Academy of Performing Arts

Class taught by Denise Page & Ryan Van Buskirk

Kids: Acting

Ages 11-14

Mondays 4-5 pm

Classes Start the week of 9/22 and end the week of 11/10

A slightly more accelerated class from the younger age group, this is an ideal course for

the middle school student who is either completely new to the stage and acting, has never tried

it but wants to OR for those experienced actors who have performed here and there but want to

elevate their skills. All actors will get a chance to shine in our end of course show case! We will

cover (a review for some) the basics, stage direction, diction, emotions, body language, facial

language. We will more intensely review, discuss and practice audition prep, tactical

approaches to conquering an audition as well as the anxiousness and confidence issues that

can sometimes plague both the inexperienced actor and those who have been doing this a long

time. (hint: most people don’t like auditions, but we have some tools to share to help cope with

that!) Included in this course will be a mock audition day! For most of the course time, we will

be focusing on a small play/skit for presentation at the showcase and breaking this down to

better understand our characters and how they fit in the story, and how knowing both of those

things makes us better at our craft. Part of this course will include a little improv work and how

that relates to staying in character, being in the moment and exploring creativity while remaining

true to someone else’s written work and the vision of an overall production… “improv with

boundaries.” Our focus may be on one small skit or play for presentation, but the skills and

practices taught for this one “micro show” are things that can be brought to all your future

theater endeavors. This course and what we teach will become a permanent part of the tools

for your overall acting, speaking and presentation tool kit. We can’t wait to work with yo