Florida Studio Theatre is gearing up for all new sessions of Youth, Teen, and Adult performing arts workshops, created exclusively to nurture the individual creativity of the artist

Comment Off 18 Views

OVER 30 YEARS OF education

FST Announces Season of
Youth and Adult education classes

(Sarasota, FL)—September is almost here! That means Florida Studio Theatre is gearing up for all new sessions of Youth, Teen, and Adult performing arts workshops, created exclusively to nurture the individual creativity of the artist. FST School offers 33 sessions and workshops, varying in length and discipline, for creative development, advanced education and performing opportunities. All classes are held in FST’s professional rehearsal studios. Class start dates vary with Youth Session I beginning on September 15 and Adult Session I beginning September 22. Reservations can be made by contacting FST’s Education department at 941.366.1350 or by visiting www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

The Education Program was developed back in 1982 by Kate Alexander, Associate Director of FST. Now, over 30 years later, both youth and adult students continue to develop their creativity and theatrical skills in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Alexander speaks to the nature of the program stating, “The school was founded on a simple philosophy, a belief that children can create art. Too often children are relegated to ridiculous and silly expectations when they perform. There is a big difference between ‘dress up’ and art. When we dress up, we put our feet in our mother’s shoes and pretend we are an adult. We try on a cape and pretend we are superman. We in essence ‘try out roles.’ In art, we are not dressing up. We are revealing who we are to share with an audience. We are delving into the human condition.”

From its modest beginnings of 11 students, the program now reaches close to 1,000 students each year. Training both children and adults in the language and thought of theatre, the FST School educates both the minds and the hearts of the theatergoers of today and tomorrow. Students learn of their own capacity to explore their inner performer; to let out the art that lives within.

Alexander further elaborates stating, “When we began there were no models for this work. Yet early on, I saw how powerful it was and how the children gravitated to it. They eagerly wanted to explore the ‘horizons of depth’ within themselves. We commissioned playwrights and work to create roles for them. In fact, award-winning film and TV writer, Nancy Oliver, was one of our early playwrights to create child centered plays.” Oliver is well known for her work on the successful TV series Six Feet Under.

T

MORE

he truest testaments come from the students themselves. “I took the class to help me transcend some fears” and “You’ve helped me re-discover an important part of me that was missing for years,” are just a few of the rewarding comments shared about the adult classes.

Associate Artist, Jason Cannon, shared his thoughts on the adult education classes stating, “Our adult students come from every walk of life. Whether they are taking the class to truly improve their skills, or to just jolt themselves out of a rut, they discover the joy of telling the truth in front of an audience. They also make some incredible new friends in the process.”

FST Director of Education, Beth Duda stated “Imagination, creativity, a sense of accomplishment, and fun fill our studios each week. Students looking for a way to improve communication skills, to begin acting, or to further advance in their acting or improvisation training will find a creative home at Florida Studio Theatre. Our professional teaching artists will guide each student to the next level in their process.”

The adult teaching staff is comprised of a core of theatre professionals trained to teach free from personal dictates. FST School’s methodology helps each person find his or her own “door” to creative achievement. The acting classes use a technique based on the Stanislavski method; the actor must learn to generate truth on stage.

All classes are held in FST’s professional rehearsal studios in the heart of downtown Sarasota at 1241 North Palm Avenue. Reservations can be made by contacting FST’s Education department at 941.366.1350 or by visiting www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

The full list of classes follows on the next page.

Youth Education:

SESSION I: September 15 – November 9
SESSION II: November 10 – January 25
SESSION III: January 26 – March 29
SESSION IV: March 30 – May 24

Adult Education:

SESSION I: September 22 – November 23
SESSION II: December 1 – January 25
SESSION III: January 26 – March 29
SESSION IV: March 30 – May 17

About Florida Studio Theatre

K

-MORE-

nown as Sarasota’s contemporary theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman’s Club building – now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American theatre, presenting contemporary theatre in its five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne’s Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

YOUTH beginning

Little Theatre | Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm or Saturdays 9:00am – 10:30am

Ages 5-6: Enhance creativity, explore emotions through movement and song, and develop improvisational and storytelling skills.Kindergarten prerequisite. Recitals for Sessions II & IV.

Theatre Combo:(Acting, Dance & Improvisation) | Thursdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm or Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30pm

Ages 7-12: Learn the building blocks of a professional acting technique through movement and dance while enhancing ensemble building skills. Improvisational games teach the students how to use their imaginations and become comfortable in front of an audience.

Recitals forSessions II & IV.

Acting I | Tuesdays or Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Ages 7-12: Learn the building blocks of a professional acting technique, from being comfortable in front of an audience to utilizing your mind, voice and body to communicate truthful emotion on stage. Rehearse and perform short pieces and monologues.

Recitals for SessionsII & IV.

YOUTH INTERMEDIATE

Theatre Combo: (Acting, Dance, & Improvisation) | Thursdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm or Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30pm.

Ages 7-12: Learn the building blocks of a professional acting technique through movement and dance while enhancing ensemble building skills. Improvisational games teach the students to use their imaginations and become comfortable in front of an audience.

Recitals for Sessions II & IV.

