Stephen Stahl to Join Downtown Performing Arts Center for Summer Classes

Lambertville, New Jersey's Downtown Performing Arts Center has announced a 6-week summer class schedule focusing on Teen and Adult Acting, Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary Dance. Classes will take place on Tuesday evenings between 5 pm and 8 pm from July 7 through August 11 at the Downtown Performing Arts Studios located at 54 Mt. Airy Village Rd. in Lambertville.

This 6-week intensive is designed for students of all skill levels. Classes, taught by performing arts professionals some of whom have had long standing relationships with the Downtown Performing Arts Center, will enhance performance techniques.

Teen and Adult Acting will be taught by Stephen Stahl. Stahl is an internationally renowned writer and director who received his early training at The Hedgerow Theatre under Jasper Deeter and Rose Schulman. He then moved to New York and studied with Lee Strasberg at the Actor's Studio. Stahl's workshops have helped numerous actors build the self assured courage needed to achieve successful characterization. Through exercises that include improvisation and vocal projection, students will learn how to properly embody a character and do so while at ease in front of an audience.

Stahl, a Bucks County native has had numerous theatrical and film successes both in the United States and abroad. Theater critics have dubbed him a "superb director who fills his work with sincerity and passion." For more than 30 years, Stahl has been delighting audiences with his powerful direction and writing as well as sharing his knowledge and experience with students of all ages.

In 2006 Mr. Stahl won the top award for "Best Director" and "Best Featured Thriller" for his film "Consequences" at the International Independent Film and Video Festival held in Los Angeles, New York City and Cannes, France. A favorite theatrical production is Lady Day which featured Tony-Award winning actresses Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tonya Pinkins, Hattie Winston and Ann Duquesnay. Stahl has directed, written for, produced and worked with such well-known talents as Patti LaBelle, Sandy Duncan, Jason Bateman, Phyllis Hyman, Evander Holyfield, Billy Joel, Kitty Kallen, Hall & Oates, Grant Shaud, Julie Gold, Joyce Heyser, Clint Holmes, Bobby Rydell, Peggy King, Divine, James Ingram, and Teddy Pendergrass.

Beginning and Intermediate Tap will be taught by Jill Palena. Jill has been performing leading roles at various venues throughout the region for over 15 years including the Bucks County Playhouse and Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre.

Tina DiMichele will head classes in Intermediate and Advanced Jazz and Contemporary Dance. Tina studied tap, ballet and jazz from the age of 7 with the Debra Sparks Dance Works in Philadelphia (now in Newtown) winning several awards and a scholarship to study at the Rock School. She graduated from NYU in 1997 with a degree in Dance Education and went on to choreograph, teach and perform in New York, Switzerland and Paris. She is a regular performer at the Open Air Theatre.

Advanced Tap and Intermediate Ballet will be taught by Sharon Rudda. Sharon holds a B.A. in Performing Arts with a focus on Ballet from La Roche College and further trained at Bravo Dance. She regularly appears in productions at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre.

The Downtown Performing Arts Center's 6-week Tuesday evening classes begin on July 7 and continue through August 11. For information on summer classes, tuition fees, performing arts camps and more, visit www.downtownpac.com or call (609) 397-3337. The Downtown Performing Arts Center is located at 54 Mt. Airy Village Rd. in Lambertville, NJ and welcomes students of all ages.

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