Water Works Theatre Company Announces Summer Classes

Water Works Theatre Company is now taking registrations for its outdoor summer educational programs held in Star Jaycee Park in Royal Oak. The theatre company's two programs, The Water Works Academy and KidsAct! offer unique opportunities for students from 1st grade through pre-college.

Water Works Academy is a one-week intensive for high school and pre-college students giving young actors the chance to create their own play in the park using a "summer stock" company approach. Working professionals will guide students as they embark on the tasks of writing, directing, stage managing, designing and performing a one-of-a-kind piece of theatrical magic on the Shakespeare stage in Starr Jaycee Park. The academy workshops will run July 30 - August 3 from 9am - 3pm. 

After selling out last summer, KidsAct! returns for its 10th season August 6-10 from 9am - 3pm. This exciting outdoor educational program gives performance-minded youngsters (entering grades 1-8) the summer dream of a lifetime. Water Works' professional staff will encourage natural confidence and inspire creative expression, helping students discover the basics of Shakespeare, safe stage combat, dance, improv and scene work. This is a one-of-a-kind performance workshop in an outdoor setting, culminating in a free-admission show on the Shakespeare In The Park professional stage.

Helming this year's Water Works Theatre Company educational programming is Frannie Shepherd-Bates. Shepherd-Bates has been delighted to work in educational theatre for Water Works Theatre Company, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus, Matrix Theatre, Royal Oak High School, the Roeper School, Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company and the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. She is very excited to be taking the reins of KidsAct! and the Water Works Academy this summer after teaching dance for the company for the last four years.

Early registration for the Water Works Academy and KidsAct! is $185 through April 30 and available now online at www.waterworkstheatre.com . Registration goes up to $200 after April 30.   

In additional to its educational programming, Water Works Theatre Company will present three productions during the 2012 Shakespeare In The Park event August 2-12. Henry V, directed by Sara Cathryn Wolf, will appear evenings August 2-12;  Water Works daylight family show, A Midsummer Night's Dream, August 4-12; and Summer Sonnets, a free show directed by JM Ethridge Saturday and Sunday afternoons, August 4,5,11 and 12. More show information including ticket prices (FREE - $20) and show schedules is available online at www.waterworkstheatre.com.  

Water Works Theatre Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre company that provides professional caliber experience to the emerging professional theatre artist. The company is proud to be presenting its 10th annual Shakespeare In The Park without the aid of local tax payer dollars. For more information log on to: www.waterworkstheatre.com.