Acting II Advanced Scene Work | Tuesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm or Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30pm

Ages 9-12: For the student ready to advance into Scene Work. Strengthen technique, utilizing skills in developing characters and relationships with scene partners. Rehearse and perform contemporary scenes. Recitals for Sessions II & IV.

Musical Theatre | Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm & Saturdays 10:30am – 12:00pm

A

-MORE-

ges 8-13: Rehearse and perform an original one-act musical. Strengthen performance technique, utilizing acting, dancing and singing. Develop character and relationship with an

ensemble. Build self-image and self-esteem, enhancing your mind, voice, imagination and body to communicate truthful emotion on stage. Acting I, Acting II, or Staff Invitation prerequisite.Culminates in a final performance.

Kids Komedy Club | Saturdays 10:00am – 12:00pm

Ages 9-17: Write, rehearse and perform sketch-comedy and improvisation games. KKC will perform in front of a live audience on selected Saturdays. Utilize acting, movement and singing skills in developing characters and relationships in an ensemble. Students will enhance their imaginations and physicality through improvisation. Kids’ Classics or Staff Invitation prerequisite.

YOUTH ADVANCED

Monday Classics – Write & Perform | Mondays 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Ages 11-14: For the pre-teen and teen ready to advance in scene work, strengthen technique and improve writing skills. Students will develop, write, and perform scenes and short plays. Acting I, Acting II, or Staff Invitationprerequisite. Recitals after Session II & IV.

Play Performance, Classics | Wednesdays 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Ages 9-13: An intensive program for students with previous training from the FST School. Develop, rehearse, and perform an original one-act play. Acting I,Acting II or Staff Invitation prerequisite. Culminates in a finalperformance.

Musical Theatre | Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm & Saturdays 10:30am – 12:00pm

Ages 8-13: Rehearse and perform an original one-act musical. Strengthen performance technique, utilizing acting, dancing and singing. Develop character and relationship with an ensemble. Build self-image and self-esteem, enhancing your mind, voice, imagination

and body to communicate truthful emotion on stage. Acting I, Acting II, or Staff Invitation prerequisite.

TEEN BEGINNING

Teen Acting I | Mondays 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Ages 13-17: Learn the building blocks of a solid acting technique, utilizing mind, voice and body to communicate emotion. Become comfortable in front of an audience and enhance

imagination through improvisation. Recitals after Sessions II & IV.

Teen Improvisation | Thursdays 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Ages 12-17: Learn and reinforce improvisation skills in a lively and creative environment. Learn how to be present in the moment. This class encourages expression of individual creativity and authenticity through a variety of improvisation exercises. Culminates in a final performance.

-MORE-

 

TEEN INTERMEDIATE

Play Performance, Teen Classics | Tuesdays 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Ages 13-17: Rehearse and perform an original one-act play. Strengthen performance technique by utilizing acting skills; Developing character and relationship in an ensemble.

Acting I, Teen Scene or Staff Invitation prerequisite. Culminates in a final performance.

Kids Komedy Club | Saturdays 10:00am – 12:00pm

Ages 9-17: Write, rehearse and perform sketch-comedy and improvisation games. KKC will perform in front of a live audience on selected Saturdays. Utilize acting, movement and

singing skills in developing characters and relationships in an ensemble. Students will enhance their imaginations and physicality through improvisation. Kids’ Classics or Staff Invitation prerequisite.

Teen Improvisation | Thursdays 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Ages 12-17: Learn and reinforce improvisation skills in a lively and creative environment. Learn how to be present in the moment. This class encourages expression of individual

creativity and authenticity through a variety of improvisation exercises. Culminates in afinal performance.

TEEN ADVANCED

Teen Acting, Advanced Scene Study | Tuesdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Ages 13-17: Rehearse and perform contemporary scenes. Strengthen performance technique by utilizing acting skills, developing character and relationship in an ensemble. Acting I, Acting II or Staff Invitation prerequisite.Culminates in a final performance.

Teen Musical Theatre | Wednesdays 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Ages 13-17: Rehearse and perform an original one-act musical. Strengthen performance technique, utilizing acting, dancing and singing. Develop character and relationship with an ensemble. Build self-image and self-esteem, enhancing mind, voice, imagination and body to communicate truthful emotion on stage. Acting I, Acting II, or Staff Invitation prerequisite. Culminates in a final performance.

Kids Komedy Club | Saturdays 10:00-12:00pm

Ages 9-17: Write, rehearse and perform sketch comedy and improvisation games. KKC will perform in front of a live audience on selected Saturdays. Utilize acting, movement and singing skills in developing characters and relationships in an ensemble. Students will enhance their imaginations and physicality through improvisation. Kids’ Classics or Staff Invitation prerequisite.

-MORE-

 

Theatre Appreciation

Behind the Scenes at FST | Dates/times vary

This popular series takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the play creation process! Follow the professional visiting artists and FST staff from initial concept to final performance. You’ll be right beside the professionals.

