CRESTVIEW — The founder of the KidsAct drama program may have moved out of town, but the program lives on, offering area kids from ages 6 to 18 the opportunity to learn stagecraft.
Ten Talents Youth Theatre, founded by Nancy and Corey Black, picks up where Sandra Peters left off. With the closure of Peters’ Main Street coffeehouse, the new troupe found a rehearsal and class venue at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
The Blacks have ambitious plans for the program, incorporating the family’s interests in a variety of performing and visual arts, including magic tricks.
“What we’re wanting to do eventually is expand the classes to include not just drama but (also) art, dance, puppetry, illusion and sleight of hand, and photography,” Nancy Black said. “There’s several different things we want to build on. We love the arts!”
Corey Black is the family illusionist while Nancy acts and directs. Both are affiliated with View From the Stage, the local community theatre troupe. Nancy directed the company’s spring production of “The Miracle Worker.”
Their children, Robert, 17, Douglas, 15, and Brittni, 13, have appeared in multiple school and local productions. Robert and Brittni also have a fondness for sports, while Douglas is pursuing his dad’s interest in illusion.
Classes begin Aug. 15 and meet twice weekly for five to six weeks. Classes will be followed by a public performance of a show. Junior classes are for kids ages 6-10, with senior classes for 11-18 year olds.
“The parents we've talked to seem very enthusiastic about these classes,” Corey Black said.
“Kind of the philosophy behind Ten Talents is it’s not just about drama and theatre, or puppetry and arts,” Nancy said. “It’s about enabling children and teenagers to discover their gifts and to be confident in their gifting and be able to share them with others.”
Some parents who have expressed interest in the classes are hesitant because they feel their children are too shy, she said.
“I told them, ‘You might just be surprised.’” Nancy said.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Ten Talents Youth Theatre
WHEN: First classes begin Aug. 15
WHERE: Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 201 Cadle Dr. at P.J. Adams Parkway
COST: $95 Junior Class, ages 6-10; $120 Senior Class, ages 11-18
NOTES: Each five- to six-week class meets twice a week. Classes will be followed by a public performance. First performances are Sept. 20. Juniors will perform “Stone Soup”; seniors will perform “Aladdin”
CONTACT: Nancy Black, nancy@ctpromedia.com or 826-3409
Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ten Talents for the talented: New student theatre classes starting Aug. 15