Registration for First Stage Theater Academy’s school year sessions now open

Eight-week programs in fall, winter and spring and one-week Spring Break program available for students ages three through grade 12
Registration for First Stage Theater Academy school year sessions is now open.  Eight-week programs in the fall, winter and spring, as well as a one-week Spring Break Academy program are available.
Classes are offered at three locations:  the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street in downtown Milwaukee; the Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest Street in Oconomowoc and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, 19805 E. Capitol Drive in Brookfield.  Registration remains open until classes are filled.
Parent or grandparent and child classes are offered for 3- and 4-year-olds, with a variety of classes for students in grades K5 through 12.  Classes are held weekly for eight weeks.
Classes at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center are held on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays; on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center and on Saturdays at the Oconomowoc Arts Center.
The fall session runs September 25 through November 20, 2010; the winter session from January 22 through March 17, 2011 and the spring session from March 26 through May 26, 2011.  A weeklong Spring Break Academy – April 25-29, 2011 – offers a half-day
and full day program for students grades K5 through 12, only at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.
Classes offered vary by age range, and include: “Story Drama,” in which students K4-K5 explore their favorite stories and are guided through dramatic activity encouraging self-expression, concentration, cooperation and discussion; “Introduction to Acting,” in which students grades four through six explore the basics of acting as they develop communication, confidence and self-esteem; and “Musical Theater,” where students grades four through six and seven through 12 can sharpen their singing voices and hone their dance and movement skills while working on numbers from great musicals.
All classes are process-oriented.  At the end of each session, there is an informal sharing session, and “open house” day during which students will present class experiences to their families and friends.
Advanced students entering grades eight through 12 have the opportunity to audition for the Young Company, the advanced training session of the Theater Academy.
Led by Theater Academy Director John Maclay and Director Todd Denning, Young Company members have the opportunity to perform in one of three productions throughout the year in this year-round class, including William Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAESAR in December 2010.  Registration is required prior to scheduling and audition.
Registration is available online at www.FirstStage.org/theateracademy.  For further questions, please call (414) 267-2970 or email academy@firststage.org.