MET's Ensemble School Announces Registration & Open House

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to announce its winter schedule of classes for The Ensemble School which includes a new student performance ensemble called the MET Youth Ensemble. The MET will be holding an Open House on January 26 from 4:30 - 6:00pm. The Open House will offer prospective students the chance to meet the instructors and see the theatre and classrooms.

Taught by working actors, the Ensemble School is a training ground for professional and aspiring actors. The school focuses on giving actors the training, knowledge and experience that benefits all working actors. In addition the MET is adding a performance element to The Ensemble School for the first time with the MET Youth Ensemble. The Youth Ensemble will give students the opportunity to put their training to the test when it culminates with productions open to the public on May 19 and 20. The Youth Ensemble class will be open to students between the ages of 10 and 17 and this semester only students will not have to audition. The MET Youth Ensemble is ideal for students that are currently training at the MET or have previous experience. Ensemble School Director Gené Fouché said, "We're especially excited to be able to provide our students a platform by which they can take the skills they have been acquiring in class and use them in performance. We have a really talented core of students who are eager to work -- we're pleased to be able to give them the chance."

Aside from the MET Youth Ensemble there are five Youth Classes. Acting Out (ages 7-9) taught by Melissa Baughman will feature games and exercises that build self confidence and encourage the creative mind. This class has a rotating curriculum, so returning students will continue to be challenged. Mellisa Baughman, a director with Landless Theatre Company, will also teach Performance Skills (ages 10 -12) and direct the MET Youth Ensemble.
Teen Improv (ages 13 -17) will be taught by Caitlyn Joy, a veteran of the Ensemble School and a graduate of the Theatre program at Towson. Veteran actor Jeff Keilholtz will teach Teen Acting (ages 13 -17) which will leave students with the skills to tackle any role they may encounter. And the last of the classes available to younger actors is Musical Theatre (ages 8 - 12) taught by Shannon Hamilton, a regular performer in DC who holds a MA in Music Education.

The Ensemble School will be offering two classes for adults. Adult Improv will be taught by MET Artist Director, Tad Janes, and Adult Acting will be taught by the Director of Education for The Ensemble School, Gené Fouché. The Adult Improv classes will explore both short and long form improv and the Adult Acting course will assist students in preparing for any role.

All classes are 12-week sessions and begin on or after February 7. All classes are limited to 12 students and meet once a week.

For over a decade, Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs. The MET is an artistic leader in the region and at the forefront of the creation of Frederick's Theater District.

For more information on The Ensemble School including class schedules and tuition rates please visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

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