American Stage Announces 2014 Spring Youth Classes

American Stage Education is proud to offer acting classes for youth ages 5-18. 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.

Creative Storytelling II - 5-7 year olds

Explore the wonder of your imagination! Children will enjoy using their bodies and voices in creative ways to re-imagine scenes from their favorite stories. They will learn the three essential tools of the actor's trade and put them into practice through the invention of their own characters. Activities will include creative drama games that encourage use of the five senses, interpretive movement and pantomime. The class will end with an informal presentation of the stories explored in class. This final showcase performance will be on Saturday, April 19th.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Spring - Saturdays, February 1 - April 19 -10am-11:30am at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Teaching Faculty
Tuition - $230

Story Theatre - 8 - 10 year olds

In this popular class students will learn how to shape stories that are based in narrative writing into entertaining Story Theatre plays. Story Theatre is unique in its presentation because performers play multiple roles; a storyteller can transform into a character and back into storyteller as the play unfolds. It's magic, it's fun and it's a great challenge for the young actor. The Story Theatre plays that students create will be performed for an invited audience at the end of the class. This final showcase performance will be on Saturday, April 19th.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Spring - Saturdays, February 1 - April 19 -10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Teaching Faculty
Tuition - $250

Page to Stage - 11 - 13 year olds

What is it that inspires an actor to give a brilliant performance? How does an actor use the words on a page to create magic on the stage? Students in this class will find answers to these questions and more by reading select scenes and discovering how the dialogue, plot and characters can inform and stimulate an actor's creativity on stage. This basic introduction to scene study will help students develop an organized approach to working with a script and learn how to fight towards their character's goal. At the end of this class students will perform select scenes for an invited audience. This final showcase performance will be on Saturday, April 19th.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Spring - Saturdays, February 1 - April 19 -10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Teaching Faculty
Tuition - $250

Advanced Teen Acting - Ages 14-18

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. 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, January 11 from 12-2pm. 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. Once a student has been accepted into the program, they do not need to audition again for subsequent semesters.

Schedule: 12 weeks
Spring - Saturdays, February 1 - April 19 -10am-12:00pm at American Stage
Instructor - American Stage Teaching Faculty
Tuition - $260

Students must call 727-823-1600 x 201 to enroll over the phone.

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

For more information or enroll over the phone, please call Meg Heimstead, the Director of Education, at 727-823-1600 x 201 or email her at mheimstead@americanstage.org.