Theatre Classes For Youth

Fundamentals of Acting (ages 14-18)

SPARC staff

Love to Act? This course is designed for the student who has always wanted to try acting, or has a bit of experience and wishes to explore the craft further. Students will learn about proper voice and speech work on stage, physicalization of characters and emotional expression through movement and properly warming up your instrument. Text work could include monologue study and performance, scene study, beats and exchanging dialogue. Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

Musical Theatre Intensive ( ages 9-13)

SPARC staff

The show is the thing! This course will focus primarily on musical theatre repertoire and skills that are needed to be cast in musicals. Material will start with basics and then work toward combining singing and dancing in a performance environment – thus being a great fit for a student who wants to try this for the first time, and the student who may have been in a show or two, but still needs to work on their skills and knowledge. Material will be chosen from important pieces in musical theatre history up though present day shows. Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

Comedy Improv (ages 9-13)

SPARC staff

The ancient (sort of) art of improv is all about creating scenes and characters in the moment— and without a script! The student will learn incredibly useful skills for any actor: quick reactions, connection to your scene partner, the importance of “yes,” creating a character, pantomime—just to name a few. So inspire your sense of spontaneity while performing! Impress new friends at parties! Weird out your relatives at your next family gathering! Say “yes!” to this class and get ready for hilarity! Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

CORE (ages 9-13)

SPARC staff

Act! Sing! Dance! SPARC’s Triple Threat Training. Each two-hour and fifteen minute weekly CORE class is divided into three 40-minute segments of acting, singing and dance, taught by different instructors that specialize in each discipline. Students will be placed in rotating groups based on stage and/or skill. At times, students will work together if the ensemble performance material requires it. SPARC’s founding and signature class offers and exciting curriculum as students cover all the theatrical bases: stage terminology, voice and speech, improvisation, scripted material, Broadway musical repertoire and a variety of dance skills and performance techniques. Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

Rising Stars (ages 7 & 8)

SPARC staff

Discover and perform! Students continue on a journey of creative exploration while introducing a more structured rehearsal process. Students learn how to combine basic dance, acting and singing skills while rehearsing age appropriate material that will be used in a final share or performance. Rehearsal material comes from age appropriate stories, poems, plays, books and Broadway repertoire. Students learn about basic audition techniques and will become more prepared for advanced performance work. Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

Musical Theatre for Beginners (ages 6-8)

SPARC staff

Happy Faces? Happy Feet? Come sing and dance with us! Students will explore the beginning concepts of song and dance as they are applied to musical theatre performance. Skills taught include stage directions, physical self awareness, arm and leg placement, pointing/flexing, isolations, energy focus, moving to rhythm and counting chorography. Basic elements of ballet, tap and jazz may be incorporated. Students will also work on specific songs from age-appropriate musical theatre repertoire and perform/share material at the end of the semester. Students will perform at the SPARC spring Showcase on April 22nd, 2012.

Mini SPARC (ages 5 & 6)

SPARC staff

Imagine! Create! Perform! Mini-SPARC is the first stepping stone toward being in the spotlight. Young students will begin to explore theatre games and activities that lay the foundation for performing arts. Group singing, simple choreography and basic script/group recitation are combined to build a foundation of confidence and boost social and performance skills. Mini SPARC Classes will be combined in a showcase performance on Saturday afternoon/evening on March 31st, 2012 at the SPARC Center on the new Sara Belle November Theatre Stage.

SPARC Plugs (ages 3 & 4)

SPARC staff

Students will discover their voice and body through imaginative group play! Get your imagination ready for an inspiring class centered around explorative movement, role playing, music, basic storytelling, and teamwork….the very beginning steps of performing arts. Gross motor skills such as jumping, swinging, reaching, stretching, hopping and crawling are used in conjunction with age-appropriate props (scarves, hats, balls, balloons, blocks, etc.) to enable the student to fully explore their own capabilities. Join us for some wonderful stories, magical moments and just plain fun! Students will have a short performance for their parents on the last class of the semester.