Reader’s Circle | Wednesdays 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Similar to a book club, except we focus on plays! Anyone interested in theatre and how plays get from the playwright to the stage will enjoy these weekly meetings to read and analyze scripts with an eye towards full production. The plays will be selected from FST’s own Literary Department, and each class will be a lively mix of discovery and discussion. Maximum enrollment is limited to 15 participants per class.

Theatre Writing

Playwriting Workshop | Thursdays 2:00pm – 4:00pm

For writers interested in developing work for the stage. The class will read and discuss short plays and scenes written by each other. We will examine audience expectations, theatrical conventions and the basic crafting elements involved in hooking an audience. We will also discuss how to liberate yourself in writing and how to maximize the dramatic possibilities for your play.

Flying Solo: Writing for Performance | Mondays 7:00pm –9:00pm

In sixteen weeks, students will be guided in the creation and development of one-person plays, monologues, and stories based on prompts, exercises, and improvisation, and then receive acting instruction to polish the presentation of these original works in Mixed Nuts performances in Bowne’s Lab Theatre. Prerequisite: No Fear Acting or submit a theatre resume.

Adult Acting Classes

No Fear Acting | Tuesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

The most thorough introduction to Acting Class you will experience. Unleash your inner actor and lay the groundwork for all your future performances and classes. Start your training with a solid foundation and learn the building blocks of mind, heart, body, and voice.

No Fear Acting for Seniors | Tuesdays 10:00am – 12:00pm

Want to take a class with people your age? Try this class, tailored to our older generation. Still an in-depth Acting Class, this session will teach the same skill sets of No Fear Acting and will help you learn the building blocks of mind, heart, body and voice.

-MORE-

 

Devise and Conquer | Mondays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

In this sixteen week session focused on ensemble work, students will be guided in the creation and development of short plays, sketches, and stories based on prompts, group exercises, and improvisation, and then receive acting instruction to polish the presentation of these original works in Mixed Nuts performances in Bowne’s Lab Theatre. Prerequisite: No Fear Acting or submit a theatre resume.

Acting for the Camera | Thursdays 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Designed for students with some previous acting experience either in the classroom or on stage. Each 10-week session will focus on techniques necessary to translate emotional honesty onto film. Class work will be recorded and instruction will focus on film and audition etiquette, the filmmaking process and how to book a job.

Page to Stage | Thursdays 2:00pm – 4:00pm

This sixteen week course is actually an intensive rehearsal process that culminates in the students performing a fully staged reading on one of our stages! Designed for students with previous acting experience either in the classroom or onstage, Page to Stage will start with a script and character analysis directly aimed at building an ensemble performance. Subsequent class meetings will focus on staging and rehearsing the play, guided by a professional director. Prerequisite: No Fear Acting or submit a theatre resume.

Broadway Dancercize | Saturdays 9:15am – 10:30am

Dancing to keep fit, a fun way to achieve your fitness goals. Unlike many exercise classes which work on specific parts of the body, dancing is an excellent way to achieve all-round fitness because it strengthens tones, improves posture and flexibility, and is a great cardiovascular workout into the bargain.

Adult Improv Classes

Introduction to Improvisation | Mondays 2:00pm – 4:00pm or 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Discover the freedom of spontaneity! Introduction to Improvisation is the launching ground for developing one’s skills as an Improv performer. Students are given the opportunity to explore creativity, hone presentation skills and build self-confidence. This class focuses on playing together, energy, teamwork, making others look good, and the basic tenet of “Yes, and…”

Improvisation | Thursdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Students are placed into an ensemble and learn to build on the fundamentals of Improvisation. The class introduces narrative storytelling and scene work. The focus is on building scenes with beginning, middle, and end as well as the importance of relationship. As sessions continue, the class focuses on working with scene partners to create characters with a purpose and stories of substance. Introduction class or previous improv experience required to join this class.

-MORE-

 

Improvisation for Performance | Tuesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Let’s put it all together! An in-depth class designed to develop and refine the individual’s ability to work in an ensemble. Structured around performance, students will perform regularly in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. Special attention is paid to the individual performer’s ability to create believable, emotionally based characters that have the ability to drive a scene forward through character modification and change. Admission to this class is by instructor recommendation only.

Scenic Improv | Tuesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Become a better improviser by concentrating on strong scenic work. This class focuses on building fully realized scenes by learning to play emotionally with your partner. Learn how to know your character, how character evolves with relationship and how to make honest choices that advance your scene.

Going Long: An Introduction to creating the narrative | Thursdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

All the world is a stage and it takes practice to avoid the pit. Through games, exercises and training formats, you’ll learn the basic elements of improvising a thirty-minute story: who is the story about, what kind of story is it, and how does your character fit into it. This workshop series offers the keys on how to begin with nothing, go on a journey, and actually find the end.

###

2014 Summer Season

 

Summer Mainstage:

Pump Boys & Dinettes – June 4

Becoming Dr. Ruth – June 25

Taking Shakespeare – July 23

 

 

Summer Cabaret:
At The Hop –  June 10

Clearly Invisible – July 8

Somewhere Over The Rose – August 5

 

 

Improv:

FST Improv – June 7

 

Special Events:

Sarasota Improv Festival – July 11 & 12

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the author

Editor of Don411.com Media website.
Free Newsletter Updated Daily