Children's Acting Classes

Appalachian Arts Center, a part of Southwest Virginia Community College, will once again be hosting acting workshops for children, youth and adults this spring. The four-week workshops will be held on Saturdays: May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2013 at the Arts Center.

Ryan Henderson will be the instructor for the workshops. A former Barter Player, Ryan is currently a teaching artist with Barter Theatre’s Project R.E.A.L. He has performed in numerous educational tours with the Barter Players and has acted with twelve professional theatre companies.

The following workshops will be offered: “Just Play” for ages 7-12 will be from 10:00am-11:00am. As children we are constantly told to censor ourselves and how to behave. Not here! There are a lot of parallels between playing and acting. They each have an objective and they each have rules. This workshop will focus on teaching the roots of theatre—goals, obstacles and tactics—by playing games that encourage…PLAY. Tuition for this four-week workshop is $60.

“Team Effort” for ages 13-18 will be from 11:15am-12:15pm. When we think of working together as a team, theatre may not be the first activity that comes to mind. In fact, teamwork and collaboration are essential to creating great theatre. This workshop will be full of activities and games that encourage ensemble play and collaborative discovery—ideas that can be practiced both on and off the stage. Tuition for this four-week workshop is $60.

“Yes, Lets” for ages 19+ will be held from 1:00-2:30pm. Improvisation for all! Whether you are looking to sharpen your creative skills, get more comfortable with public speaking or just want something fun to do on a Saturday morning, this workshop is for you. We will explore the fundamentals of improvisation in a safe environment that encourages us to follow our every creative impulse. Tuition for this four-week workshop is $90.

Space is limited in these workshops, so register early! There is a registration deadline of April 27th, and payment should be made to Appalachian Arts Center by this date in order to hold the slot. A limited number of scholarships are available for these classes. Please contact the Arts Center at 276-596-9188 or via email at appartsinfo@sw.edu for more information, to register for the workshops, or to inquire about scholarship opportunities.