MONROE - This fall season, the Monroe Theatre Guild is offering new opportunities for all ages to learn and explore the arts.
The Stage Right Youth Theatre program will begin its fall season with a Marionette Theatre Class for ages 8 to 12. This class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks beginning on today. Class time is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. In this multi-week class taught by local sculptor Nikki Cooper, students will learn to make traditional marionette puppets using paper mache techniques. They will build character puppets and then learn the techniques of animating them. The final class day, Oct. 14, will be spent practicing marionette movements and then videotaping the final performance. The performance will be posted on YouTube.
New to the MTG lineup will be Musical Theatre Dance Class for ages 15 to 90. The class will be offered for beginners and for the more advanced. Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 28. The instructor is Jeremy Gracyalny.
Beginning Musical Theatre Dance will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a final performance Oct. 21. This class is for those who are new to theatre dance, or are looking for a refresher course. Students will learn basic steps that they will put together into a routine for an audience. Students are required to have a basic understanding of beat and tempo, as well as an enthusiasm for learning.
Advanced Musical Theatre Dance meets from 7 to 8 p.m. with a final performance on Oct. 21 This class is for those experienced in theatre dance. Students will learn advanced steps that they will put together into a routine for an audience. Class is recommended for those who have taken previous dance classes or those who feel that have an above average understanding of beat and tempo.
For a family event, instructor Nadine Whiteman will lead an afternoon of Reader's Theatre from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. This is for anyone who likes performing in plays but hates memorizing lines. Participants will choose characters and read a play with expression, characterization, facial expression and even a few costume pieces. There will be a 3:45 p.m. "performance." Attendees must be able to read.
For budding young artists, MTG is offering two painting classes taught by scenic artist Suzanne Miller. For students ages 5 to 7, Squishing, Squashing, Painting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. In this class, students will learn the very beginnings of painting for the theatre. For kids ages 8 to 14, Let's Make a Scene will allow students to learn how to paint faux finishes of stone, wood, foliage etc. and will then incorporate those techniques into a large scale painting of a fairytale village. Once dry, the paintings can be brought home. This class will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Students must bring a sack lunch. There is a maximum of 8 students for this class.
For young actors, three class opportunities will be offered. The Youth Improv Program for ages 8 to 11, is an afterschool class on Mondays. The class runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is taught by professional performer Mary Harris. Learn the secrets of Improv in this fun, fast-paced class. Improv is great for increasing performance, memory and creative skills. Theater games have no winners or losers. Kids love the spontaneity and have fun while learning the games.
The Camera. Action. Workshop for ages 8 to 13, will also be taught by Ms. Harris. This is a one-day class from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Students will learn how to work in front of a camera. They will use improvisation to break down scripts for commercials. Bring a sack lunch for this all-day workshop. Everyone will receive a copy of their work.
The third acting workshop is Mastering the Monologue for ages 10 to 14. This two-session class will be taught by Dave Bristow. Class dates are from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20. There will be a noon performance on the last class day. Participants will work on characterization, body language and presentation. Age-appropriate monologues will be chosen for each student to inspire and challenge. The following week, students will take their memorized scenes, rehearse them during class, choose a few costume pieces, props or accessories and then present their monologue for friends and family at the end of the class.
For small children, Tracy Bristow is back on Saturday, Dec. 4 with her music, movement and fun classes - this time with a Christmas theme. Wiggle, Rattle and Sing for ages 4 to 5, will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and Rhythms, Rhymes and Jingles for ages 6 to 7, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. In these classes, children will use a variety of musical instruments coupled with rhythmic poems and rhymes to learn and have fun through music.
The MTG Youth Choir program will be offering a Christmas Choir session for students ages 7 to 25. The fall session will culminate in a performance at the Monroe Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 10. MTG Youth Choir is separated into two groups.
Singers ages 7 to 12 are eligible for MTG's Junior Choir program where they will learn basic music reading skills, basic vocal technique and rehearsal skills. Singers ages 13 to 25 are eligible for MTG's Senior Choir program. Singers will hone their music reading skills, receive advanced vocal technique and rehearsal skills and will learn and perform a variety of musical pieces.
Rehearsals are primarily on Sunday evenings beginning Nov. 7. The choirs will be directed by Cindy Blanc and will focus on holiday music.
Tuition costs vary for all of the fall programs; full scholarships are available for all classes. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. For a printable registration form or more information, visit www.monroetheatre.com or e-mail: monroetheatre@tds.net.
For scholarship information, call (608) 325-1111 during office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays All classes and workshops held at MTG Stage building 910 16th Ave.
