Finally: No COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Reported today in Westport; State Positivity Rate 1.34%
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport has no COVID-19 cases or deaths to report.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,779 cases. Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 1.34%
Westport Country Playhouse Announces Debut of Middle School Summer Camp
Press ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse will launch CampWCP, a new, in-person, social justice theater camp for 10 middle school students (6th through 8th grade) with playwright José Casas and the Playhouse’s Roz and Bud Siegel director of education Jenny Nelson. CampWCP will run from July 6 through July 30, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the theater’s rehearsal studio. Registration opens Monday, May 3, at noon. Licensing from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is pending approval.
The four-week camp will be split into two classes: acting taught in the morning by Nelson, and playwriting/production taught in the afternoon by Casas. The 10 young artists will create original pieces focusing on the question: "What does home mean to you?,” working with Casas to weave their collective stories into a play. In addition, Playhouse staff will give the campers insight on what happens behind the scenes at a professional theater. At CampWCP’s conclusion on Saturday, July 31, students will share their original creations, in-person, at the Playhouse for an invitation-only event for their family and friends.
Casas believes that “this camp is the creation of a safe space so that youth feel free to express all their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. It is a collaboration and exchange where youth voices are acknowledged, listened to, and celebrated."
Casas is a playwright and assistant professor who heads the playwriting minor in the department of theatre and drama at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild as well as a board member of Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. He has a BA in theatre arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara; MA in theatre arts from California State University, Los Angeles; MFA in playwriting from Arizona State University; and two years of graduate coursework in drama and theatre for youth and communities (DTYC) at the University of Texas at Austin. His plays have been performed across the country and included in anthologies. His plays, “la ofrenda” and “somebody’s children,” received both the Bonderman National Playwriting Award and the American Alliance of Theatre and Education’s Distinguished Play Award. His book, “Palabras del Cielo: An Exploration of Latina/o Theatre for Young Audiences,” was awarded the American Alliance of Theatre and Education’s Distinguished Book Award.
Nelson hails from Arizona where she received her bachelor’s degree in theater, master’s degree in theater from the University of Arizona, and a second master’s degree in education from Fairfield University. She is the associate artistic director of Collective Consciousness Theatre, a social justice theater in New Haven. She has taught at several universities, including City College of New York in the graduate program for theater professionals and educators. She has also worked as an artist and educator at several theaters, including Long Wharf Theatre, Shubert Theatre, and Yale Repertory Theatre. Recently, Nelson was a nominee for the Tony Teaching Award of Excellence.
Fee for the four-week camp is $750. To ensure that all young artists have equal access, scholarships and payment plans are available. Maximum camp capacity is 10 students. Registration will be online from Monday, May 3 through Tuesday, June 1 at https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/campwcp/
Campers will receive a limited edition CampWCP t-shirt; a copy of instructor José Casas’ play, “somebody’s children”; and a bound copy of the play collectively created.
Masks will be worn by staff and campers at all times; social distancing and health protocols will be followed, including OEC and local Covid-19 guidelines.
CampWCP is sponsored by Paige and Jodi Couture; additional 2021 Education Program supporters include the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation; The David and Geri Epstein Foundation; George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation; Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc., The Westport Young Woman’s League; as well as Athena and Daniel Adamson; Anna Czekaj-Farber; and Roz and Bud Siegel. WSHU is a 2021 Season Media Sponsor.
For Westport Country Playhouse tickets and information, visit westportplayhouse.org, call (203) 227-4177, or email at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Leaders Lunch Together to Support Outdoor Dining
Left-right: Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas, State Representative Stephanie Thomas, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, State Senator Tony Hwang, Executive Director Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce Matthew Mandell Both State and Local leaders enjoyed lunch today at Tarantino’s on Railroad Place while discussing outdoor dining around the town and county. The discussions were held in partnership with the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, and was organized by State Senator Tong Hwang. The group sat on Railroad' Place’s new outdoor dining locations, which were constructed over the parallel parking spaces once found alongside the local train station strip. Ideas like that were the crux of the conversation as the group focused on ways communities could better provide support and flexibility to both restaurants and customers.
Car Crash Closes Route 1; Knocks out Power to Area
A single motor vehicle accident was reported around 9:30 PM directly in front of Westport Fire Department Headquarters. A utility pole was involved, shutting down power to the immediate area while Eversource crews responded to the area. Post Road East, between Hillspoint Road and Compo Roads, was shut down while crews worked at the scene to restore power and remove the vehicle.
No word on injuries or what caused the accident.
The road was reopened shortly after 11:00 PM.
Haiku Moment from Westport’s Poet Laureate
From Westport Poet Laureate Diane Lowman
Islands in the sun
Brown bark in a green grass sea
Ghosts of things that were
Westport Library Plans Memorial Day Weekend Booksale
Press ReleaseWhatever you have planned for this summer, you’ll undoubtedly want a few great books at your side!
The Westport Library and Westport Book Sale are delighted to announce the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend Book Sale. With thousands of gently used books in over 40 categories, and audio books, CDs, and DVDs, there will be something for everyone.
The sale will be held inside the Westport Library on Friday, May 28th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, May 29th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, May 30th from noon to 5:00 pm. The Library will also be open for normal operations on Friday and Saturday. COVID-19 health and safety measures including social distancing and mask wearing will be required.
“It’s beginning to feel a lot more normal!” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “The Memorial Day parade, all of the downtown activities, and now the book sale. The sale is an important revenue source for the Library and we are very grateful to the Westport Book Sale team and dozens of volunteers for their tireless efforts.”
“Westport Library Book Sale Events are a beloved community tradition that we are proud to continue. As in years past, we are especially pleased to hold the book sale the same weekend as the Westport Downtown Association’s annual Fine Arts Festival — another great reason to visit Westport,” said Jocelyn Barandiaran, President of Westport Book Sale Ventures, which operates the book sale. “Everyone is also invited to stop in at the Westport Book Shop, our recently-opened nonprofit used bookstore, located right across the green from the Library, at 23 Jesup Road.”
To volunteer at the Book Sale, email volunteers@westportbooksale.org
Evening Rain Empties the Basketball Court
After a warm evening outdoors, the basketball courts at Compo Beach were emptied quickly as rain ended the matches, sending kids on their ways homes.