About the Acting Classes
Mary Beach’s children’s acting classes focus on creativity, imagination, and confidence building combined with skills and knowledge of theater and production. In the classes, we feature a wide range of activities which help to activate the children’s imagination and engage in activities which challenge the children to think out side of the box and evoke the creativity within them. The classes are divided into two separate classes, with the first class consisting of children ages 4 to 6 years old, and the second of children ages 7 to 14 years old. In each of the classes, lessons in acting and basic theater production are taught according to age group. For the fall session we will work on skits, commercials, and small performances with the older kids and reader’s theater plays with the younger kids. In the spring session we will do a major production that involves both age groups and have multiple performances to showcase our work to parents, friends, and the community.
Four to Six Year-Old Class and Preschool Classes
This is an absolutely delightful class for these youngsters who are so full of imagination and wonder. They get a fabulous opportunity to express themselves here. Voice and diction are taught on stage so they can learn to speak loudly and clearly. This will help them in school with oral speaking like you wouldn’t believe! Creative stage movement is learned through acting as different characters such as animals, royalty, pirates, super heroes, and more. Musical theater is also taught to these fine thespians. These acting skills will be taught with costume dress up, storybook theater, and drama games and activities. A handout will be passed out at the beginning of each session, stating what they will learn each week. If Mrs. Beach is visiting a school she will design the program adequately for each age group and the school's needs.
Seven to Fourteen Year-Old Class
This is an extremely popular class. This class has been a mixture of talent. Some of the actors have done a lot of theater and some television or film work, while there have been others who are just giving acting a try. There is a wonderful combination here where everyone seems to be challenged to meet their needs at their own pace. The actors learn many drama games which help them to develop the idea of creating rich characters whether through scene work or working on our spring production. Audition techniques are learned to prepare the kids for casting in theater and television and film. Reading scripts with feeling and performing will help the actors with public speaking and school presentations. I found the shyest of students emerge from my classes speaking louder, prouder, and with great confidence! A handout will be passes out for each session with specific class workshop areas that will be taught. Some sessions may end in a performance whether it is Reader's Theater or another type of production. If Mrs. Beach is visiting a school she will design the program adequately for each age group and the school's needs.
To sign your child up for acting classes please send an email via the Contact Mary page.