The Stage Right Youth Theatre program will begin its fall season with a Marionette Theatre Class for ages 8 to 12. This class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks beginning on today. Class time is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. In this multi-week class taught by local sculptor Nikki Cooper, students will learn to make traditional marionette puppets using paper mache techniques. They will build character puppets and then learn the techniques of animating them. The final class day, Oct. 14, will be spent practicing marionette movements and then videotaping the final performance. The performance will be posted on YouTube.
New to the MTG lineup will be Musical Theatre Dance Class for ages 15 to 90. The class will be offered for beginners and for the more advanced. Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 28. The instructor is Jeremy Gracyalny.
Beginning Musical Theatre Dance will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a final performance Oct. 21. This class is for those who are new to theatre dance, or are looking for a refresher course. Students will learn basic steps that they will put together into a routine for an audience. Students are required to have a basic understanding of beat and tempo, as well as an enthusiasm for learning.
Advanced Musical Theatre Dance meets from 7 to 8 p.m. with a final performance on Oct. 21 This class is for those experienced in theatre dance. Students will learn advanced steps that they will put together into a routine for an audience. Class is recommended for those who have taken previous dance classes or those who feel that have an above average understanding of beat and tempo.
For a family event, instructor Nadine Whiteman will lead an afternoon of Reader's Theatre from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. This is for anyone who likes performing in plays but hates memorizing lines. Participants will choose characters and read a play with expression, characterization, facial expression and even a few costume pieces. There will be a 3:45 p.m. "performance." Attendees must be able to read.
For budding young artists, MTG is offering two painting classes taught by scenic artist Suzanne Miller. For students ages 5 to 7, Squishing, Squashing, Painting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. In this class, students will learn the very beginnings of painting for the theatre. For kids ages 8 to 14, Let's Make a Scene will allow students to learn how to paint faux finishes of stone, wood, foliage etc. and will then incorporate those techniques into a large scale painting of a fairytale village. Once dry, the paintings can be brought home. This class will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Students must bring a sack lunch. There is a maximum of 8 students for this class.
For young actors, three class opportunities will be offered. The Youth Improv Program for ages 8 to 11, is an afterschool class on Mondays. The class runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is taught by professional performer Mary Harris. Learn the secrets of Improv in this fun, fast-paced class. Improv is great for increasing performance, memory and creative skills. Theater games have no winners or losers. Kids love the spontaneity and have fun while learning the games.
The Camera. Action. Workshop for ages 8 to 13, will also be taught by Ms. Harris. This is a one-day class from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Students will learn how to work in front of a camera. They will use improvisation to break down scripts for commercials. Bring a sack lunch for this all-day workshop. Everyone will receive a copy of their work.
The third acting workshop is Mastering the Monologue for ages 10 to 14. This two-session class will be taught by Dave Bristow. Class dates are from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20. There will be a noon performance on the last class day. Participants will work on characterization, body language and presentation. Age-appropriate monologues will be chosen for each student to inspire and challenge. The following week, students will take their memorized scenes, rehearse them during class, choose a few costume pieces, props or accessories and then present their monologue for friends and family at the end of the class.
For small children, Tracy Bristow is back on Saturday, Dec. 4 with her music, movement and fun classes - this time with a Christmas theme. Wiggle, Rattle and Sing for ages 4 to 5, will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and Rhythms, Rhymes and Jingles for ages 6 to 7, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. In these classes, children will use a variety of musical instruments coupled with rhythmic poems and rhymes to learn and have fun through music.
The MTG Youth Choir program will be offering a Christmas Choir session for students ages 7 to 25. The fall session will culminate in a performance at the Monroe Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 10. MTG Youth Choir is separated into two groups.
Singers ages 7 to 12 are eligible for MTG's Junior Choir program where they will learn basic music reading skills, basic vocal technique and rehearsal skills. Singers ages 13 to 25 are eligible for MTG's Senior Choir program. Singers will hone their music reading skills, receive advanced vocal technique and rehearsal skills and will learn and perform a variety of musical pieces.
Rehearsals are primarily on Sunday evenings beginning Nov. 7. The choirs will be directed by Cindy Blanc and will focus on holiday music.
Tuition costs vary for all of the fall programs; full scholarships are available for all classes. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. For a printable registration form or more information, visit www.monroetheatre.com or e-mail: monroetheatre@tds.net.
For scholarship information, call (608) 325-1111 during office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays All classes and workshops held at MTG Stage building 910 16th Ave.
