Beowulf Alley Announces Spring Program for Kids
ActingKids@the Alley, Beowulf Alley’s innovative program for young people ages nine through seventeen, is launching a series of after-school programs, beginning Tuesday, January 19,, 2010. All activities will take place at the theatre at 11 South 6th Avenue, downtown between Broadway and Congress.
According to Dave Sewell, Youth Program Director, the upcoming program’s mission is to “create a performance-based learning experience that will provide our participants with a fun, expressive outlet; develop valuable skills through collaboration and creative interaction; foster awareness and sensitivity; and instill an appreciation and love of the art of Theatre.”
Sewell is a Theatre graduate of the University of California, Riverside, and has been actively involved in all phases of Theatre for over 35 years. “What sets our program apart,” explains Sewell, “is that we provide the same training adult actors would be expected to receive, but in an age-appropriate setting. We’re not looking to train ‘stars;’ we’re looking for kids who are interested in learning the value of the arts in developing creative thinking and teamwork, having fun, and meeting new friends.
A trio of distinct three-week sessions is planned, with two 90-minute classes per week (Tuesday/Thursday; 4:15pm to 5:45pm). Each session will highlight one particular aspect of the actor’s craft, from creative movement, to verbal proficiency, and finally to a session on Shakespeare for the 21st century. In addition, ActingKids@the Alley will offer two special full day “pods”: a Playwrighting Jam on Rodeo days in February and an Old Time Radio-style Workshop during TUSD Spring Break. Students may attend all sessions and pods, or pick-and-choose among the offerings according to availability and family budget.
Session I: Creative Movement, January 19 to February 4, 2010
An actor’s physical presence is a powerful tool for telling the story. This class will develop non-verbal communication skills through mime and other techniques, including exercises and games for building confidence in gesture and movement.
Session II: More Than Words Can Express, March 9 – 25, 2010
The playwright provides the story and the words; the actor’s job is to bring it all to life. Students in this class will learn basic verbal development skills for the theatre, including diction, projection, and building a character.
Session III: Shakespeare in the 21st Century, April 27 – May 13, 2010
Holy iambic pentameter, Batman! Shakespeare is a great way to check out all the skills in the actor’s toolbox! Challenging and fun, rich with language and meaning, even today Shakespeare’s plays still feature the most interesting characters in dramatic literature.
New! Special Recess Day “Pods”, two special interest mini-sessions or “pods” for Rodeo Days and TUSD Spring Recess!
Pod I: February 25th and 26th (Rodeo Recess) - Playwrighting Jam
This two-day experience will be off the hook! Kids will be teamed in small groups, given a set of parameters, and each team will be challenged to write a short (about 10 minutes) play together. The next day they will come back, get cast in each other’s plays, and rehearse and perform them (script in hand) in front of an audience!
Pod II: April 1st and 2nd (Spring Recess – TUSD) - Radio Theatre
Radio: a world where performance and imagination meet! In the days before television, actors projected their characters over the airwaves, aided by dramatic music and sound effects. And don’t forget the commercials! Participate in this special two-day workshop, and learn how actors use their voice to stimulate the imagination of their listeners!
Whether you child is new to theatre or an old stagehand, all are welcome at ActingKids@theAlley! Classes are filling fast, so reserve your place today!
Our Mission:
We will create a performance-based learning experience that will provide our participants with a fun, expressive outlet; develop valuable skills through collaboration and creative interaction; foster awareness and sensitivity; and instill an appreciation and love of the art of Theatre.
For full details, click “Learning at the Alley” on the Beowulf home page: www.beowulfalley.org, or call the theatre at (520) 622-4460 for more information.
