Theatre Educational Programming Plan for the 2016 Winter/Spring Opening & Second Act Classes New River Stage in Blacksburg, Virginia

Introduction  –  OPENING  ACT Opening Act is for students age 7 and up.

This class is an introduction to theater arts which includes a variety of age appropriate acting technique lessons. Children will audition for parts in the show within the class and be responsible for managing their script, learning lines and blocking. Every child in the class will have an important role in the show, but some parts will be larger based on individual skill level.

OPENING ACT students learn all about the four elements of theatre: Face, Voice, Body and Stage. They then apply those elements to a play that has been written with THEM in mind! Everyone has an important role to play, and every student will be expected to learn lines, but don’t  worry,  we’ll  learn  how  to  memorize  lines  and  work  together  to  create  a  show.  

Must be able to read at grade level. Special techniques explored in the Spring 2016 semester will include audition techniques, speaking with a variety of accents and acting as animals and fantasy creatures. Students will also explore isolation of elements. (How do you act with just your face? Or just your voice?)

Introduction  –  SECOND  ACT Second Act is for students in grades 6-12 -OR- more developed students who have already taken Opening Act Classes and need more of a challenge. SECOND ACT offers a more advance exposure to theater arts and includes a variety of age appropriate acting technique lessons. Are you ready to take on a bigger challenge? Are you interested in auditioning for community shows or getting ready for school play or your next stage of theatre education? When you have grown beyond Opening Act techniques, SECOND ACT is for you! We will be using the same play as Opening Act, but you will be asked to go above and beyond, because  you  can  do  more!  We’ll  also  explore  outside  works  to  delve  deeper  and  broader into the concepts  embedded  in  your  script  material.  You’ll  also  be  asked  to  do  some  self-directing, critical thinking, and peer work towards creating your own artistic portfolio and individual character. There will be a focus on students telling their own stories and developing their own skills to reach their own goals, whether they are acting, technical, or within a business environment. There will also be a focus on partnership with local schools and other community theatre organizations to address all types of student needs. Opportunities will be offered to make performing arts education affordable and effective and will be flexible enough to change and be molded specifically to our community with a focus on high-quality educational programming that meets Virginia SOL standards.

Why  take  a  New  River  Stage  Class? Who is this for: Opening & Second Act is for New River Valley community members, students aged 7-up. We continually develop partnerships with local organizations such as the Blacksburg Children’s Museum with a desire to remain inclusive to anyone who wishes to participate in the classes and shows. We are also looking to develop a class for younger kids in the preschool-K grades in Fall 2016. Why is theater important: Everyone needs an artistic outlet, especially a creative one that may inspire more creative ideas. It would serve not only to improve life, school and workplace skills – such as project leadership, collaboration, creative problem solving, writing, public speaking and presentations – but also gives students and community members the opportunity of being an actor, writer, or director and experience theatre in new light.

Leadership

AJ Moose

Owner of AJ’s Antiques & eBay Services in Christiansburg President of New River Stage

Over 36 years of experience in all aspects of community theater

Current President of New River Stage Experienced youth theater director Served as Choir Director of Salem Church of

Christ 2009-2012 Served as Youth Minister, Choir Director,

Youth Theater Director for Graceway Church 2012-2014.

Local business owner with deep roots in the community.

MBA Strayer University

Potential  Partnerships These educational programs have the potential not only to create theatre opportunities for individual actors, and individuals in our community who may want to try and learn at writing, acting or directing, but also for other established community theatre organizations who could not otherwise be able to afford or find similar opportunities for more diverse, smaller, and locally based works or their own intensive educational programs. These partners would also have the overall benefit of being a part of an overarching organization where the majority of students and players would live and work, allowing for their own outreach and partnering in the New river Valley. Mentors will also be sought out from potential partners to make sure educational program stays relevant and necessary in meeting the needs in our community. Potential Arts Partners We Would Seek to Include in Future Programming:

Summer Musical Enterprise Showtimers Theatre Blacksburg Comedy Club Virginia Tech Theatre and Cinema and Student Performance Groups Radford University Theatre and Cinema and Student Performance Groups Hollins University Theatre and Cinema and Student Performance Groups New River Valley Public Schools Theatre Classes and Groups

Regional Educational Partners We Would Seek in Mentorship: Barter Theatre (SWVA) Live Arts, Inc. (Central VA) Four County Players (SWVA) American Shakespeare Center (SWVA) SPARC (Central VA)

Opening  &  Second  Act  Class  Material Acting for the stage Audition Techniques: Straight Plays Audition Techniques: Musical Theatre Costuming, Fashion Design and Cosplay Developing Character Improvisation and Comedy Introduction to Acting Make-Believe and Pretend Movement for the Stage Multicultural Touchstones: Greek, Russian, African, Asian, and Latin Theatre Musical Theatre Props and Puppetry Public Speaking, Making Speeches, Persuasive Debate, Poetry and Prose Reader’s  Theatre Storybook Theatre Storytelling Technical Design

Schedule  Spring  2016 SPRING SHOW 2016 (12 Weeks) Opening Act (Youth to Beginners Theatre):

