Des Moines Community Playhouse Summer Class Registration Now Open

Registrations are now being accepted by the Des Moines Community Playhouse for its summer theatre classes for young people, kindergarten through grade 12. Courses will be held weekly, June 4-Aug. 17.

Classes for kindergarten through grade 2 utilize children's natural abilities to become the characters they hear about in the stories they love. Classes foster listening and cooperative skills, as well as individual expression. Fun in the Emerald City takes students down the yellow brick road to discover the characters and songs of Oz. Other classes available for this age group include Kettlecorn Players, Playhouse TV: My First Commerical, and Judy Moody Week.

Classes for students in grades 3-8 use the activity of putting on a play or a series of scenes to explore performance. Kids Acting Company is a summer tradition at The Playhouse. Actors audition, rehearse, and perform a play to learn how to polish skills. This year's production is "Yearbook," a series of scenes and monologues that highlight the humor, determination, and challenges that exist in every school. Other classes available for this age group include collaborations with the State Historical Museum, Des Moines Art Center, and Blank Park Zoo; Dangerous Boys and Daring Girls; Broadway Bound; and Playhouse Mystery Week.

Teens have the opportunity to sharpen their acting skills and explore character development and musical training. The Playhouse's Performance Academy, an intensive, four week class, includes master classes in everything from auditions to voice development, all while rehearsing the musical "Fame, Jr." "Fame, Jr." will have public performances in early August. TV Terror gives teenage actors the opportunity to develop horror acting skills through stories from the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. In addition to classes, teens can also interview for The Playhouse's pre-intern program (PIP). PIPs will assist with classes as well as work backstage for productions of "Pinkalicious" and "Fame, Jr."

The Playhouse is also offering Improvisation for the Child with Autism. This class develops socialization skills by using theatre games and role-playing. Student directed scenes promote conflict resolution and help with handling rejection and other stressful situations.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

Descriptions of the nearly 50 classes being offered are available online at dmplayhouse.com. Brochures are available at the theatre and by request.

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