PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 24, 2007
Media Contacts: Jacquelyn Rardin, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
jrardin@villagetheatre.org
www.villagetheatre.org
VILLAGE THEATRE ANNOUNCES
ISSAQUAH KIDSTAGE FALL CLASSES WITH NEW
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Classes Begin October 8, 2007
ISSAQUAH, WA –Village Theatre KIDSTAGE announces its Fall line-up of theatre classes for students
of all ages, including “Barnyard Dance and Birthday Monsters,” “Adventures at Hogwarts,” and “Art of
Auditioning.” Classes in Issaquah run October 8 to December 8, 2007.
KIDSTAGE is also introducing a new program structure, with classes divided into three specific
sections: Early Stages – Literature and Life Skills (Pre-K–Grade 2), Fundamental Stages – Building
Blocks for Young Actors (Grades 3–12), and Musical Theatre – Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced
(Grade 1–Age 20). KIDSTAGE has added more beginning to advanced choices. Starting with 3rd grade,
both introductory exploration and more advanced skill building classes are offered for each grade range.
Students can also pair classes for more serious study and the opportunity to participate in a two day per
week intensive track. The curriculum is designed to provide students increasing challenges according to
their developing skills in theatre and life.
Classes range from $135-$250. Parents receive a 10 percent discount when registering more than
one student from the same family or when registering for more than one class. One discount per family
only. Each registered student will also receive one half-price single ticket to any Village Theatre
Mainstage production. Registration forms are available online at www.villagetheatre.org or by calling
Village Theatre’s Youth Education office at (425) 392-1942 x148.
-more-
Page Two…Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Stucture
ISSAQUAH KIDSTAGE Fall Classes
at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA
EARLY STAGES – LITERATURE AND LIFE SKILLS (PRE-K–2ND GRADE):
Early Stages are literature based exploratory classes that encourage confidence by building theatre and
life skills in a fun and encouraging environment. Process over product is emphasized. Developmentally
appropriate exercises and activities teach beginning terminology and theatre skills in every class. Students
also learn valuable life skills such as taking turns, listening, speaking up, and being part of a team — all
in a safe atmosphere where it is easy to make new friends. Classes are offered year-round and have a
different theme each session. A presentation for family and friends is held on the last day of each class.
Story Explorers (PreK-K)
Barnyard Dance and Birthday Monsters
Mondays 2:30–3:30 PM, October 15–December 3, 2007
Tuition: $135
A creative approach to acting out popular literature, students explore Sandra Boynton's magical
books and themes, create characters, and bring the stories to life.
Miss Spider’s Tea Party
Tuesdays 2:30–3:30 PM, October 16–December 4, 2007
Tuition: $135
Why will no one accept Miss Spider's invitation to tea? Step into the shoes of David Kirk's many
terrific insects that scurry and scamper to find out what happens. This class is a delightful blend
of physical expression and character exploration.
Fables and Fairytales (Grades K–1)
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Mondays 4:00–5:00 PM, October 15–December 4, 2007
Tuition: $135
Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, students will explore and bring to life the story of
the merry elves, a shoemaker, and his wife, as well as other elvish fairy tales. Explorations
include physical and vocal expression.
-more-
Page Three…Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
Happily Ever After
Wednesdays (early release) 2:30–3:30 PM, October 17–December 5, 2007
Tuition: $135
The Golden Goose by Brothers Grimm and other classic fairy tales will inspire students to
embark upon mystical adventures that end with "happily ever after." Explorations include
movement, art, and music.
Creative Chronicles (Grades 1–2)
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Thursdays 4:00–5:30 PM, October 11–December 6, 2007
Tuition: $165
Students will use their voices and bodies to explore the characters and themes of Shel
Silverstein's wacky and wonderful poems and stories, such as The Giving Tree and Where the
Sidewalk Ends.
FUNDAMENTAL STAGES – Building Blocks for Young Actors (Grades 3–12)
Fundamental Stages are introductory exploration classes. Students learn valuable life skills such as
teamwork, creativity, collaboration, imagination, public speaking, problem solving, and responsibility. A
class presentation or demonstration is held on the last day of each class.
