Classes in Improv, Acting, Creative Writing and More Set for The Burt Reynolds Institute, Summer 2014

Donna Carbone, Managing Director of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre (the Institute), announced the summer lineup of classes and shows to be held at the Lake Park Mirror Ballroom, inside the Lake Park Town Hall.

Back by popular demand... Side by Side, a weekly improvisation class in which adults and children tickle each other's funny bones by saying and doing the unexpected. Beginning Saturday morning, July 12, at 10:00 am, this unique offering will train adults and youngsters to work together on stage and in life.

Taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, budding and experienced comedians ranging in age from eight to 80 will have an opportunity to improve their impromptu speaking and acting skills. Vittum has been teaching improv for many years and is himself an experienced performer. He has designed innovative scenarios that make the imagination come alive. Under his excellent tutelage, laughter and learning go hand in hand. Adults: $25.00/week and Kids: $15.00/week.

On August 12 at 7:30 pm, well-known Broadway star and cabaret singer Avery Sommers directs Cabaret Showcase - an evening of scenes and songs from popular and much-loved shows. All of the performers in the Showcase were trained by Sommers in her six-week Cabaret Camp. Many are new to live performance but, thanks to Sommers' excellent training, they are now dreaming of "strutting their stuff" on the Great White Way. Tickets are $10.00. Seating is limited. Call now and spend a hot summer evening cooling off with Avery Sommers and some very talented performers.

Creative Writing for the Author in all of Us is a weekly offering for everyone with a story to tell. Whether you are writing a novel, short narrative, screenplay, stage play or poem, if words are your oxygen, this is the class for you. Under the instruction of author/journalist Donna Carbone, the class utilizes a supportive "think tank" structure. Each week writers present their work, which is read and shared with the class. Critiques... both positive and negative... are offered as a means of moving a story from conception to completion. The class meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Lake Park Commission Chambers. Cost: $25.00/week.

Fundamentals of Acting (FOA) with Sherman Roberts continues to fill the Mirror Ballroom with actors at every level of expertise. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate performer or experienced actor, FOA will allow you to hone your craft in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. This is a scene study class in which students are expected to perform a ten minute scene on stage each week. Roberts, who is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA, has appeared in a variety of roles on stage, in film and on network television. He teaches student how to choose the right material, how to interpret dialogue so that the spoken word is true to what the author has written, character development and body language. The class meets every Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00 per week.

To register for classes and/or to purchase tickets to the Cabaret Showcase directed by Avery Sommers, call 561 743-9955. Seating is limited for all events. Advance registration for classes is suggested. The Lake Park Town Hall is located at 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, Florida. The Mirror Ballroom is on the third floor.

Photos and flyers by Amy Shulz.