I am continually inspired by the talent and commitment of all artists in our state and was very proud to feature the work of both emerging and established young artists in our first Creative Campfire. As New Hampshire seeks to engage and retain our “young people”, I believe that the arts and culture sector holds space and provides support for those seeking to live, work, return or invent here at home. Charge on! Check out the recording here.
If you are interested in learning more about Youth Arts Month in New Hampshire take a look at The New Hampshire Arts Learning Network and sign up for their newsletter!
Who were the performers and panelists for Creative Campfire this week?
We were lucky to have an exceptional line up of presenters for our first fire from all across the state. In order to provide a more compelling introduction, I asked them to describe themselves in 5 words or short phrases (this is a trick I picked up from freelance writer, blogger and Law Professor Emerita, Susan Apel). You’ll find their answers below as well as contact information should you wish to learn more or reach out with questions and/or comments.
Performers:
Emma Cahoon, age 17, is an actress, dancer, director, Pinkerton Academy Astro, and future Boston University Terrier. She performed a monologue from a new play by AJ Ditty entitled “The Boyg,” which was to be premiered by Theatre Kapow in June. Take a read/listen to this touching piece on NHPR about high school seniors (including Emma and her peers) and their reactions to closings and cancellations around the pandemic. Questions or comments can be sent to Emma via Theatre Kapow at info@tkapow.com .
Sydney Kilgore, age 17, is a friend, avid podcast listener, frequent “laugher”, daydreamer, and poetry-enthusiast-in-progress. She is a junior at Concord High School and was recently named Champion of Poetry Out Loud 2020! Sydney selected “The End of Science Fiction” by Lisel Mueller to recite at our first fire because it felt timely and “right for the moment”.
Jason Faria, age 27, is an actor, singer, drag queen, video game lover and song writer. He is a graduate of Plymouth State University, where he earned a B.A. Theatre Arts degree. Currently, Jason is a full-time resident artist at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, where he regularly demonstrates his broad range as an actor and vocalist. For Creative Campfire he appeared as his drag persona “Honey Punch”, and brought along some puppet pals to perform an original song! Catch a weekly dose of fun for the whole family on Saturday mornings in Honey Punch and Pals Drag Queen Story Hour! jason.faria@seacoastrep.org
Panelists:
Stacey Zemla, is a maker of things, momma, “barterer” (she makes logo designs in exchange for local foods), teacher, and optimist! She is the Art Integrationist at the Spartan STEAM Innovation Academy at White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield, NH. In 2019, WMRHS received a $250K grant from the Boston-based Barr Foundation to proceed with the school’s plan to reshape the high school experience for students and staff! Stacey is also a board member of the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire. She is happy to take your questions and comments at staceywhipple@meca.edu .
Marisa Delhay is a mom, wife, educator, friend, and entrepreneur. She is the Owner of the Teach at Home Mom and creator of the Teaching Tote, an educational material rental service based out of her home in Hooksett, NH! Marisa recently won a grant by the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation when she pitched her business in front of a panel of experts! Marisa believes in the words of Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!!” Get in touch with her at marisa@teachingtotes.com, and visit her via the web and the socials: Website- teachingtotes.com Facebook page- The Teach at Home Mom, Instagram @teachathomemomnh .
Anthony Bounphakhoma is an artist, mover, life-lover, entrepreneur, and kid-who-dreams big! He engages with kids and young adults as a dance instructor and mentor through innovative programming using dance, art, film and love. He is the founder and owner of The Block Dance Collaborative and you can support this growing effort through the on-going Indiegogo campaign. Check out Anthony in action at the 2019 TEDx Portsmouth event where he teamed up with vocalist Sharon Ippolito in performance. Get in touch and stay tuned to Anthony by email: bounphakhoma@gmail.com , Instagram: @Ant_boun , Facebook: Anthony Bounphakhom .
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Representative:
Kayla Schweitzer is an fiancée, dog mom, arts ally, foodie and world traveler! She is the Grants Coordinator of Heritage & Traditional Arts at the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and was put up to presenting on this installment of Creative Campfire because she is smart AND the youngest staff member on the team (we need to stick with our youth theme, people)! She oversees the heritage and traditional arts grants, programs, research and fieldwork, and the NH Heritage and Traditional Arts blog. Kayla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Delaware. She graduated with her Master of Arts degree in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies from Rutgers University, New Jersey, where she focused her research on different programming and initiative opportunities celebrating, utilizing, and sustaining heritage for purposes of public and community engagement, tourism, urban development, and education.
Creative Campfire co-host:
C. Robin Marcotte is EVERYTHING! (Obviously, this is Amanda’s blog. . .) A fast friend, colleague and artist, Robin has some wonderful artistic and teaching “chops”. Check out his website for the skinny on his work. You can also peep ARTICINE, the non-profit he co-founded here.
Special Thanks
Our webinar was made possible with support from Plymouth State University! Tech royalty Brett Robinson and Travis Rubury made sure we were functional and supported from set up to close! Thank you!
Join us next time!
Upcoming campfires will be held on Tuesdays from 7:30pm – 8:30pm EST on:
- April 28, 2020
- May 5, 2020