American Stage Announces Class Schedule for Spring 2011

American Stage Theatre Company's Education Department recently announced the classes for 2011. They will include beginner and advanced acting for teens, adult acting, playwriting for adults and children and the Mainstage lecture series.
Classes for Spring 2011

Adult Acting
This class provides an outlet for adults to explore what it means to be a stage actor regardless of previous experience. Students will learn techniques to relax and embody both mentally and physically, release inhibitions and improve speaking skills as well as the essentials of acting such as script analysis, character/relationship work, creating an ensemble and living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. The course culminates in a performance of scenes and monologues for invited guests.

Schedule - Mondays, February 14 - April 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
Instructor - Selena Ambush
Fee- $200 for subscribers - $225 for non-subscribers per semester

Playmaking for the Young Actor - Ages 8 -11
Once upon a time there was an amazing story just waiting to become an entertaining play. Along came a group of young actors with a heap of imagination and some playmaking know-how and... a rockin', rollin' play was born. Students will learn how to take a favorite story from the page to the stage. Exercises and activities in story improvisation, dramatic play and characterization will stimulate the creative thought and action needed to bring these stories to life. An informal presentation of the plays created in class will be shared with an invited audience at the end of this session.

Schedule - Saturdays, February 19 - April 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at American Stage
Instructor - Jean Calandra
Fee - $200 for subscriber families - $225 for non-subscribers

Teen Acting II - Ages 12-17
In this mid-level class students who have a basic understanding of stage acting will be introduced to the process of creating a role. Students will read a play to learn how its words, plot and characters can inform the choices an actor makes in developing a specific character. Select scenes from the play will be cast and rehearsed in preparation for a performance at the end of the semester.

Schedule - Saturdays, February 19 - April 30 from 12 to 2 p.m. at American Stage
Instructor - Jean Calandra
Fee - $200 for subscriber families - $225 for non-subscribers

Advanced Teen Acting - Ages 12-17
This advanced level acting class will challenge students with previous acting experience, helping them to take their skills to the next level. The class builds on basic stage knowledge by introducing students to a variety of Stanislavski-based skill sets such as the relationship-building techniques of Meisner, script analysis of Adler, Strasberg's Method and Hagen's Identity work. Students will also become familiar with physical and vocal warm-up techniques and exercises meant to remove inhibition and connect intellect, emotion and body. The class will culminate in a public showcase of the student's work. Placement in this class is by audition only. Auditions will be held at the theatre on Saturday, January 29 from 10am-12pm. To schedule an audition appointment, please call Meg Heimstead, the Director of Education,
at 727-823-1600 x 201.

Schedule - Saturdays, February 19 - April 30 from 10 to 12 p.m. at American Stage
Instructor - Selena Ambush
Fee - $200 for subscriber families - $225 for non-subscribers

Adult Playwriting
Write your own ten minute play! In this course, you will learn how to tell a story that is theatrical and produce-able as well as such playwriting craft elements as structure, plot, dialogue, setting, theme, scene development and format. Taught by producing artistic director and playwright, Todd Olson, this class will take your ideas from the page to the stage. All ten minute plays will receive a staged reading by professional actors as one of our Hot of the Press events.

Schedule - Thursdays, March 17-May 19, 2 to 4 p.m. at American Stage
Instructor - Todd Olson
Fee - $200 for subscribers - $225 for non-subscribers

Mainstage Lecture Series
Take your theatre going experience to the next level. American Stage Education is now offering a Mainstage lecture series to enhance your theatre going experience. Dedee Aleccia, a retired literature professor, will speak on the history of select plays in our season. Following her presentation, a member of the artistic staff will talk about their approach to the production being discussed. The lectures are free for subscribers and $5 for the general public. Lectures are on Sunday's from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at American Stage on the following dates:

Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM
Sunday, January 9th, 2011

WHO'S AFRAID OF Virginia Woolf?
Sunday, February 27th, 2011

RENT
April 3rd, 2011

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY AT THE CLAIR DE LUNE
Sunday, May 22, 2011

A STEADY RAIN
Sunday, July 10, 2011

For more information or to register for a class, go to the American Stage web site at americanstage.org or contact Meg Heimstead, the director of education, at 727-823-1600 ext. 201 or at mheimstead@americanstage.org.

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series in its brand new, 182-seat Raymond James Theatre each year. The theatre's other programming includes: American Stage in the Park, "After Hours" Series, Susan R. Hough Cabaret Series, School Tour and camps and classes for children. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor and Bank of America is the Education Partner.

 

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