New immersion opportunities being offered at Cité des Arts

Cité des Arts is a not-for-profit multi-use arts facility offering performance space and classes in community theater, music, dance, French programming and visual art. With funding from the French government through the Consulate General's Office in New Orleans, Cité is able to offer new activities for students aged 14-18 who speak French, want to continue to use the language and have fun in the process. Each program will run through the end of the 2006/2007 school year. The cost of each program is $140.00, which may be paid out at $20/month. If you are wishing to take any of these courses but cannot afford the price, please contact Cité des Arts, 337-291-1122, as there are scholarship funds available. A maximum of 20 students will be accepted for each course.

*Flim Making*

This course will be taught by Pat Mire, a local filmmaker who has achieved international recognition and will have a film presented at the Cannes Film Festival next spring. Participants in this course will learn all phases of filmmaking, from planning and securing rights through scripting, filming, editing and promotion. In the process they will produce a short documentary piece suitable for broadcast and for festival participation. This film will focus on the cultural impact of Hurricane Rita on the communities of southwest Louisiana. The film will be completed and edited by next May, at which point it will be first shown at CINEMA ON THE BAYOU, the locally held international documentary film festival. Negotiations are in place for broadcast on LPB and other outlets. This course will meet on Monday afternoons form 6-8pm. On the third Sunday of each month there may be additional meetings for field work and filming. This course will accept new students through October 1st .

*Careers with French*

This course will be taught by Marseilles native Agnes Capello. Ms. Capello has worked as a French teacher, consierge, tour guide and translator. Working with local businesses and organizations, she will introduce the students to a range of employment opportunities for individuals who are bi-lingual. They will visit area tourist attractions to learn how they may be presented to French speaking visitors and work with LeCentre International to learn about international business opportunities. Focus will be put on the 250th Commemorative Celebration of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette. This will be done in part by working with the Natural History Museum in preparation for their major exhibit on this theme – translating docent and teacher materials for the exhibit and, for those who wish to continue the experience into the next year, training as docents to lead younger immersion classes through the exhibit in the fall of 2007. Participants in this class will also be involved with Festival International in various ways, from presenting acts on stage to hosting and interpreting for visiting acts from Francophone countries. This class will meet on Saturday mornings weekly at 9:00am, beginning on September 29th .