Registration for First Stage Theater Academy’s Summer Sessions Now Open

Registration for First Stage Theater Academy summer sessions is now open.  One, two, three and four-week sessions begin Monday, June 18, 2012 and run through Friday, August 10, 2012.  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 for the Arts, 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 ranging from $145 to $595.   

One week half-day sessions are available for students entering grades K5 through 2 in the fall.  These students will participate in Story Drama, in which they will bring a story to life through taking on exciting characters and colorful worlds.  Students explore motivations, choices and actions through creating dialogue and improvising scenes. 

Students entering first and second grade in the fall can participate in one-week full-day sessions called “Playmakers.”  Half of the day is spend building performance skills; the other half of the day is spent using creative drama to adapt a story into his or her own theatrical masterpiece.  Throughout the week, “Playmakers” will give students a chance to perform as well as explore their own imagination.  Each session explores a different theme; themes include “Globe Trekkers,” “Super Heroes!” and “Once Upon a Time.” 

Students entering third and fourth grade in the fall can choose between full-day one or two-week sessions, which explore an Introduction to Acting, Voice and Movement, and Musical Theatre.  

Students entering fifth through 12^th grades in the fall can choose full-day two, three or four-week sessions.  Each day begins with a “Beginning of Day” session – an all-Academy gathering to prepare for the work and the adventures of the day.  Curriculum throughout the day includes:  Improvisation; Acting Theory/Movement; Shakespeare/Voice; and Musical Theater.  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. 

Extended supervision for full-day participants entering grades K5 through 4 is available for classes at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.  Extended supervision will be available Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.; cost is $75 per week in addition to the class tuition.  

Advanced students entering grades eight through 12 have the opportunity to audition for the Company Class, the advanced training program of the Theater Academy.  Classical, Contemporary and Musical Theater Company Class programs at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center are available along with Classical Company Class at the Oconomowoc Arts Center and Musical Company Class at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.  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 an audition. 

For the second consecutive 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 a leading Chicago-area theatre.           

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 and supported” Maclay continued. 

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

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