Surfside Youth Players Returns this January

Surfside Players, Cocoa Beach, is proud to introduce our new Youth Players director, Ms. Maggie Hessinger. Maggie comes to us with over 11 years of experience in Children's Theatre. Formerly the Tech Director for Titusville Playhouse, she directed their Children's Summer Camps for over three years. Maggie will be assisted by Mikilin Pearson and Heather Shadrick.

In a world where TV and film are pushing our children to grow up far too quickly, it is important to keep children in groups of their peers. There is, perhaps, a no more powerful tool than THEATRE to reach children. It taps into a child's natural instinct to explore by pretending. Through theatre, all children are equal and free to explore. Theatre helps a child to grow in the following ways:

*improves communication skills
*gives an opportunity to express oneself
*helps develop critical thinking
*encourages cooperation with others
*helps develop moral and spiritual values
*helps a child explore oneself
*helps develop sensitivity and understanding
*provides a safe and welcoming environment
*offers one-on-one attention
*fosters peer acceptance and self-worth

A child's dreams are the foundation of his or her future life!

With our new director and staff, The Youth Players will resume its semester programs in 2011. The format has changed slightly; classes are divided into Grade 3-5 and Grade 6-8, each meeting once a week for 14 weeks. Tuition is $220 per student and includes a class T-shirt. Details are below; for more information and to register, contact Robin Pena, 321-626-1343, robattila@aol.com.

3rd - 5th Grade Class: Tuesdays 3:30 - 5:00 PM, January 11 - April 12
Class limited to 21 students

Class will be divided into 3 groups of 7. There will be (3) 25 minute sessions during each class, to make the most of children's shorter attention spans. This group will learn and experience:

Improv
Theatre Games
Acting
Projection and Articulation
Song and Dance
Play Production
Stage Etiquette

6th - 8th Grade Class: Thursdays 3:30 - 5:15 PM, January 13 - April 14
Class limited to 25 students

Class will be divided into 3 groups. There will be (3) 30 minute sessions during each class. This group will learn and experience:

Improv
Theatre Games
Acting
Voice and Diction
Song and Dance
Play Production
Audition Techniques
Character Development
Stagecraft
Scenic Design
Costuming
Makeup

To get to Surfside Playhouse from the mainland, take 528 or 520 Eastbound to A1A southbound; or, take 192 or Pineda Causeway to A1A northbound. Drive into Cocoa Beach and turn west on Fifth Street South. For box office information call (321) 783-3127; for Youth Players registration call Robin Pena at (321) 626-1343.

WHO: Surfside Youth Players
WHAT: Spring Educational Programs

WHEN: January 11 - April 14, 2011
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 (3rd-5th grade)
Thursdays, 3:30-5:15 (6th-8th grade)

WHERE: Surfside Playhouse
Corner of Brevard Ave and Fifth Street South
Cocoa Beach, FL

MORE INFO: (321) 783-3127 or info@surfsideplayers.com
Also visit our website, www.surfsideplayers.com

Surfside Players is a community theatre dedicated to the performing arts through productions, presentations, education and outreach.
Surfside Players programs are sponsored in part by: The State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs through the Florida Arts Council; Brevard County Board of County Commissioners through Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc.; the Boeing Corporation; Boeing Employee Community Fund; Florida Arts License Plate revenue; Cocoa Beach Optimist Club; Bright House Networks, Publix Super Markets Charities; Community Foundation of Brevard; Brevard Business News; The Margaret Heins Foundation; Coastal Directory Company, corporate sponsors, members and contributors.

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