Theatre at the Center Sets Education Through Theatre Summer Workshops

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, Northwest Indiana's only professional theatre, will host sensational summer workshops for young theater enthusiasts. The workshops will not only provide professional instruction on acting, singing, choreography and theatre, but will help students build their public speaking skills and confidence by using more nontraditional, artistic teaching methods. The workshops for summer 2014 will begin in June through July.

CREATIVE DRAMA: Do you have a little performer at home? Actors of all abilities and experience will develop their theatrical skills through participating in movement, imagination and character development while acting out a favorite story in this fun-filled summer workshop . . . gaining numerous life skills including: team building, self-expression, listening, seeing, hearing, feeling, problem-solving, creating, sharing, respecting and discovery - proving that theatre skills are skills for life! The workshop will end on the TATC mainstage, providing the actors the opportunity to perform on a professional stage in front of an audience.

For students ages 5 - 7, instructed by Patty Bird. Workshop runs Monday through Friday, June 16 - June 27, 2014, from 930am - 11:30am. Tuition - $260

SHOWS FROM SCRATCH; This workshop is a must for any young writer and/or performer looking for a creative expression. In this workshop, students will work with their directors to create an original short play featuring a character of their own imagination. The emphasis of this workshop is on each student's personal character creation and ensemble contribution to the story conception. Students will develop and enhance many theatre skills including: writing, casting, costuming and performance. The workshop will end by providing the students the opportunity to see their script brought to life on the TATC mainstage!

For students ages 8 - 12, instructed by Patty Bird and Peyton Daly. Runs Monday through Friday, June 16 - June 27, 2014 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Tuition - $260

For students ages 13 - 18, instructed by Patty Bird and Peyton Daly. Runs Monday through Friday, June 16 - June 27, 2014 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Tuition - $260

SHAKESPEARE SHENANIGANS: Students will embark on a journey of imagination and discovery with this fun-filled Shakespeare workshop. Over the course of two weeks, students will explore the crazy characters and create their own unique spin of one of Shakespeare's most beloved works. This workshop is designed for young actors who love to perform and the grand finale will be one magical weekend! Students will not only have performance on the TATC stage - but they will also join dozens of actors from throughout Northwest Indiana - and take to the stage at the University of Notre Dame, as part of their summer Shakespeare Festival. These performances are sure to inspire and delight the entire family.

For students ages 7 - 18, instructed by Patty Bird. Runs Monday through Friday, July 7 - July 19, 2014 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Tuition - $260

FROM BOY BANDS TO BROADWAY: Students will create their own musical review of their favorite pop band and Broadway hits. From One Direction to Once on This Island, students will sing and dance in fully choreographed musical numbers and use improve workshops to write scenes linking them together. This camp additionally teaches various theatre fundamentals in a professional theatre environment. It is sure to be a positive, creative and rewarding experience for all involved!

For students ages 8 - 13, instructed by Kathleen Gibson and Alex McCrary. Runs Monday through Friday, July 7 - July 18, 2014 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Tuition - $275

There is limited space available for all workshops, so early registration is recommended. Tuition for the two week workshops range from $260 - $275. To register and for more information, please visit our website at TheatreAtTheCenter.com (Education through Theatre).

NEW THIS SEASON, acting scholarships are now available for students interested in participating in Theatre at the Center's Education through Theatre program. Downloadable application forms and scholarship information is available at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Patty Bird is an accomplished actress, instructor and director. She received her B.A. in Theatre/Television Arts, concentrating in Elementary Education and English. Patty has been with Theatre at the Center for over six years and has been teaching, acting and directing for over 20 years. She received several NIETF lead actress nominations and her favorite directing credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS, FUDDY MEERS, JUNGALBOOK and GO, DOG. GO!.

Peyton Daly has been a faculty member of The Second City since 2003. She has performed extensively on stage as well as in film and as a voice-over artist. She recently wrote and directed her second one-act play called VOICES OF THE PAST. She has also co-written and mounted sketch reviews and has been on a number of improvisational teams around Chicago. She currently performs in the improve duo, The Daley Reome.

Kathleen Gibson has been teaching piano and voice for the past 8 years. Kathleen holds a bachelor of music from DePaul University where she studied opera. She is an accomplished singer and actresses performing in musicals around Chicago and has had the pleasure of appearing in five productions at Theatre at the Center. Kathleen focuses on teaching a solid foundation of good technique, and understanding of music theory, and the ability to read musical notation that can be applied to all genres of music.

Alex McCrary has spent the past six years as a professional actor and choreographer in Chicago. Before that Alex attended Columbia College Chicago where he earned his degree in musical theatre. He has worked as a director and choreographer with Big Noise Theatre and the Humble Theatre collective in Houston Texas.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

For more information and/or to register for Theatre at the Center's summer workshops, please visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com (Education through Theatre).

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