Education

Studio/School

Mission: Open Stage of Harisburg Studio/School is a training program dedicated to developing the students skill, knowledge, and appreciation of the process of acting and the making of theatre.

Philosophy: Open Stage of Harrisburg Studio/School believes that every student, of any age and ability, should experience personal and artistic growth. Students participate in ensemble work within an environment that supports everyone's contributions. Above all, every student is encouraged to use his or her personal experiences, perspectives, and unique personality to uncover the many layers of creativity.

Fall and Winter Classes for Children and Teens

Creative Dramatics is an improvisational form of drama in which participants are guided by a leader to imagine, enact, and reflect upon human experiences.Creative Dramatics facilitates the development of language and communication skills, as well as problem solving skills and creativity. It can also enhance a child’s self-concept, social awareness, empathy, and understanding of the art of theatre.

Creative Dramatics

Grades 3-5
Saturdays 10:00-11:00 a.m.
September 20 – November 8
January 17 – March 7
$120 ($110 Early Bird*)

For children who have never taken class at Open Stage, this class offers sharing sessions for family and friends at the end of each term.

Creative Dramatics Workshop

Grades 4-6
Saturdays 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
September 20 - November 8
January 17 - March 7
$135 ($125 Early Bird*)
Prerequisite:One term of Creative Dramatics and/or instructor’s approval.

A two-term class with a performance. The students create an original drama from their collective imaginations and are encouraged to stretch their creativity by applying many interpretations to the same scenario, idea, and concept.

Performance:Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Middle School Workshop

Grades 7-8
Saturdays 10:00-11:30 AM
September 20 – November 8
January 17 - March 7
$135 ($125 Early Bird*)

A two-term class with a performance. Students continue to develop skills acquired in Creative Dramatics, but at a more sophisticated level, by creating an original performance piece from improvisation, classic literature, and dramatic writings. (If the student desires to perform at the end of the second term, he or she must be enrolled in the first term or receive instructor approval).

Performance:Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM

High School Workshop

Grades 9-12
Saturdays 11:45-1:45 p.m.
September 20 - November 8
January 17 – March 7
$175 ($155 Early Bird*)

This class provides the high school student with the opportunity to explore formal acting techniques, script analysis, voice, and movement.Participants in this class will create an original performance piece with the incorporation of formal theatre text. For new and returning students.

Performance: Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 3 p. m

OSHKids
Open Stage’s Children’s Theatre Company

Grades: All (BY INVITATION ONLY )
Thursdays and Saturdays, February 14-Saturday, May 9, 2009 (Additional weeknight rehearsals required May 10 - 14, 2009).
$375 ($350 Early Bird*)

Prerequisite: A select group of students who have attended at least one class at Open Stage will research, rehearse and perform in a fully-staged production of a play suitable for young people. Students will work and learn from theatre professionals.

Performances:May 15, 16, 17 2009

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FALL AND WINTER CLASSES

FOR ADULTS

Acting Technique

Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM
September 29 - November 17
January 12 – March 2
$200 ($180 Early Bird*)

A practical, relaxed approach to acting, using exercises developed by famed teacher Sanford Meisner. Helps the actor to work spontaneously with a partner, and eliminate fear and self-consciousness. For beginning and experienced students. Repeatable.

Improvisation for Adults (8 weeks)

Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM
April 1 – May 20
$180 ($160 Early Bird*)

Everybody’s favorite class! Adults can stretch their imaginations in creating scenarios and characters that enlighten and entertain.

Scene Study

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 PM
September 30 - November 18
January 13 – March 3
$200 ($180 Early Bird*)

Prerequisite: Acting Technique
This repeatable class combines scene analysis and performance of scenes from classic plays with research methods for actors. Includes monologue development and audition preparation.

Studio Workshop

September 30 - November 18
Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:30 PM
January 13 – March 3
$200 ($180 Early Bird*)

Prerequisite: Scene Study, and/or by invitation
Ensemble work geared to the development of new theatre projects. Participants function in a laboratory for performance studies, sometimes creating new works. Includes appearance in a public performance. Requires extra rehearsal evenings. This year’s work will focus on the creation of solo and group performance art.
Performances: Thursday and Friday, March 5, 6, 2009, 7:00 PM

Voice lessons with Carolyn Dorff

For adults and children

Mondays 6 - 7 p. m.

NEW SESSION STARTING SEPTEMBER 29 - NOVEMBER 3

$180

Group voice class for students 12 to adult focusing on both classical and musical theatre repertoire.

STUDIO/SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

AUDITIONINGFOR THE THEATRE

Ages 14 through adult
Saturday-Sunday, October 18-19, 2:00 – 6:00 PM both days
$125 ($115 Early Bird*)

How to get the role. Activities include song and monologue preparation, cold reading technique, and critique of your audition by a panel of local professionals.

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MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP

Ages 8 through adult
Saturday-Sunday, February 7-8, 2:00 - 6:00 PM both days (Grades 6-8)
$125 ($115 Early Bird*)

Intensive experiences in singing, dancing, and acting. Students spend eight hours over two days learning the craft and history of the best works in musical theatre.

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To register or for additional information
click here to send an e-mail
OR CONTACT
OPEN STAGE OF HARRISBURG
223 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone 717-214-3250
Fax 717-232-1505

Payment
A student will be guaranteed a place in class upon receipt of payment in full. Tuition does not include materials or texts. There will be no tuition refunds after the start of classes. *To receive Early Bird discounts, payment must be received one week prior to the start date of each class.

Location
All classes meet at Open Stage, 223 Walnut Street, in the street level of the Walnut Street Parking Garage.

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Student Matinees
The perfect way to make education come alive--morning performances of the best of Open Stage. Always suitable for young audiences, many shows are followed by exciting discussions with experts. Teachers and their classes can make a day of it in downtown Harrisburg! Affordable and fun for all.

   THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
   By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
   Adapted by Wendy Kesselman
   March 10, 11, 12, 13, Curtain: 10:00 AM
   at Sunoco Performance Theatre,
   Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
   Call 717-214-3250 for information

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Drama Residencies
An Open Stage actor/teacher can come into your school to work with kids in developing original plays based on curriculum topics, from Language Arts to Science. After school or during the school day, it's a great experience!

Post-Performance Interactives
Join experts in lively discussions following Sunday matinees of most performances. Don't just watch the play- interact!

Study Guides
Free to our audiences, Open Stage Study Guides extend the play going experience by offering more info about the play and issues related to it. Help yourself! At Open Stage, the learning never ends!

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Founded in 2001 through a partnership between the Captial Area Intermediate Unit and Open Stage of Harrisburg, The Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) offers intensive instruction in visual art, dance, music, media arts, and theatre to qualified high school students in the CAIU. Located in several sites in the heart of downtown Harrisburg, the school uses the city as its "classroom", affording its students access to the numerous resources located downtown, and utilizing a yearly theme based on the urban environment. The school's Vision Statement reads:

"The Capital Area School for the Arts will be the significant and innovative provider of multidisciplinary arts education to school entities throughout the area. It will attract the most talented and motivated students and be a model for arts education."

CASA Staff
Visual Art Instructor: Renata Kagle

Dance Instructor: Rosemary Battista

Media Arts Instructor: Caleb Smith

Music Instructor: T.J. Boyer

Theatre Instructor: Lisa Weitzman

Program Director: Anne Alsedek

Principal: Cheryl Giles-Redowski

Secretary: Rose Hoopes

To contact CASA,
call 717-214-0593

Capital Area School for the Arts convenes in downtown Harrisburg in the following locations
Salem U. C. C., Third and Chestnut Streets and 17 South Third St.

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