Character Quests (Grades 3–5)
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Thursdays 4:00–5:30 PM, October 11–December 6, 2007
Tuition: $165
Prerequisite: none, although Early Stages or Elementary Acting classes are highly recommended.
Students will learn how to create characters from the ground up by using and developing their
own unique vocal and physical skills. Basic theatre and acting terminology are woven throughout
the class as students explore characters from the books by L. Frank Baum, such as The Wizard of
Oz.
-more-
Page Four… Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
Ensemble Building (Grades 6–8)
Adventures at Hogwarts
Mondays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, November 12–December 3, 2007
Tuition: $135
Prerequisites: none, although Character Quests, Acting 2, or Acting 3 is highly recommended.
Learn what it takes to work from a book, poem, or short story to bring a story to life through
dialogue and movement in an ensemble environment. This class offers a fun approach to
developing characters, investigating conflict and resolution, and working together to create
scenes.
Acting 101 (Grades 9–12)
Teen Scene
Mondays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 8-29, 2007
Tuition: $135
Prerequisites: none, although Ensemble Building or Acting 3 is highly recommended.
This is an introductory course for teen student to learn acting techniques. Class will explore
character development, ensemble building, and monologue and/or scene-study from
contemporary plays.
MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES (Grade 1–Age 20):
Musical Theatre Classes are for students ready to develop or increase skills in all areas of musical theatre.
Class time includes learning music, staging, choreography, and rehearsal terminology. In the introductory
level classes (Musical Moves) the focus is on the process of developing skills. There is an open class the
last day of the session that demonstrates the new abilities of the students. In the intermediate and
advanced level classes, students collaborate in developing a musical showcase of material that is
performed for family and friends at the end of the session. All classes have a different theme each session.
Students are encouraged students to study year-round.
-more-
Page Five… Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
BEGINNING MUSICAL THEATRE:
Musical Moves – Section A (Grades 1–2)
Jungle Book
Mondays 5:15–6:15 PM, October 15–December 3, 2007
Tuition: $135
Musical Moves – Section B (Grades 3–5)
KIDS on Broadway
Wednesdays 4:00–5:00 PM, October 17–December 5, 2007
Tuition: $135
Prerequisites: none, although Early Stages classes are highly recommended.
Students in Musical Moves will be introduced to the three key elements of musical theatre:
dancing, singing, and acting. These classes help students strengthen flexibility, learn the
fundamental elements of jazz and ballet, and gain the confidence necessary to move well on
stage. Students also will explore singing and acting while working on material from either Jungle
Book or the popular Broadway shows such as Annie, Peter Pan, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, The
Lion King, and Mary Poppins.
INTERMEDIATE MUSICAL THEATRE:
Broadway Foundations– Section A (Grades 3–5) Section B (Grades 6–8)
Art of Auditioning
Tuesdays 4:00–6:00 PM, October 16 – December 4, 2007
Tuition: $210*
Prerequisites: Musical Theatre classes, previous KIDSTAGE performance, or permission.
Highly recommended for students planning to audition for Ensemble.
Celebrating each student's unique ability to create a memorable audition, participants will be
introduced to techniques that will strengthen their auditioning skills: material selection,
monologues, 32-bars of a song, reading sides, and learning choreography. Perfect preparation for
the winter Ensemble auditions or for students who just want to continue fine-tuning their singing,
dancing, and acting skills. Students who participate in this class will receive a $50.00 discount on
their tuition to Ensemble if they are cast in the production.
-more-
Page Six… Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
Singing for Musical Theatre (Grades 4–12)
Beginning: Mondays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 8-29, 2007
Intermediate: Wednesdays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 10-31, 2007
Advanced: Thursdays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 11 - November 1, 2007
Tuition: $165
Placement by audition or permission.
