Arts in the Schools

Performing Arts

The Orinda Arts Council involvement in the performing arts began in the 1950's, when volunteers offered performing arts classes for students in Orinda. It continued with dance related Arts Integration programs for Orinda Middle School students from the 60's to the early 2000's. In 2006, the OAC expanded its performing arts program and brought student vocal talent to the public stage with the premiere of Orinda Idol. Each year, Finalists for four solo categories and two group categories are selected by a panel of judges during May auditions open to all Lamorinda students. The Finalists spend the summer preparing and performing, culminating in the Finals in early September at the historic Orinda Theatre.

In addition, the OAC supports the Orinda Intermediate School after school drama program, OIS Bulldog Theater Company, whose productions have included Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Clackervilles, Mulan, Peter Pan, Annie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Wiz, Midsummer Night's Dream, and Guys & Dolls, Jr. Recently, the OAC also sponsored the Miramonte High School Musicals Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, and Once Upon a Mattress, and for the past few years the OAC has offered grants to the OUSD Elementary School Spring Musicals, including Sleepy Hollow's Willy Wonka, Jr., Aladdin, and Alice in Wonderland, Jr.; Wagner Ranch's Fiddler on the Roof and Seussical, Jr.; Del Rey's Dear Edwina, Jr. and Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and Glorietta's Honk, Jr. and Cinderella, supporting the efforts of all four elementary schools to offer an annual after school musical.

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Sixth Annual Lamorinda Acalanes Union Film Festival

LAUFF6 Winners and Participants with Justin Seligman, Film Arts Teacher and LAUFF Founder and Organizer.
Left to right: Scott Call, Lauren Carr, Zach Beck, Christina Bech, Julia Anderson, Colter Harris, John Cornell, Tucker O'Neil, Laura Gustafson, Paul Sarconi, Victor Thresh, Aja Adair, Conor MacKinnon, Andrew Christian, Justin Seligman, Bill Tawfall, Taylor Hunt, Jeff Sawdon

Following are the winners of the LAUFF6, held on April 13, 2012 at the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, which included screenings of 26 exciting short films, each written, directed, and produced by students from Acalanes, Campolindo, Los Lomas, Miramonte, and JM Intermediate schools, and the celebration of winners in 11 categories.

Special acknowledgement was given to The Orinda Arts Council for sponsoring the $500 OAC Young Filmmakers Scholarship Fund to supplement summer filmmaking educational opportunities for LAUFF6 award winners.

Special thanks to Campolindo Film Arts Teacher and LAUFF Founder and Coordinator, Justin Seligman. Read more in the online student newpaper, La Puma...

LAUFF 6

Best Actor: Conor MacKinnon, Acalanes
Mystery Product
Sponsored by New York Film Academy

Best Actress: Aja Adair, Campolindo
A Life Deferred
Sponsored by East Bay Media Center

Best Screenplay: Heidi Roodvoets, Miramonte
Man's Best Friend
Sponsored by Interlochen School of the Arts

Best Special Effects/Title Sequence/Motion Graphics: Cameron Bagley, Julia Anderson, Laura Gufstafson, Keith Geiger, Campolindo
Pokeworld
Sponsored by Lamorinda Theaters

Best Director: Cameron Bagley, Julia Anderson, Laura Gufstafson, Keith Geiger, Campolindo
High School Survival Guide to Sports Safety
Sponsored by New York Film Academy

Best Cinematography: Tucker O'Neil, Acalanes
Haazard
Sponsored by Bay Area Video Coalition

Best Use of Audio: Chessa Mehlman, Las Lomas
Palos Verdes Blue
Sponsored by the Academy of Art University

Best Comedy: Colter Harris, Campolindo
The Tutor
Sponsored by Lamorinda Theaters

Best Editor: Leigh Scanlon, Campolindo
Intro to Campo
Sponsored by New York Film Academy

Best Lighting: Jeff Sawdon, Campolindo
It Get's Better
Sponsored by Lamorinda Theaters

32 Ten Award: Taylor Hunt, Sam Crossley, Jeff Sawdon, Campolindo
Halfway
Sponsored by 32 Ten Studios