Curtain Set to Rise on a New Facet of the Arts at the Infinity Center

Infinity staffer Heather Ullman with one of the puppets

The curtain is set to rise on a new facet of the arts at the Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center! Beginning in July, Infinity will add a theater arts, drama, and puppetry component to its menu of offerings.

“We are collaborating with Matt Hamilton-Kraft (Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.) to develop a student-run Infinity Theater Company,” said Shane Hawkins, Infinity's Executive Director.

"COI has a strong focus on developing entrepreneurship skills in the youth they work with; Infinity provides a unique setting to develop these business skills in a supportive, creative and engaging environment. Students will be involved in everything from making the puppets and sets, to script writing, performing and booking the Company when they are ready to perform. We're very excited to watch this idea finally take shape and become a reality."

With the recent losses of Chautauqua County theater programs like Das Puppenspiel and Awareness Theatre, Infinity is eager to revive the concepts of both programs and offer yet another area of the arts for youth to Explore! Experience! and Excel! at the Infinity Center. From acting and stagecraft to costume designing and building sets to puppet manipulation and script writing, Infinity theater students will have significant hands-on involvement in every phase of staging productions.

In partnership with COI, Infinity has acquired the last two Das Puppenspiel’s shows, as well as an array of puppets from the now-dissolved Das Puppenspiel Theater Company. With a quality script and puppet base to launch from, a brand new expanded facility on 3rd Street, an art instructor/puppet maker, Renee Pye, and former Das Puppenspiel puppeteer Heather Ullman, Infinity is ready to watch this new venture become a strong component of Infinity Visual and Performing Arts.

If you would like more information or would like to join the fun, come to the Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center, 115 E. 3rd St., Jamestown on June 30th at 6 p.m. for an informational meeting, or give us a call at 716-664-0991.

The Infinity theater component will be available for students 8-21.

The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Program is dedicated to building the resiliency of our community's youth by providing unique opportunity through access to the arts. More than a place, more than a program, Infinity is an experience for the body, mind, and soul; it is a chance for youth to become immersed in music and learning, to take creative risks, and to discover their infinite potential. To learn more or to donate, visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.