On the first Sunday of every month, Berkeley Repertory Theatre provides free activities for local families. Its Family Series gives everyone an opportunity to play by focusing on a different theme each month. All workshops are held in the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre at 2071 Addison Street in downtown Berkeley, near bus lines, bike routes, and parking lots – and only half a block from BART.
Children, teens, parents, and grandparents all participate in these activities, forging bonds, learning teamwork, and nourishing a supportive and creative family environment. There is no cost to attend; Berkeley Rep suggests instead that each family bring a book, which will be given to the libraries at local schools. Last year alone, 150 books were donated to Rosa Parks Elementary School in Berkeley!
“At Berkeley Rep, we believe that theatre brings people together – and that anyone can create it, regardless of age or experience,” remarks Managing Director Susie Medak. “The Family Series allows us to share what we love with our community – at no cost to participants – and it allows parents and kids to share a fun afternoon with one another.”
The Family Series is held from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on the following dates:
* September 7 – Ensemble Adventure: Build bonds with loved ones and learn the art of working with others by diving into the world of play! Discover strange places, meet new people, and travel through time by exercising the power of imagination. Awaken the creativity inside to uncover funny walks, silly voices, and curious characters – as well as the tragically serious. Recommended for ages four and up
* October 5 – Fairy Tales Come True: Rediscover classic fairy tales such as Aladdin, Jack and Jill, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and the Three Little Pigs. Put a new spin on a familiar story – or create your own. Use theatre tools to portray villains, princesses, ogres, and kings. Climb castle walls, find jewels, and fight dragons – and, in true fairy-tale fashion, undergo an important transformation. Recommended for ages four and up.
* November 2 – Myths Come Alive: Explore the world of Greek mythology. Families face gods and giants, sea monsters and minotaurs, centaurs, sirens, and more. What lies behind these ancient tales? What myths and messages can we create for the world of today? Come get your Greek on! Recommended for ages four and up.
* December 7 – Discovering Dr. Seuss: Visit the wild and wacky world of Dr. Seuss. Master his rhymes, become his characters, and dive into the outrageous silliness of his universe. Families grow, laugh, connect, and enjoy – sharpening their skills and expanding their imaginations with this unique style of storytelling. Recommended for ages three and up.
* January 11 – Action for the Stage: Prepare to move and laugh by finding the actions that propel different characters through their tales. Discover how animals, people, masks, and trees – yes, even rocks – have their own rhythms and personalities. Free the body and dance into imagination. Recommended for ages four and up.
* February 1 – Language, Poetry, and Rhythm: Rediscover language by sampling hip hop and its power as a storytelling tool. Create characters that come from this fluid zone of rhymes, beats, and outrageous energy. Learn to play with words, rhythm, and movement to create truth on stage. Recommended for ages seven and up.
* March 1 – Art Sampler: Celebrate Art History Month with music, movement, painting, sculpture, and more. Uncover different ways of telling a story – then put them all together to turn the room into a giant collage. Recommended for ages four and up.
* April 5 – Fools, Clowns, and Jesters: Make merry this April – slide, fall, wander, chase, hop, strut, somersault, and jump along the whimsical path of the clown. Families play games that spark the imagination, tickle the funny bone, and provoke the jokester throughout history. It’s time for April’s fool! Recommended for ages four and up.
* May 3 – Target® Story Builders: Every year, Berkeley Rep brings this program to classrooms throughout the Bay Area – now Story Builders comes home to the Theatre. Bring a storybook to life in only 90 minutes. Parents and children work together as an ensemble using dialogue, physicality, and improvisation to create an original performance. Recommended for ages four and up.
* June 7 – Summer Fun: Learn how to turn a day at home into a day of laughter with family games, puppet-making, and more. Tell stories, develop acting skills, and make new friends. Slip into vacation mode with off-the-cuff fun that kids and parents can replay all summer long. Recommended for ages four and up.
The Berkeley Rep School of Theatre provides a wide array of programming for individuals of all ages. In addition to the Target ® Family Series, the School offers theatre classes for youth and adults; Target ® Story Builders, a drama workshop for elementary-school classrooms; the Student Matinee Series for middle- and high-school students; the Playmaking Project for high-school students and incarcerated youth; in-school residencies; teacher training; and a variety of outreach activities that encourage lifelong learning. The School also hosts the Teen Council, which allows youth to participate in all aspects of the dramatic process: on stage, backstage, and in front of the stage. Housed in the Nevo Education Center, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre is supported by the Mosse Foundation for Arts and Education. For more information, call 510.647.2973, e-mail school@berkeleyrep.org, or click
berkeleyrep.org.
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