East End Kids group performs ‘Sensational Sondheim’ in Monroeville, schedules auditions in Export

East End Kids, a service-performance group, is preparing to host auditions for the group’s winter season performances.

Auditions will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at DeStella Dance Centre, 5800 Kennedy Ave., Export. Performers ages 12 to 18 are eligible to try out for the troupe.

“You never know if this is right for you,” said assistant director Mary Chase. “If you have a desire to perform but you’re too afraid, unless you try, you don’t know.”

The group will wrap its 15-show summer season by performing “Sensational Sondheim” on Sept. 3 at Monroeville’s Jazz Fest. The group’s founder, Larry Cervi, created the show in remembrance of the late Stephen Sondheim. East End Kids’ members were challenged with advanced singing and dancing routines to honor the composer.

Completing her seventh and final season with East End Kids, student director Becca Whealdon agreed that the Sondheim material has been an educational experience, and one that she has been proud to be a part of for her last summer with the group.

“East End Kids has prepared me to move forward with my performance training in Point Park University as an acting major,” she said. “Larry Cervi has taught me the majority of what I know about the performing arts, especially acting. The opportunity to get in front of a crowd and show off everything we can do as performers is one of the greatest gifts this group has given me. I appreciate every moment I have had with these amazing performers and what I learned from them.”

After the summer show season, East End Kids will be saying goodbye to half of their advanced dancers. This creates a unique situation for those trying out. While directors normally seek rounded performers, they will be looking a little closer for dancers who are able to take on advanced routines and learn new skills throughout the season.

“We have one girl that — our dance captain — when she joined, she said, ‘I’ll dance but I’ll never sing’,” recalled Chase. “She ended up becoming one of our best singers. She has such a beautiful voice. Larry gives our performers a type of confidence that you can’t really get from anywhere else.”

Cervi founded the East End Kids 33 years ago. After retiring as Gateway High School’s drama director, the 86-year-old has dedicated himself to spending more time with his loved ones and working with his service-performance group.

“We all learn so much from Larry,” said Chase. “I always tell him that I need to have him for at least 10 more years. He is just a wealth of knowledge.”

The performance group consists of students from Gateway, Plum Borough, Norwin and other school districts. They spend seasons performing at nursing homes, private parties, community events and places to which they travel. Some groups have gone as far as Paris in the past.

“They’re serving the public, and the kids get to learn how to get out in the community,” said Chase. “After performances they put on their masks and go and talk to the audience. It’s a wonderful group for camaraderie, friendship and service, all while doing what they love to do.”

Auditions are held twice a year. The group’s winter season begins in September with rehearsals and goes until January, when summer season auditions are held. For more information regarding auditions and upcoming events, visit www.cervi-eastendkids.org.