Some comments about the Center for Living from a recent article in the Rock Island News
Denise wrote on Dec 30, 2007 9:50 AM: " Dino is a wonderful person and great with kids! My
children love taking drama lessons there! " Sandra Guinn wrote on Dec 30, 2007
6:00 PM:
" I wish I lived close so I could participate in all that you offer. I have someone
in mind for your "Living Legacy Project". What a great idea!! " Ann Herington wrote on Jan 1, 2008 4:38 AM:
" Our daughters have been involved with Dino, Tina and the
Center 4 Living since the very beginning. I can't say enough about the two of them, the work they do and the opportunites
they provide in and for our local community. Their commitment to providing anyone/everyone an opportunity to experience "life
at it's fullest" through the Center 4 Living is, in my opinion, unequaled. They are a team in every aspect of what
they do. Hats off to the two of them for taking a chance and making it work and for making our community a better place! Thank
you Dino and Tina. "
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She had a wonderful time, and actually loved all the hard work involved in putting on the show.
You did an amazing job pulling this all together, and I thank you for allowing my daughter the opportunity to get a taste
of theatre life. Now, shes hooked LOL All my best wishes to you and
yours! LR--mother of High School Musical cast member
From a Student and Parent of High School Musical
Student (Kaylyn) – I love acting and being on
stage. High School Musical was a dream come true! The camp has taught me things and when someone can teach me, I know I can
become better at something I love. I really enjoyed how the staff was just as excited as the kids. I loved the staff. They
showed us creativity and originality. The best thing for me has been building stage confidence, having fun, and making new
friendships! There was lots of time to socialize with people; before shows, after shows, during practice, and when you weren’t
on stage. I was able to see how actors and actresses work together to form a strong cast. I had a terrific time and will be
back next year. The experience that I gained from being in the High School Musical will help me in the future. It was a wonderful
experience. I give the theatre camp an A+, and can hardly wait for next year! Parent (Selena) - Kaylyn loved every aspect about the camp. She said there wasn’t anything that she disliked.
Kaylyn has been involved with other theatre summer camps but she was so excited about this camp. She would get in the car
at the end of the day and talk nonstop about how much fun she had. I could not believe her excitement! From that day on for
the rest of the camp, she could hardly wait to get there. She loved meeting the other kids and there was not one kid she didn’t
like. She liked the uniqueness and artsy way of the staff. This has been a good opportunity for my daughter to experience
various aspects of theatre (acting, singing, dancing, designing the set, props, costumes, technical side, etc). It was amazing
at how well the students knew their lines and how smoothly everything flowed in just three weeks. The diversity of the students
was great. They each were able to express their individuality. I also thought the students were respectful of one another.
Kaylyn is not afraid to get up on stage or speak in public. This will only benefit her in the future in school, college,
and the work force. I thought the staff was professional and enthusiastic. The price was reasonable. I was glad to have a
top quality program so close to home. What a joy to see my child enjoying herself and gaining even more self-confidence. Keep
up the great work!
The only improvement would be more, more, and
more theatre camps or productions.
Kaylee absolutely loved her experience!! She learned tons and made great friends. You gave her the opportunity
to do what she loves to do - sing and perform for an audience. The best compliment she could give you is after the first Friday
when I picked her up from camp, she said it was the first time in her life when she wished it wasn't the weekend.
So, yes, she would have loved to perform a second weekend. In fact, after the performance, we spoke to people who hadn't
heard about it till after the first weekend and wished it was still running so they could attend.
Please
continue to offer these summer camps. It was an expense for us, but well worth it. It was a wonderful way
for Kaylee to spend her summer - singing, dancing, and performing!! Do you know yet what show you will be performing next
summer? Tandy Huber
The show was awesome and I had so much fun working with you, Tina, and Everyone that was involved with it.
I liked all the warm-ups we did in the beginning of everyday (you know, how we learned to trust one another and everything).
What I expected when I first stated was that I wouldn’t make much friends because people normally don’t give me
the chance or anything and that it was going to be very difficult since it was my first play/musical ever, but it wasn’t,
it was amzing and I learned so much. You guys didn’t treat anyone different just because it was their first time or
they couldn’t sing or anything like that so it made the experience easy and wonderful for me.
I learned
a lot from you and Tina though some people would say that is was us that taught you, but that wasn’t the case for me.
