Media Theatre Adds New Acting and Voice Classes for 2016

With a New Year arriving soon, and spring not far behind, it's time to become reacquainted with the performing arts at The Media Theatre while having fun during the learning process. Several new acting and voice classes for tiny tots all the way to adults have been added to the continuing popular acting classes, with a rejuvenated schedule starting up the weekend of January 9.

Therese Walden Murphy joins the staff as an instructor of two "Cabaret" Voice Classes, as well as a new Adult Acting Class. Roger Ricker continues teaching acting for children and teens. There are a variety of classes listed below by age group.

Pre-School Age Acting: Theatre Magic January 13- March 16 (10 weeks). Wednesdays 10:30-11:30am. In the new class "Theatre Magic" pre-school children ages 3-5 experience the joy of imaginative play through theater games, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, movement, music and singing. They'll be encouraged and challenged to follow directions, learn listening skills, appreciate teamwork, and develop confidence, individuality, and social skills while having fun with new friends.

Classes for Grades K-3:

Level 1 Children's Class January 9- March 12 (10 weeks) . Saturdays 9-10am.

The Level 1 Children's Acting Class meets one hour each week and is a ten week course designed for ages 5-8. It focuses on Stage Direction, Working Together, Partnering Exercises, Volume and Diction, and eventually creating scenes. Students enjoy acting and learning exercises such as "Mirror Image", "Living Picture", and "Dig Dig Dig!" which explores individuality and self-expression. New acting and learning exercises are added from time to time to keep the class exciting and fresh while maintaining its core-value that "Acting is living as truthfully as one can under an imaginary circumstance."

Classes for Grades 4-6:

Level 2 Children's Class January 12- March 15 (10 weeks) Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm.

The Level 2 Children's Class for ages 8-11 or those with more stage experience builds upon the core values of Level 1. The course involves much more self-awareness than level one yet keeps its sense of fun. Everyone learns that 'the character is on the page, but the role is on the stage' in this class which means that the only actor is 'you' and you have the freedom to portray the role according to what the playwright puts on the page with the director or instructor's guidance.

Kids Cabaret January 12- March 1 (8 weeks) Tuesdays 4:30-6:00pm

"Kids Cabaret" will meet on Tuesdays from 4:30-6pm beginning January 12. The Voice Class is specifically designed for children in grades 3-5. The high energy class is all about Singing, Dancing, Acting and Fun! Performers create a cabaret style concert which is performed at the end of the 8-week session in a Grand Finale Recital for family and friends. Performers discover healthy vocal technique, master basic dance steps and learn to bring their personality to the stage while working together as a group rather than maintaining solos.

Classes For Teens:

Teen Acting Class January 10-February 28 (8 weeks) Sundays 6:00-7:30pm.

Being true to yourself is a main ingredient in the Teen Class. Students meet for 90 minutes per week for eight weeks with the option of doing scene work with a partner or a monologue. The class is broken up into time sections which also include improvisation, scene creation and study, and dialogue within the class about the work being done. The final week is an Open House in which family and friends are invited to see the work being done by the teens.

Teen Cabaret Voice Class January 12-March 1(8 weeks) Tuesdays 6:00-7:30pm.

Participants create a concert with all students performing a solo within the concert. The 8-week course meets Tuesdays beginning January 12 and culminates in a special Grand Finale Recital for family and friends. "Teen Cabaret" focuses on all aspects of performing a song: interpretation, healthy vocal technique, and breathing skills.

Classes For Adults:

Adult Acting Class (8 weeks) January 12-March 1 (8 weeks) Tuesdays 7:30-9pm.

The class explores improvisation plus basic Meisner and Stanislavsky techniques. The new Adult Acting Class will be a fusion class for actors of all levels, assisting both beginners and those who have made acting a career. This class will be a new approach.

All classes are $400 per semester (except for the New School which is a separate curriculum from our Acting Classes.) Call 610-891-0100 to register or visit mediatheatre.org

Pictured: Therese Walden Murphy, who will instruct several new classes at The Media Theatre

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