First Stage Summer Theater Academy Begins Today

Registration for First Stage Theater Academy summer sessions is now open. One, two, three and four-week sessions begin today, June 20, 2011 and run through Friday, August 12, 2011. Classes are offered at three locations: the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street in downtown Milwaukee; the Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest Street in Oconomowoc and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, 19805 E. Capitol Drive in Brookfield. Registration remains open until classes are filled.

Classes are offered for students entering grades K5 through 12 in the fall, with tuition ranges from $145 to $595. Younger students are offered the option of a half-day morning or afternoon session, and all other students attend full-day sessions.

Each day begins with a "Beginning of Day" session - and all-Academy gathering to prepare for the work and the adventures of the day. Curriculum throughout the day
includes: Creative Drama, in which younger students imagine, enact and reflect upon improvised situations; Improvisation; Acting Theory; Voice and Speech; Stage Movement; Musical Theater and Shakespeare. The day concludes with an "End of Day" session - another all-Academy gathering to reflect on the day, giving students the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of their fellow students. Teachers guide each student, working with an ensemble of peers, to explore the theater curriculum. Small class sizes ensure a personal, interactive and focused experience for each student.

Advanced students entering grades eight through 12 have the opportunity to audition for the Company Class program, the advanced training session of the Theater Academy. Classical, Contemporary and Musical Theater Company Class programs at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center and Classical Company Class at the Oconomowoc Arts Center are available. Auditions for the Company Class program take place the first week of March at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Registration is required prior to scheduling and audition.

New this summer, First Stage Theater Academy will offer a two-week overnight camp at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisc. This new program is for offered to students entering grades 9 through12 in the fall. Included in this program are workshops by prominent guest artists from such companies as Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, as well as a trip to see a performance at American Player's Theater in Spring Green, Wisc.

Founded in 1992, First Stage Theater Academy has grown to become one of the largest theater arts training programs of its kind in the nation, with over 1,200 enrollments per summer. The Academy fosters like skills through stage skills, teaching the physical, vocal and emotional skills needed on stage, ultimately helping to build self-esteem and cultivate the vital skills that help children throughout everyday life, such as cooperation, empathy, confidence, leadership and focus.

Research conducted in 2009 has proved that participation in the Academy has a positive impact on a child's emotional intelligence (EQ); the ability, capacity or skill to identify and assess the emotions of one's self and others. Researchers have linked EQ and success in life such as steady, fulfilling careers; healthy marriages; positive relationships; good parenting skills and good physical health. In the studies conducted, students that had participated in the Academy had shown improvement among three broad categories: "Knowing Yourself," through self discovery and building self confidence; "Choosing Yourself," through intentional decisive action and motivation; and "Giving Yourself," in teamwork, cooperation and the act of creation.

"We foster a positive atmosphere in which children see that it's OK to take risks and be themselves," said John Maclay, Theater Academy director. "I see young people in our program grow as actors every day, but I also see them grow as people. It is the kindest environment I have ever witnessed - a great place to be whether you are an aspiring actor or anyone who just wants to be respected, supported and be themselves" Maclay continued.

Registration is available online at www.FirstStage.org/theateracademy. For further questions, please call (414) 267-2970 or email academy@firststage.org.

First Stage Children's Theater is Milwaukee's premier, professional family theater. Founded in 1987, the mission of the company is to provide professional Theater Productions for young people and their families that engage, enlighten and entertain, Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills and dynamic in-school education programs that provide learning through theater. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

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