Local author publishes new book

MIDDLETOWN — Local author Anthony Valerio has written a new book, “Semmelweis, the Women's Doctor,” a biography of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis (18181865) who discovered the causes, means of prevention of childbed fever. The Middletown resident, who has taught at Wesleyan University, also wrote “Immigrants according to Anthony Valerio, Volumes I & II.”

The book is available at Amazon.com.

https://www.amazon.com/ SEMMELWEISWomensDoctorAnthonyVALERIOebook/dp/ B07SXB767W

Youth theater announces new season

BERLIN — No Boundaries Youth Theater celebrates its 10th season with new classes, homeschool programs, auditions, and productions for children and teens.

The opening production for the season will be an original script based on the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe, an American writer best known for his poetry and short mystery and horror stories. Teens have been working with the company’s staff to create the script in a series of workshops called The POEtry Project. Auditions for actors will be held Sept. 3 and 5, beginning at 6 p.m. at NBYT’s rehearsal studio space at the YMCA at 362 Main St. in Berlin. All actors ages 13 through 20, from any town and with or without prior experience, are welcome to audition. Performances will be on Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford.

NBYT’s holiday production will be Disney’s Frozen Jr. The show includes all of the memorable songs from the animated film, plus new songs written for the Broadway musical. Auditions will be held on Monday and Wednesday, Sept. 9 and 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at 362 Main St. in Berlin. Preaudition workshops (not required to audition) are on Aug. 28 and Sept. 4. All children and teens, ages 6 through 18, are welcome to audition. There are a number of roles for teen actors, roles for girls and boys, and many featured ensemble roles. Older children age 13 and up may also contact NBYT with interest in helping backstage.

The season will continue in 2020, with an original adaptation of The Little Mermaid from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Hobbit based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Seussical JR next summer.

Darren Farrington, who cofounded the company in 2010, will step down as executive director this season. A search for a Managing Director to replace him has recently begun.

Also in September, NBYT begins new classes and homeschool programs. Classes in acting (ages 514) and improv (ages 916) begin . 21. Each eightweek term ends with an inclass performance open to family and friends. Younger acting students will stage African Tales, with drama games and scenes to teach the basics of theatrical storytelling, character development, voice, and movement. Older actors will work on skills for monologues and scenes. The theater’s popular Improv class welcomes new students and challenges returning students to build new skills.

Homeschool enrichment programs begin Sept. 17, and include a performance program for ages 8 to 14 and an improv class for ages 816. This term, the performance class will work with original (and sometimes dark and frightening) fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and others.

Classes and homeschool programs are held at NBYT’s rehearsal studio space at the YMCA at 362 Main St. in Berlin.

To register for auditions or classes, or for more information about any program, visit www.nbyt.org or call 8605158115.

Great Clips opens new salon

CROMWELL — Great Clips has opened its latest franchised salon in Cromwell Square, 51 Shunpike Road. The salon, owned by Laura and Ken Jarvis, joins a network of 4,000+ Great Clips salons across North America.

Although prices vary from salon to salon, the average adult haircut is only $ 15 and children’s haircuts are $ 13. For a limited time only, the new Great Clips at Cromwell Square is offering haircuts for only $ 5.99 – a Back to School Promotion.

This summer, Great Clips pledged to donate $ 1 in school supplies to schools across the United States and Canada for every download of the Great Clips Online CheckIn app through Sept. 8. Great Clips’ goal is to donate at least $400,000 to deserving schools that can be used for school supplies, enrichment programming or renovations and enhancements.

Great Clips Cromwell Square is collecting School Supplies and Personal Care items like shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. during the month of August which will be given to Cromwell Youth Services.

For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a location, visit GreatClips.com.

Arts commisson invites grant applicants

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Commission on the Arts welcomes grant applications for programs and/or projects that enrich the lives of Middletown residents through the arts. The next deadline to submit an application is Sept. 15.

The commission considers applications from organizations/ businesses and from individuals three times a year. Commission funded programs and projects include, but are not limited to, performances, exhibitions, children’s arts programs, arts education, public art, and other arts activities that benefit Middletown and its residents. For more information, visit the MCA page of the City of Middletown at http://www.middletownct.gov/ 297/GrantInformation