Chester teen to attend performing arts program

CHESTER — Amanda Loosli, 15, will soon take an important step toward her goal of being an actress. The Chester teen will take part in the prestigious Next Step Prep six-week workshop this summer. Next Step Prep is a performing arts boarding school located at the Missoula Children’s Theatre headquarters in Missoula, Montana.

Amanda’s parents are Chester residents, Stephen and Bethany Loosli. Amanda is home-schooled and plans to finish high school courses by 2012.

The program begins on June 28 and includes instruction in dance, music, and acting. Students earn credit toward high school graduation while honing their skills as ”triple threat” performers — people who can sing, dance, and act. The academy delivers a focused curriculum of classroom instruction, private voice lessons, and specialty workshops taught by theater, television, and dance professionals.

Amanda said the 10-page application process included composing essays and providing three references from mentors. She said she is thrilled to have been chosen to attend the program, especially because becoming an actress is one of her life goals.

Currently, Amanda is co-starring as Lucetta in the Rigby-based Classics Academy’s production of Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Amanda’s older brother, Taylor, stars as Valentine, and her younger sister, Melissa, steals the show as Thurio. After a series of well-received performances at the Rigby Library earlier this month, the production was one of 10 selected to compete at “Shakespeare Showdown” in Heber City, Utah. This is the third consecutive year the Classics Academy performance group has participated in the Showdown, which is a three-day educational Shakespeare camp.