CRESTVIEW — Area students will get a hands-on opportunity to learn and hone their stage skills in youth productions of William Shakespeare classics.
KidzAct acting classes begin the first week of February at Journey Java Connection on Main Street under experienced adult actors and instructors' tutelage.
Budding thespians, many of whom have learned acting techniques in previous classes, will now undertake actual productions, Journey Java owner and theatre arts instructor Sandra Peters said.
"This is a performance class," she said. "It's like an introduction to Shakespeare."
The classes will use a program called "Shakespeare Can be Fun," which introduces young actors to works of the Bard of Stratford-on-Avon in a fun way, Peters said.
The junior class of 6- to 9-year-olds will perform an abridged production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The 10- to 15-year-old students in the senior class will perform a shortened version of "Twelfth Night."
Journey Java's KidzArt classes, taught 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, will help design and construct sets and scenery for both productions.
A cookies-and-punch reception will follow the March 29 performances.
"It's going to be fun," Peters said. "I think they're ready to perform."
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: KidzAct theatre performance and KidzArt art classes
WHEN: Beginning the first week of February as follows:
• KidzAct Junior Class, 6-9 years old, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Saturdays
• KidzAct Senior Class, 10-15 years old, 3:30-5 p.m. Fridays, 1-3 p.m. Saturdays
• KidzArt Class: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays
PERFORMANCES: Juniors, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," 5 p.m. March 29; Seniors, "Twelfth Night," 6:30 p.m. March 29. Reception follows.
WHERE: Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main St., Crestview
DETAILS: KidzAct tuition: Juniors, $100; Seniors, $125; includes materials and performance fees. Junior class members must be able to read. Space is limited; students must commit to attending all classes and performances. KidzArt tuition is $48 for eight classes, including materials.
CONTACT: Sandra Peters, 420-6723.
Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Children's acting classes teach performance skills, Shakespeare