THEATRIKIDZ! - Musical Theatre Classes for Kids K-5 at the York March 28-June 13

The York Theatre Company presents TheatriKidz!, a brand new, 10-week, process-based musical theatre classes at the York Theatre, for elementary school children grades K-5, from March 28 – June 13. TheatriKidz will help children develop musical theater skills (acting, singing, dancing), as well as teamwork skills, problem solving, self-esteem and cooperative learning. All classes will be held on Monday afternoons at the York's home at Saint Peter's, Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street).

The program will include classes in acting, singing and dancing, and will be structured to teach a specific music theater skills which will then be used in preparation for the final presentation. Songs will be staged and choreographed, and students will create dialogue through improvisation and character development. The session will culminate with a presentation on the final class day, on the stage at the York Theatre, open to friends and family.

Tammy Holder (Head Teaching Artist) has been an Arts Educator for the past 15 years. Tammy works as a teaching artist in NYC public schools for TADA! and teaches for City Lights. Tammy is also an accomplished music director here in NYC as well as all over the country. Credits include: Theaterworks USA, Cortland Rep., Downtown Cabaret, Wohlfahrt Haus, Michael Herzlin Productions, Broadway Palm, Bristol Valley, Surflight and national tours of Gigi, Can Can and West Side Story.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City – and one of very few in the world – dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For more than three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. More than 20 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals – The Musical!, Jolson & Company, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Its hit production of Souvenir was developed in the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series, where the current Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, Avenue Q, also started.

The cost of the 10-week program is $375 per child; deadline for application is March 18, 2005. For information, contact Brian Blythe at 212 953-5824, ext 18.