August 6, 2009

Philadelphia, PA - Arden Theatre Company announced its 2009/10 Drama School class schedule. Arden Drama School offers theatre classes and camps for kids in Kindergarten through 12 grade. Classes for kids in Kindergarten through 5 grade comprise Kids' Crew and kids in 6 through 12 grade attend Teen Company. Classes are offered every semester (fall, winter and spring) and during the summer, Drama School offers daycamps. Below, please find a listing of all fall classes. The Arden is currently offering significant discounts for kids who sign up for all three semesters (fall, winter and spring) at once.

ARDEN KIDS' CREW
(for students in Kindergarten – 5 grade)
If your children love the limelight, want to kick their shyness or just love a good story, our classes are for them. All are taught by theatre pros with a penchant - and talent - for teaching kids. Classes develop speaking, problem-solving and listening skills and develop self esteem - but your kids will be having too much fun to notice!

EIGHT WEEK CLASSES
Every Saturday morning for eight weeks
$160 per semester
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Nov 7, 14, 21

Treasure Trunk: Fantasy (for students in Kindergarten)
Saturdays, 10 – 11am
Kindergarteners discover the power of creation by inventing their own stories. Boxes full of hats, baskets full of costumes, and trunks full of props inspire kids to new heights of creativity.

Storycrafters: Fairy Tales (for students in 1 & 2 grade)
Saturdays, 10 – 11:30am
Star in your favorite book! Kids learn acting and storytelling by reading their favorite books and working together to act them out dramatically. Learn how to create a character and be a great storyteller.

Acting: Movement (for students in 3 - 5 grades)
Saturdays, 10am – 11:30am
Kids begin to learn the techniques that actors use on stage. They will use their bodies, voices and minds to create characters, play intentions, and work together to create new pieces of theatre.

ONE DAY CLASSES

Play in a Day (for students in 1 – 5 grade)
10 – 3pm
$50 per class
Sat, Oct 3; Sat, Oct 17; or Wed, Nov 11 (Veterans Day)
Kids work together to conceive, write and perform a play of their own creation. Parents can enjoy the fruits of their kids' labor at the end of the day. Each Play in a Day is as unique as the group of children. Take it once or five times, the story and characters are always new.

One Day Workshops
$30 per class
1 - 4pm

Acting (for students in Kindergarten – 2 grade)
Rehearse a scene from start to finish and get a taste of acting.
Sat, Oct 10

Improv (for students in 3 – 5 grade)
You'll use your imagination and teamwork to create characters, skits, and stories.
Sat, Nov 7

MOMMY AND ME CLASSES
NEW - for 3 and 4 Year Old Children

Bookworms
Six Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:15am
$120 per semester
September 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4
Enjoy your very own book club to share with your preschooler! Each class is themed around a different book which you get to keep. Read the stories together, share observations, and use boxes of costumes and props to bring each story to life. Coffee is provided for caregivers.

ARDEN TEEN COMPANY
(for students in 6 - 12 grade)
Arden Teen Company provides fundamental acting and theatre classes to middle and high school students looking for more in-depth training. All classes are taught by professional teaching theatre artists.

SIX WEEK AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
$120 per semester

Acting 1: Characters
Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23 (Mondays)
4:30 – 6:30pm
This class will cover fundamentals of acting and develop skills needed to perform dramatic texts. Students will learn how to use their voice, body, and imagination to use a variety of tactics to overcome obstacles and reach objectives and develop characters in preparation for one day performing a script.

Acting 2: Contemporary Scripts
Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23 (Mondays)
4:30 – 6:30pm
You learned the fundamentals last year, now get the in depth training of a real actor. You will work with talented actors who will help you further develop your skills. You will perform a monologue or scene on the final day of class. Students must have completed at least one semester of acting last year.

Playwrighting: Exposition and Character Development
October 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19 (Thursdays)
4:30 – 6:30pm
This class teaches dynamic story structure, character development, rhythm, pacing and dialogue. Each student will complete a scene that will be read out loud by professional actors and Arden Drama School faculty on the last day of class.

FIVE WEEK SATURDAY CLASSES
Every Saturday for five weeks
Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14
$100 per semester

Acting 1: Characters
Develop your unique voice, work on movement and tap into your imagination. Discover new ways to play an intention, overcome obstacles, reach objectives, and develop characters.
10 – 12pm

Design 1
There's a lot more to theatre than acting. Designers tell a story with sets, lights, props, costumes and sound. If you are interested in honing your talents, this is a perfect class for you. You will work with talented designers and have backstage access at the Arden.
10 – 12pm

Design 2: Sets and Props
You learned the fundamentals; now get more in depth training. You will work with talented designers and have backstage access at the Arden. You will even give a complete design presentation on the final day of class! Students must have completed one of the following last year: Costume Design, Technical Theatre or Design.
1 – 3pm

ONE DAY WORKSHOPS
$30 per class
Saturdays, 1 - 4pm
Acting
Rehearse a scene from start to finish and get a taste of acting
September 26

Musical Theatre
This fun one-day intensive workshop will have you singing and dancing. As a group you will put together a musical production number from Hairspray.
October 24

Improv
You'll use your imagination and teamwork to create characters, skits, and stories.
November 14

Shakespeare
Learn about the Bard and work on scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream and As You Like It.
November 21

To enroll or for more information, call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, visit us online at www.ardentheatre.org, or stop by the Box Office. Arden Theatre Company is located at 40 N. 2nd Street in the heart of the historic neighborhood of Old City Philadelphia.