Performance Network Theatre to Offer Spring Term Class Demo, 12/15

On Monday, December 15, from 7:30pm to 9pm the Network will offer a FREE Spring Term Class Demo for young people and adults alike. Meet the instructors who are seasoned professionals known and respected in and around Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit. Participate in a sampling of the classes being offered in March and April 2015: Voice and Movement, Monologues, Acting I and II, Scene Study, After School Boot Camp (13­18 year olds), Saturday Play Day (9­12 year olds), and Musical Theatre and Cabaret Master Class.

The demonstration is free and spots may be reserved by calling the box office at 734­663­0681. For more information on tickets and events at the Network or to donate, go to www.pntheatre.org or call the box office at 734­663­0681.

"We have something for everyone, a space for every actor," says Suzi Regan, the Network's Artistic Director and one of the teachers.

During the demo, teachers will conduct a sample class so participants can get a sense of what the classes will be like. There will be light refreshments and a meet and greet afterward with instructors such as Naz Edwards, Sandy Birch, Joey Albright, Bart Bund, Ruth Crawford, Beth Torrey, Kelly Komlen, John Manfredi, and Suzi Regan. Spring class sign up will also be available. Classes start at $300 for each eight­-week session.

Spring class descriptions are:

Voice and Movement­­a favorite­­is designed to connect bodies and voices more fully through movement and the Linklater technique for voice. This class is taught by Sandra Birch, beloved long time actor and teacher in the Metro Detroit area. Class is for all acting students on Mondays from 7­10pm beginning week of March 2.

Acting I is a dynamic introduction into the field of acting. Students will learn how to rehearse and improvise, build a character, make strong choices, and prepare for an audition, as well as examine the business of acting. This beginning level class is lead by Bart Bund. Class will be Thursdays from 7­10pm beginning week of March 2.

Acting II continues to work on process and craft that students may have learned in a beginning level acting class. This class will explore monologues and scene studies while challenging participants on how to ask better questions and learn to commit to the answers by becoming active listeners and living in the moment. Veteran actor and teacher, Joey Albright, will lead this intermediate level class. Class will be Tuesdays from 7­10pm beginning week of March 2.

Scene Study is designed for the experienced performer and will be an intense exploration of scene and partner work. Rehearsal outside of class and memorization are mandatory. Led by Sandra Birch, this is a class for advanced level students. Class will be Tuesdays from 7­10pm beginning week of March 2.

After School Boot Camp is designed for the serious 13­18 year old student. A script is hand picked specifically for the students who take the class. The Joey Albright and Sandy Birch team focuses on the rehearsal process with students and showcases a TBA performance of what the students arrive at over the 8 week period. Class will be Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 4­6pm beginning week of March 2.

Saturday Play Day is designed for the K­5 kids. Instructor Beth Torrey has been working with children in and out of the school setting for nearly 15 years having been certified to teach elementary ed. This class is for the young artist to experience the fundamentals of theatre in a fun and playful setting. Class will be Saturdays from 11am­1pm beginning week of March 2.

No Fear Monologue is a helpful class for actors needing to be put at ease and develop self­confidence in an audition setting. Attention to all auditioning aspects for stage and camera will be explored with special attention to cold readings. Kelly Komlen will lead this workshop for for all levels of acting students. Class will be Saturdays from 11­2pm beginning week of March 2.

Network teachers are some of the best in the area. Sandra Birch, a Performance Network Education Program Director, has been a professional actress for 34 years in both the States and her adopted home of Canada, where she trained and performed with Arete Physical Comedy Co. She also studied Linklater vocal technique with David Smukkler in Toronto. Naz Edwards is a Broadway actress and singer now living in Ann Arbor. She was last seen at the JET in "My Name is Asher Lev" and "Other Desert Cities," which she is thrilled to reprise at the Network this season. Joey Albright has worked as a professional actor since for 20 years and has been seen on almost every professional stage in the area and holds a BFA from Ohio State University. Bart Bund, founder of the Blackbird Theatre, has taught acting and dramatic writing for adults and children for over 20 years. Kelly Komlen has been an actress, stage manager, teacher, and director for nearly 15 years in the Detroit area. Kelly holds a BFA in acting from Wayne State and studied at the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia.

For information on tickets and events at the Network or to donate, go to www.pntheatre.org or call the box office at 734­663­0681. Performance Network Theatre is located at 120 E. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104.

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