From - Sun Apr 15 14:34:54 2001 A BONUS FOR THE BELVIDERE by Pam North Gilpin County has some interesting newcomers. Hailing from the Los Angeles area, Sheldon Craig and Susan Youel have chosen this area as their new home, determined to be involved with the Phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes Belvidere Theatre. Visiting here last summer, the pair stopped by the Visitors Center in Central City, and in the process became acquainted with Bob Harvey, the driving force behind the ambitious renovation of the Belvidere Theatre. Harvey took them on a tour through the historic theater, and they were impressed with the building and the scope of the project. They quickly fell in love with Central City, and had soon made the decision to move to Gilpin County, hoping to lend their talents to developing theatrical arts in the community. Sheldon Craig has been intimately acquainted with the theater since high school, and while attending college he was the recipient of an American College Theater Festival award. He went on to direct audio and video productions, theater shows and operas, and has had a number of scripts produced and/or optioned in the entertainment industry. His additional experience includes teaching acting to various ages of students, and performing and directing voiceovers at California studios. More recently, Sheldon staged a production of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" for the Pasadena Lyric Opera in Pasadena, California. Susan Youel has an impressive background of her own. She holds an M.A. degree in vocal performance from California State University, and has been a voice teacher for many years, instructing both privately and for colleges. Her teaching experience has encompassed all ages of students, from school pupils to professional opera singers. While living in Boston, Massachusetts, she studied opera with John Moriarty, Artistic Director Emeritus for the Central City Opera. She has performed leading roles in many musicals and operas, and has served as musical director for various productions. Mesmerized by Central City's legendary opera, Sheldon and Youel first visualized forming a light opera company here, believing initially that the Opera House productions were only of the more serious variety. Realizing eventually that light opera was also part of the Opera House's offerings, and wishing not to enter into any competitive venue, they turned their attention toward the theatrical concepts of the melodramas and community theater productions that have long been what Bob Harvey has envisioned for the revived Belvidere Theatre. Youel's intention is to do educational outreach and musical direction, and Sheldon would like to tackle artistic direction when the theater's restoration has been completed. They are even willing to operate an old-time photos operation on the lower level of the Belvidere when it finally opens. In addition to these goals, they are committed to pursuing grants to fund the Belvidere Theatre project, an endeavor which is vital for the project's success. Both Sheldon and Youel were on hand to assist and make helpful suggestions at a recent theatrical workshop held at the Gilpin Library by the Shady Ladies of Central City to hone their acting abilities at presenting their unique and well-known "Survivors: Unconventional Women of the West" production. Participants in the six-hour session learned a variety of stage techniques to polish their performance skills. Many of Gilpin County's residents have a passion for the arts, and would welcome an expanding palette of such offerings. The Belvidere Theatre could prove to be the perfect showcase for a wider range of entertaining stage presentations. Craig Sheldon and Susan Youel want to be there to help make that happen. Guerin.....I sent photos of both Sheldon and Youel to you late last week, and assume you have received them by now to use with this article.