A class designed to help performers develop strengths singing for musical theatre. Learn vocal
technique, music theory, breath control, rhythm, melody, and sight-reading. You will expand your
vocal range, fine tune your ear, strengthen breathing, and learn new music in a small class of
eight students maximum. (This class does not take the place of individual voice lessons, which
should be taken privately, year-round for serious singers.)
Saturday Morning Dancing (Grades 4–8)
Dance Call 101
Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM, October 13 – December 8, 2007
Tuition: $165*
Prerequisites: Musical Moves, Dance for Musical Theatre, a KIDSTAGE production, or
permission. Highly recommended for students planning to audition for the Ensemble production
of Aladdin Jr. Each week, students will learn a new dance combination and will explore acting
through dance, specificity of movement, dancing with strength, and selling a dance number. The
class will fine tune your performance skills and prepare you for any future audition.
Tap (Beginning/Intermediate)
Saturdays 10:30–11:30 AM, October 13 – December 8, 2007
Tuition: $135*
Tap is an essential skill for all musical theatre performers. Students develop fundamental
technique, rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and style.
(*$240.00 discounted price for both classes in combination)
-more-
Page Seven… Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE:
Saturday Morning Dancing (Grades 7–Age 20)
Dance Essentials
Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM, October 13 – December 8, 2007
Tuition: $165*
Prerequisites: Two years of dance training, or by permission. Highly recommended for Company
and TeenSelect cast members. Dance Essentials provides tools to increase your flexibility and
strengthen your core. Learn the jazz steps you need to know, the fundamentals of turns and
jumps, and partner dances.
Tap (Intermediate/Advanced)
Saturdays 10:30–11:30 AM, October 13 – December 8, 2007
Tuition: $135*
Prerequisites: Two years of dance training, or by permission. Highly recommended for Company
and TeenSelect cast members. Tap is an essential skill for all musical theatre performers. Students
develop fundamental technique, rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and style.
(*$240.00 discounted price for both classes in combination)
Steve Tomkins Performance Studio (Grades 9–Age 20)
Mondays 6:30–9:00 PM, October 15–December 3, 2007
Tuition: $250*
By audition or invitation only. Highly recommended for Company and TeenSelect cast members.
For the most advanced students who want to train at a professional level. Focus is on fine tuning
each element of the triple threat performer. Guest artists will educate students on specific theatre
skills such as: monologues, scene work, singing, dancing, stage combat, dialects, and auditioning.
The session will culminate with a special visit from Village Theatre Artistic Director, Steve
Tomkins.
*$200 discounted price for Company and TeenSelect Members.
About Village Theatre KIDSTAGE:
Designed to encourage teamwork, personal integrity, self-esteem and a life-long appreciation for live theatre, KIDSTAGE is a year-round
performing arts training program in Issaquah, Everett and Stanwood for young people ages 3-20. KIDSTAGE students participate in
classes, workshops and full-scale KIDSTAGE productions. All performances are by KIDSTAGE students and classes are taught by
professional theatrical instructors.
-more-
Page Eight… Village Theatre Announces Issaquah KIDSTAGE Fall Classes with New Program
Structure
About Village Theatre
Based in Issaquah, WA, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific
Northwest. Producing entertaining quality productions for the entire family since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the
region's best-attended Equity theatres, with over 17,000 subscribers and 170,000 projected total attendance each season. Through
its Village Originals program, Village Theatre is nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals,
having launched over 60 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its youth
education programs, Pied Piper and KIDSTAGE, serving over 53,000 young people, families, and schools annually.
Village Theatre season sponsors are The Boeing Company, Continental Airlines, Microsoft and Lombardi’s.
Village Theatre is also funded in part by 4Culture/King County Lodging Tax Revenue, ArtsFund, ArtsUnited, Bellevue Arts
Commission, City of Everett, City of Issaquah, Freixenet/Deakin Estates, Issaquah Arts Commission, The National Endowment
for the Arts, Northwest Suites, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, PONCHO, The Shubert Foundation, Snohomish County
Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, Standing Ovation, and Washington State Arts Commission.
# # #