K4 & K5 Class with Ashlea Wleklinski and Brenna KempfIn K4-K5 Acting, students will explore the ROOTS of a scene (relationship, objec-tive, obstacle, tactics, and stakes) to create dynamic stage pictures. They will begin to explore working as an ensemble, using their imagination, bodies, and voices as instruments. Students will use and apply concepts of stage direction in creat-ing short, frozen scenes and learn about the narrative structure essential to good storytelling.
1st-2nd Grade Class with Jennifer Adams and Nate PressThis session we will explore how actors use the body, voice, and imagination to create characters and tell stories. We will explore acting techniques through books such as Caps for Sale, My Many Colored Days, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and many more! Through a different storybook each week students will use improvisation and creative storytelling to build confidence, make create choices, and work as a team.
A Note from the Academy DIrectors
FYI...On Stage:
A MIDNIGHT CRYInspired by the true story of a young slave’s journey to freedom! For tickets call (414) 267-2961 or visit www.FirstStage.org.
NEWS FROM THE ACADEMY • Volume 3 Issue 8 • Winter Academy 2014 at St. Marcus
...read more inside...
IN FOCUSis the newsletter of the
First Stage Theater Academy,published each session to
highlight the work of our staff and students.
Jennifer AdamsEditor
Patrick G.H. SchleyGraphic Design
Want to get moreinvolved at First Stage?Join the Green Room Society, our Volunteer Group! Contact Heather at (812) 201-4285 or [email protected] for info!
We can’t think of a more exciting place to learn and grow in the arts than the First Stage Theater Academy! Every moment in the Academy is unique and exciting. One minute our students are taking big bold risks, in the next they are analyzing scripts, and then developing stories of their own. They do all this while encouraging each other to try their best and be themselves. Our partnership with St. Marcus School is very dear to us and we are happy to bring our programming to the school each Wednesday afternoon. Through theater activities we aim to support St. Marcus stu-dents in their social, emotional, and creative growth as citizens today and into the future.
— Jennifer Adams and Katie Cummings
Top photo byLindsey Abendschein
InFOCUS
School’s Out for the day? Come to First
Stage!Our Play in a Day classes are available throughout the year on MPS days off. Register at www.FirstStage.org!
What’s going on in the classrooms?
proud Cornerstonemember of
FIRST STAGETHEATER ACADEMYLife Skills Through Stage Skills
3rd-5th Grade Class with Allie Bonesho and Karl IglesiasIn this class, we will challenge ourselves to bring life to specific characters, emerge ourselves in various set-tings, and actively call on our problem solving skills to complete our many adventures. We will learn about the structure of a play, articulation, physical and vocal awareness, and the essentials of character development. Games, scenarios, and creative movement will allow us to call on our acting skills to create memorable mo-ments.
In Focus
page 2
Volume 3 Issue 8
page 3
What’s Going On in the Classrooms? (continued)
In First Stage classes, students learn...
Join us for “anatole”Students will recieve a ticket voucher for ANATOLE this session—we hope to see you at the show!
When the noble French mouse Anatole learns that humans view mice as the villains of France, he embarks on a musical adventure to save a cheese fac-tory, restore his family’s honor, conquer a cat, and truly become a Mouse Mag-nifique! Based on the Caldecott medal winning books, Anatole is the story of France’s bravest and most honorable mouse. A wonderful mix of genuine heart and absolute hilarity, AnATOlE promises to delight every member of the family. The production runs February 21-March 16 at the Todd Wehr Theater.
Meet the Faculty & StaffVisit www.FirstStage.org to read more about all of our staff members!
Jason Knop, Lead Teacher
Jennifer Adams, Academy Director
Katie Cummings, Academy Director
Patrick Schley,Academy
Services Mgr.
Malkia Stampley, CommunityPartnership Coordinator
Nate Press
Allie Bonesho Rubi Gonzalez, Wednesday
Intern
Karl Iglesias,Lead Teacher
Brenna Kempf
AshleaWleklinski
All photos by Lindsey Abendschein
T e a c h i n g L i f e S k i l l s T h r o u g h S t a g e S k i l l s
JUNE 16 – AUGUST 8, 2014Teaching life skills through stage skills in the nation’s
largest theater training program for young people
M I LWAU K EE • B R O O K F I EL D • O C O N O M OWO C
R e g i s t e r O n l i n e a t w w w . F i r s t S t a g e . o r g