“The (ALMOST) Totally True Story of Hansel & Gretel” Second Act (Intermediate Theatre):

“The (ALMOST) Totally True Story of Hansel & Gretel” Type of Class TIME DAY START DATE LENGTH SHOW DATE

OPENING ACT 6-7:30PM MONDAY 02/01/2016 12 Weeks 05/07/2016

SECOND ACT 6-7:30PM THURSDAY 02/04/2016 12 Weeks 05/07/2016

Basic Semester Structure: Each class will offer the same source material, but the depth may differentiate due to the skill level of students attending in each class. Class meets once a week. Additional tutoring or private lessons of students enrolled in classes is available by request. The end of class showcase will be staged at Warm Heath on the Village stage. The location is 2387 Warm Hearth Drive. The sound system and space is well suited to our program and it is much easier to find parking. Tech/dress rehearsals will be scheduled for 5/5 and 5/6 the time to be announced. The show is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th at 10:30 AM. Call time for actors is 9:00 AM. Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast and is well rested. Classes will meet at the Blacksburg Children’s  Museum  located  in  the  First  &  Main  shopping plaza. In case of inclement weather a make-up class will be offered when possible. Weather related cancellations will be posted to the New River Stage Facebook Page and sent out by email.

Class  Fee  Structure New River Stage is a 501( c )(3) Non-profit organization. There will be reasonable fees associated with all courses and services provided. Prices will remain competitive and affordable as the educational program seeks to optimize community participation. Class Pricing Spring 2016:

$150 per series of 12-week classes. $125 for students who are members of the Blacksburg Children’s Museum. $25 per child discount for families with multiple children participating in classes In cases of extreme need, scholarships and financial aid, or other service swap

suggestions will also be considered and negotiated, will be available to students who want to take a class but may not be able to afford these suggested fees

Payment is due in full by/at the first class unless special arrangements have been made. Classes run for 12 weeks with a class showcase scheduled on Saturday, May 7th 2016. There will be two days of tech/dress rehearsal prior to the showcase. Once your payment is confirmed please email AJ Moose at newriverstageinfo@gmail.com to confirm with your child's name and contact information so we can forward you the class packet. You can also mail class payment checks to New River Stage, PO Box 6363, Christiansburg, VA 24068.

Snacks  &  Storage  Requirements Due to a variety or food allergies every student must bring their own drink and snack to class. We will have a 10 minute snack/restroom break each class. Drinks must be in a sealed cup or bottle with the child’s name. We politely requested that no food brought into the room contains peanuts. Students need to bring a box or bag to class with their name on it to keep all of their papers, scripts, costume bits organized. It is their responsibility to come to class prepared and ready to work.

Forms With every educational organization, paperwork is required to keep children safe, keep students engaged in future programming, and to organize generated revenue streams. Here is the class registration form for student information and emergency cards, and photography release forms to be used in media and marketing. Class Registration From:

T-Shirt Size (Adult) (Child) – please circle one Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL

Emergency Contact Card:

Photography Release Form: In consideration of the engagement as a model of the minor named below, I hereby grant the following rights and permissions to: New River Stage Photographer, his/her legal representatives and assigns, those for whom Photographer is acting, and those acting with his/her authority and permission. They have the absolute right and permission to take, use, reuse, publish, and republish photographic portraits or pictures of the minor or in which the minor may be included, in whole or in part, or composite or distorted in character or form, without restriction as to changes or alterations from time to time, in conjunction with the minor's own or a fictitious name, or reproductions of such photographs in color or otherwise, made through any medium at Photographer's studios or elsewhere, and in any and all media now or hereafter known, including the internet, for art, advertising, trade, or any other purpose whatsoever. I also consent to the use of any published matter in conjunction with such photographs. I specifically consent to the digital compositing or distortion of the portraits or pictures, including without restriction any changes or alterations as to color, size, shape, perspective, context, foreground or background. I waive any right that I or the minor may have to inspect or approve any finished product or products or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in connection with such photographs or the use to which it may be applied. I understand that the images of the minor may be used in media, press, marketing or advertisements to promote the Opening & Second Act programs and New River Stage in print and online. I release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless and defend Photographer, his/her legal representatives or assigns, and all persons acting under his/her permission or authority or those for whom he/she is acting, from any liability by virtue of any reason in connection with the making and use of such photographs, including blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking of said picture or in any subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication of them, including without limitation any claims for libel or violation of any right of publicity or privacy. I hereby warrant that I am a legal competent adult and a parent or legally appointed guardian of the minor, and that I have every right to contract for the minor in the above regard. I state further that I have read the above authorization, release, and agreement, prior to its execution, and that I am fully familiar with the contents of it. This release shall be binding upon the minor and me, and our respective heirs, legal representatives, and assigns. Parent (Guardian) Signature: ______________________________________ Date: _________________________________________

Contact  Information:

New River Stage Website: newriverstage.org Website: newriverstage.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewRiverStage

AJ Moose Contact Information: Harmony Faye Tripp Kaiser Contact Information:

newriverstageinfo@gmail.com harmonytripp@yahoo.com New River Stage PO Box 6363 Christiansburg, VA 24068 540-239-2283