American Stage Theatre Announces Fall 2013 Youth Classes

American Stage Education is proud to offer year round acting classes for youth ages 5-17. With a focus on developing the student's performance skills, creativity, and self-confidence we have classes for the beginning actor as well as for advanced performers. Each class meets once a week for 12 weeks, allowing students the opportunity to get a truly in-depth experience. Lessons and final showcase pieces change each semester. Classes are designed to be taken year after year. See the difference that theatre can make in your child's life!

For more information or if you are having problems enrolling online, contact Meg Heimstead, the Director of Education, at 727-823-1600 x 201 or email her at mheimstead@americanstage.org.

2013 Fall Youth Classes
Creative Storytelling I - Ages 5-7
A simple story can become an exciting experience when children imagine themselves as "blackbirds baked in a pie", "trolls under the bridge" or "cats in a hat." Through activities based in creative drama, children in this class will be introduced to story dramatization. Each class will focus on a new story, with creative storytelling activities that use the visual arts (paper sculpture, drawing and collage) and music (programmatic music and tone poems) to stimulate creativity and artistic expression. The class will end with an informal presentation of the stories explored in class.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Fall - Saturdays, September 7 - November 23 -10am-11:30am at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Education Faculty
Tuition - $230

Playmaking for the Young Actor - Ages 8-10
Children in this class will enjoy learning how to create short plays that are inspired by their favorite stories. Activities and exercises that focus on the basic skills of acting, singing and dancing will help students create vibrant characters that are fun and challenging to perform. The class will end with an informal performance of the plays created in class.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Fall - Saturdays, September 7 - November 23 - 10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Education Faculty
Tuition - $250

Improvisation for Young Actors - Ages 11-13
Improvisation is an essential tool for an actor. It is a process that is based in the life of the imagination and can logically lead to a more truthful performance. In this class, students will learn how to use improvisation to explore character, define acting objectives, and gain a better understanding of the script. The activities and exercises used in class are designed to help the student develop confidence, creative expression, and authenticity in performance. Exercises and the scenes that students develop will be performed for an invited audience at the end of the class.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Fall - Saturdays, September 7 - November 23 - 10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Education Faculty
Tuition - $250

Advanced Teen Acting - Ages 12-17
This advanced level acting class will challenge students with previous acting experience, helping them to take their skills to the next level. Structured as a Master Class, topics of study will change each semester. This fall, focus will be on proper vocal techniques for the actor as well as on commonly used dialects. The class will culminate in a public showcase of the student's work.

Placement in this class is by audition only. Auditions will be held at the theatre on Saturday, August 24 from 10am-12pm. Students should prepare two contrasting monologues. To schedule an audition appointment, please call Meg Heimstead, the Director of Education, at 727-823-1600 x 201. Students already accepted into the class for a previous semester do not have to audition again.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Fall - Saturdays, September 7 - November 23 - 10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Education Faculty
Tuition - $260

*Classes subject to change and/or cancellation if fewer than 6 students enroll. Should this occur, your tuition will be fully refunded.

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