Media Theatre's New Dance Classes Begin Later This Month

Get ready to dance! The Media Theatre is expanding its curriculum to include Tap and Ballet classes. They'll take place at the new School and Dance Studio just two-and-a-half blocks from the theatre where Media Music Theatre Company thrives as the producing organization of all Broadway Series productions, Youth Series shows, and educational opportunities. The Studio is at 28 West State Street, right in the center of Media borough near the Plumstead Mall. Classes begin the week of Monday April 27.

With a second highly visible location in Media, The Media Theatre will be able to provide a re-invigorated education program with new classes, instructors, and plenty of opportunity for those who have a passion for dancing, singing, and acting.

Rachel Beiswenger will instruct the Billy Elliot Ballet Classes, with Nicole Calabrese teaching Tap. Both have an extensive resume in dance and performance and both have highlighted their dance capabilities in productions at The Media Theatre.

Beiswenger has been training since the age of four at Chester Valley Dance Academy under the direction of Cathy Bartelmo-Moran. During her 14 years there, she became highly knowledgeable within several forms of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. She continued training at Towson University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. At Towson she worked with Juan Carlos Blanco, Carlos Danaan, Stephanie Powell, Vincent Thomas, Dion Wilson, and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell. After graduating, she continued to pursue her love and passion for dance and musical theatre. She's been seen on The Media Theatre stage in "The Addams Family", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and is currently in "Hello Dolly" working with Broadway's Tony nominated actress Andrea McArdle. She's also appeared at Bristol Riverside, Granbury Operahouse, New Candlelight Theatre, and The Walnut Street Theatre.

Calabrese started dance training at The Starmaker School of the Performing Arts based in Flemington, NJ. She studied at the Mill Ballet School becoming a member of The Roxey Ballet, a resident professional dance company. She's also trained at Montclair State University, American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, and the Paul Taylor Winter Intensive. While a student at The Mill, she had the opportunity to perform in "The Nutcracker", "Pied Piper of Hamlin", "Cinderella" and other shows. She's taught at The Mill Ballet School, Stuart Country Day School, Grace Theatre Project, Downtown Performing Arts Center, Roxey Ballet, and Ballet Academy East. As the resident choreographer for Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, NJ, her work was seen in "Hairspray", "Crazy For You", "Mame", "Bye Bye Birdie", and "The Pajama Game". She's choreographed for Bucks County Playhouse, Downtown PAC, Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre, and Town and Country Players. As well as being a teacher/choreographer she has appeared onstage at the Media Theatre in productions of "Mame", "Joseph...Dreamcoat", and the current "Hello Dolly!" Audiences have also enjoyed her at Bucks County Playhouse, Candlelight Theatre, Eagle Theatre, Pocono Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, and Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre.

The schedule for the Dance Classes offered by The Media Theatre is:
TAP 1....Mon, Fri 4-5pm; also Wed, Thu 5-6pm; and Sat, Sun 10-11am
TAP 2....Mon, Fri 5-6pm; also Sat. 11am to Noon; and Sun. Noon to 1pm
BILLY ELLIOT BALLET CLASS...Mon, Tues, Fri 6-7:30pm (ends at 7:15 on Fridays); also Wed, Thu 6-7pm; and Sun. 1-2pm

The Billy Elliot Ballet Class is named after the Tony winning musical which is symbolic of Ballet's inclusivity of male and female dancers. Tap 1 is for those who are beginning or still need to hone their technique before achieving Tap 2, which is for those with a bit more experience.

Classes are $12 each, and must be purchased in groups of 10 each. You may purchase a $120 dance card, which will be punched each time a class is attended. After 10 classes, simply re-register for the next 10 classes. Once registered with a dance card, enrollees may attend any classes until their dance card is 'full'.

You may register by calling 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

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