Naked Shakespeare Performs in Monument Square 9/15

Acorn Productions begins its 2010/11 season of programming for the community with a pair of free offerings for adults and kids at the company's studios in Dana Warp Mill in Westbrook. The adult sessions will be held on Thursday, September 9th and Wednesday, September 15th from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Two sessions for kids also take place on Thursday, September 9th and Wednesday, September 15th from 4 to 5 p.m. All of Acorn's free workshops are taught by Producing Director Michael Levine, and they are designed to provide beginning and continuing actors with an introduction to the actor's craft, as well as a sense of what transpires during a full-length acting class. Students in the workshops participate in a series of acting games and theater exercises that will introduce them to many common acting terms. No experience necessary, but pre-registration is required. Interested students may sign up on line at www.acorn-productions.org or call Acorn's business office at 854-0065.

The Acorn Acting Academy starts its fall session of 8-week classes for kids and adults the week of September 20, 2010. This is the company's 4th year of offerings designed to allow people of all walks of life the chance to get involved in the performing arts. Acorn's mission is to nurture and develop new talent in the performing arts, and the four semesters of acting classes is one of the main vehicles the company uses to incubate new acting talent. All classes at the Acorn Acting Academy meet for eight sessions and are conducted by Levine, local Equity actress Stephanie, Ross, Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble member Keith Anctil, and improv comedienne Rachel Flehinger. Along with the popular beginning class Acting for Ordinary People, adults can choose from Interactive Acting, Simple Acting, Actors Toolbox, and Warming up to Cold Readings. Kids can choose from Intro to Acting, Scenes from Literature, and Actors Workshop, along with a new offering entitled Performance Lab that offers more advanced students a chance to work on the full production of a one-act play. Acorn is also pleased to offer the second year of the Young Actors Shakespeare Conservatory, a chance for teenagers to study with Naked Shakespeare actors to learn how to work with classic language on stage. A complete listing of classes appears below.

Students interested in more information about Acorn's classes can get information at Acorn's website www.acorn-productions.org or by calling the Acorn Studios at 854-0065. Registration fees vary from $100 to $175 for the eight-week classes, with a discount for returning students.