Registration for Playhouse on Park's Season Nine Education Programming is now open! We've added some fun new courses to our curriculum, available to children in grades K-8.
Creative Kids (Grades K-2) teaches children to learn the basics of theater through creative play. Exercises and games will focus on acting, storytelling, puppetry, music, and movement. By the end of the class, students will be able to use their bodies and voices to start to create characters. Puttin' on a Show (Grades 1-3) is geared more towards the process of putting together a script and a performance utilizing the fundamentals that our students have previously gained from the CREATIVE KIDS class. Children will continue to study theatre through creative play. Exercises and games will focus on acting, storytelling, puppetry, music, and movement. Tori Mooney returns to teach both of these classes, which are held every Monday starting on September 11.
Acting and Puppetry (Grades 2-5) allows students to gain comfort and technique in portraying a character onstage. Students will both learn about puppets and create puppets to work with during the program. Topics will include basic scene work, storytelling, puppetry, and movement. Students will be challenged to create characters while utilizing both their bodies and their puppets. Shakespeare for Kids (Grades 3-5) will be an introduction to one of the greatest playwrights who ever lived. Students will dive into topics, text and discussions regarding kid-friendly Shakespearian text. Topics will include basic scene work, storytelling, puppetry, and movement. Emily Santarsiero returns to teach these classes, which are held every Tuesday starting on September 5.
Wednesdays feature Film, TV, and Commercials (Grades 2-5) and Improvisation (Grades 3-5). Film, TV and Commercials introduces kids to the world of portraying a character both on and off camera through basic scene work, games, and movement. Students will be filmed throughout the class. Media exercises will include: news anchor, weather reports, news releases, public announcements, commercial monologues, commercial scenes, and film auditions/sides. In Improvisation, students will often be given vague scenarios to complete utilizing only their creative skills and knowledge of improvisation. Students will learn how to be able to say "YES" in any improvisational situation. Emily Santarsiero returns to instruct these two classes, starting on September 6.
Actor Performance Training Program (Grades 6-8) is for middle school students who are interested in improving their acting and performance technique. This class will be broken into three units to allow for in-depth study of various acting topics. Students will first study improvisation and ensemble building, then will move on to an in-depth study of creating a character using techniques for voice and body. For the final unit, students will be asked to incorporate what they have learned throughout the year into a devised theatre piece. Emily Santarsiero instructs this class which takes place every Thursday, starting on September 7.
For a full listing of dates, pre-requisites, and fees, please visit our website
www.playhouseonpark.org and navigate to the Education page. Registration forms may be found online as well. You may also register by calling our Box Office at
860-523-5900 x10. Playhouse on Park is located on 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.
