Paper Mill Expands Theatre School for Fall 2014

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) one of the country's premier not-for-profit theaters, is the place where American musical theater is celebrated, cherished, and pushed in exciting new directions, is pleased to announce a wide array of classes and performance opportunities for actors of all ages this fall. There is still time to sign up for the diverse Theatre School offerings which begin mid-September. For more information or to register for Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre Classes, please e-mail Mickey McNany at MMcNany@papermill.org or visit Paper Mill's website www.papermill.org for the registration form.

Paper Mill Playhouse was recently voted 'Favorite Place to Take an Arts Class' in the annual People's Choice Awards. "It's not surprising considering Paper Mill's inclusive nature, its commitment to education, and the caliber of professionals that devote their time and passion to Paper Mill Playhouse," stated Lisa Cooney, Paper Mill's Director of Education.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre School invites students of any age to enroll in new classes where they will train with some of the state's most talented professionals.

Back by popular demand is the Theatre Tots class which is an introduction to the world of theater for our youngest students, children and their caregivers. Instructors will use music, movement, and improvisation to create fun-loving characters and bring stories to life. This class meets for 18 weeks on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:30 am - 10:15 am.

The Story Book Theatre class is a wonderful introduction to the world of theater for the imaginative child and brings favorite fairy tales and characters to life through music, movement, and pretend play. This class is specifically designed for 5 year olds and meets on Tuesday's from 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm and on Friday's from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

In Paper Mill Playhouse's Scenes and Songs class students will work with scenes and songs from contemporary and classic Musical Theatre pieces to develop characters and tell a story through song. The class meets on Monday evenings from 6:15 pm- 7:15 pm.

Our Acting for the Camera class serves as an introduction to acting for television and film and leads students through the commercial audition process. The class meets on Monday's from 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm for performers ages 9-11 and from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm for performers ages 12-15.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Acting and Improv class is a fun-filled introduction to theater for the novice actors. Theater games and improvisation exercises increase performance skills, awaken creativity, and encourage students to work with others to accomplish common goals. The class meets on Wednesday's from 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm for performers ages 9-11 and from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm for performers ages 12-15.

In collaboration with VSA-NJ, an organization which provides a wide array of arts programming for children and adults with all types of disabilities, our Theatre for Everyone class will include theater improvisation, storytelling, music, movement, and some visual art. The series will creatively address and include diverse learning styles and modes of communication. The class meets on Friday evenings from 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm.

Paper Mill's Musical Theatre Workshop teaches young performers how to interpret and connect to the lyrics to tell the story in the song. Selection of appropriate material for auditions and performance will be stressed, along with basic vocal technique and breath control. The available times and during of the sessions depend on the performers age. For information on times for our workshop, please contact Michelle Tempkin at mtempkin@papermill.org.

In addition to children and young adult classes, the Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre School offers many classes for adults.

Among the adult class offerings is Adult Acting, an eight-week course held on Saturdays from 11:15 am - 12:30 pm, suitable for those from all walks of life. "Paper Mill's Adult Theater Classes are perfect for those who have always wanted to give acting a try, to those simply seeking to polish presentation skills and gain experience and comfort in front of audience," says Mickey McNany, Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre School Director. "Surprise yourself!"

Paper Mill Playhouse's Theatre School will offer the Paper Mill Playhouse Community Chorus this fall. The company meets for ten weeks on Monday evenings from 7:30 pm - 9:30pm, and will culminate in a showcase performance as well as touring opportunities. Holiday, contemporary songs, standards and Broadway tunes will be part of the repertoire this year. A special discounted rate of $49 is now available until September 1, 2014. See a video sample of the Paper Mill Playhouse Community Chorus here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWEyTLBzaTM

Paper Mill's Theatre School will also offer a Musical Theatre Audition Workshop which meets for eight weeks on Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:00 am. In the workshop, adults will learn the tools beyond musical phrasing that will help them connect with a song, develop the point of view that makes a performance compelling and assess a song both in and out of show context.

The newest addition to Paper Mill Playhouse's adult theatre school offerings is the Intergenerational Theatre Workshop. The Intergenerational Theatre Workshop pairs together young teens, adults and seniors in scenes from renowned theater pieces for 18 weeks, leading up to an evening of presentations for friends, family and theatre professionals. This class meets on Monday evenings from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

Seniors can enjoy the popular Senior Players Workshop which explores all aspects of theater performance and production through a group-selected, one-act play. The Senior Players Workshop will meet on Tuesday's from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm for twenty weeks. At the end of the workshop, there will be an informal performance.

In addition to group classes, Paper Mill also offers private vocal coaching sessions for singers of all ages. Our private vocal coaching sessions help singers learn breath control and vocal placement in a nurturing one-to-one environment. Exercises are used to strengthen and protect the voice. Both popular and musical theater songs are rehearsed. The available times and during of the sessions depend on the individuals need. For information on private coaching, please contact Michelle Tempkin at mtempkin@papermill.org.

The Adult Acting course will be taught by Tom Frascatore, a theatre coach and director with twenty years' experience in the theatre including such productions as The Taming of the Shrew at the Homdel Theater Co. in Holmdel, NJ, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, RENT, The Producers, and High School Musical at Phoenix Productions in Red Bank, NJ, and The Misanthrope and Woyzeck at the Serious Stage Company in New York, New York.

The Intergenerational Theatre Workshop will be taught by Mr. Ed Schiff, a veteran of five decades as a professional actor, playwright, director, producer and teacher. Mr. Schiff welcomes seniors and adults to interact with teens and pre-teens in short plays as part of the Paper Mill Playhouse's new Intergenerational Theatre Workshop.

For more information or to register for Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre Classes, please e-mail Mickey McNany at MMcNany@papermill.org or visit Paper Mill's website www.papermill.org for the registration form.

Funding for Paper Mill Playhouse Education & Outreach is also provided by MetLife Foundation.

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theaters. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.