I felt that what ever I did, I just have to give it all I got because its better to make a mistake outloud then make a mistake
quietly, and you taught me that.
I feel that the price range was okay though my mom thought that it was a little
high for a show that didn’t provide costumes but my mom thinks that everything is too expensive so I wouldn’t
really listen to what she has to say. LOL.
I believe that there is nothing we could improve because everything
was great and there is not much more to say about that. Because of my performance on stage and through those 3 weeks...I would
love to try and do musicals and plays for a living because its fun and it makes me so happy to actually have something that
I know im good at because in school, you hardly get that chance since they pick favorites a lot, and there are people out
there that think they are better then everyone else just because they take lessons, but that is not what makes you a better
person, that doesn’t make you better then anyone else, and I have friends that think they are better then a lot of people
but since I did high school musical.......it made me realize that anyone can be good, anyone can be great...it all depends
on how you show it, and give it all you got.
If there is ever a point where someone doesn’t want to do a
play or musical just because they feel that they are not good enough...then im going to tell them to go to you Dino because
you are what got me through this performance, it was you that made me realize that I can do this. I luv you Dino and im going
to miss you a whole lot so hopefully I'll see you soon. Peace Out! High School Musical Cast member
Here is my testimonial: I really enjoyed the three weeks. They were all that I dream of and more. We really came together
as a cast and I miss everyone of you. I like making the character sheets and trying new and fun games. Thank you Dino
and Tina for everything that you did for the cast.Your time was welll spent. Mary Dixon
She absolutely loved your camp and was sad to leave all the excitement when it was over. Thank you for all
your hard work during the camp. It was a great experience for her. Parent of HSM cast member.
My son had an absolute ball doing H.S. Musical and made some good friends, too. Besides causing him
to sleep walk, he has gained incredible self-esteem. He will sing anywhere, anytime, at the top of his lungs. (Neighbors
don't always apprecite this...)
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT HSM CAMP:
I
loved meeting all my new friends. Warm ups
were a blast. Everything was explained thoroughly
(when we didn't understand) and you never got frustrated! Being able to ACT and SING every day! You
made it feel like we were preparing for Broadway! Made me feel special! Liked the way we performed songs in a different way You made everyone feel like their part was the LEAD! WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT HSM CAMP: NOTHING! EXPECTATIONS: When I signed up we really didn't know what to expect,
so we weren't disappointed. It was a great first experience with the camp - and the stage! WHAT I LEARNED: I learned how to be a better performer: act better, sing better, definitely
dance better. I feel that I became more versatile. I learned the production process and all that is involved in
putting on a show! PRICE: My mom said the price was great. When you break
it down, you get a three week day-long camp for about $3.50 an hour!!! WAYS TO IMPROVE: Get more kids involved. I think with the success of HSM that next year a lot
more kids will want to participate. I hope so! THANKS
FOR EVERYTHING! Maddie
 The show you put on was amazing. I knew it would be a good experience for Eliza, BUT I had no idea how wonderful an
experience Schoolhouse Rock would be for her. Before the rehearsals began, I pondered whether I should give you
the heads up on what I thought she could handle, and a laundry list of her strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, I decided
I'd let you figure it out. The Eliza I saw perform last week is not the same Eliza I would have described to you
beforehand. I was stunned at how she memorized the songs, her stage presence, her composure--her singing voice!!!
As I commented to Tina, I don't know HOW you broke her of the habit of her nervous face/neck touching. She has done
that in every performance I've ever seen her in--chorus, dance, class plays. And even more important, you taught
her to think on her feet and be confident. The few minor line baubles were barely noticeable, because she maintained
her composure, paraphrased and got back in rhythm. I am amazed that she could acquire this in only two weeks. And, she never
doubted that she could pull off the show. (I was very worried...). And she had such fun. She bounced out of bed each
morning, eager to get on with the show. And thank you for allowing Brenna to participate... she too gained a lot
and she had a great time. I know she learned a lot and is looking forward to participating again next summer. I
am looking forward to many more summers of musical theater with you. If you've taken them this far in only two weeks,
how far will you take them??? Interplanet Janet might not be so fantastic after all.... A fan for life, Julie
Ross (mother of Brenna and Eliza, members of School House Rock Live, Jr. cast)
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