2009-2010 Season Catalog7

1305 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94301

Message from the Director

Be an arts advocate!

Judge Luckey Thank you for your interest in the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre! As you plan for the school year, look to the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre for exceptional ways to enrich your child’s learning experience with performing arts. Browse through our brochure of performing arts classes and workshops designed to spark creativity and the imagination of all. Studies show a significant impact of the arts on students’ academic performance. But did you know that the arts dramatically influence how children feel about themselves and the world around them? Yes! The same studies pointing to the value of the arts to grades and test scores also tell us that young people exposed to the arts are more self-disciplined, socially conscious, empathetic and tolerant of others. The arts not only create better students; they also have the potential to develop better people. Palo Alto Children’s Theatre can help. This fall we launch new classes in acting, dance and musical theatre. Staffed with professional artists from around the bay area, Children’s Theatre offers standards-based quality performing arts instruction for children and youth. We also have exciting workshops and productions that connect children to the arts and the world around them. From our early learning classes to our productions designed for all ages, the 2009-2010 season has much to offer. We hope you join us for an amazing journey. Judge Luckey Producing Artistic Director

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Arts Education is invaluable!

rt education programs in California and around the nation are being drastically cut or eliminated. With the current state of the economy schools are facing budget cuts reducing arts education resources, ultimately costing today’s youth the invaluable benefits of receiving quality instruction in the performing arts. While parents may fear that participation in theatre will damage their child’s academic progress, a UCLA study concluded that students involved in the arts tend to have higher academic performance and better standardized test scores--nearly 100 points better on the SAT, according to a separate study conducted by The College Board. Academic gains are not the only benefits. Theatre brings about improved selfconfidence, better public speaking skills as well as the ability to work with an ensemble in cooperative ventures and the ability to work through consensus and differences or obstacles to achieve a goal. Studying theatre can be a great starting point for careers in law, teaching, and politics. And the ability to speak confidently in front of a group is an asset in any career.

Get Involved! Palo Alto Children’s Theatre addresses the skills which benefit education and development in five general areas: physical development/kinesthetic skills, artistic development/drama and theatre skills, mental development/thinking skills, personal development/intra-personal skills, and social development/interpersonal skills. With more than seventy-five years of experience Palo Alto Children’s Theatre is a great place for kids to develop life-long skills.

Productions Firebird Written by local playwright, Tony Kienitz, Firebird follows an ailing Empress who must choose which of her sons is to become the new Emperor. This magical tale presents a celebration of family, of brotherhood, and ultimately, of the unconquerable power of love. Recommended for all ages.

Specialty Workshops • Put on a Zombie Face •Thriller Dance

The Nutcracker Follow Clara and her Prince as they journey to the land of the sugar plums and battle the mouse king and his followers in this production of The Nutcracker, adapted from the “Tales of Hoffman” is sure to delight the entire family. Recommended for all ages. Performances: Dec. 11 - Dec. 20

Performances Oct. 8-17, 2009

•Private Vocal Coaching

Preschool •NEW! Creative Play: Imagine •Story Acting •NEW! Beginning Tap

Night of the Living Dead Just in time for Halloween, Teen PACT presents special two-week, evening-only performances of Night of the Living Dead. Adapted for the stage by Lori Allen Ohm from the original horror film classic by George Romero, this suspenseful production will feature extras from our make-up and “Put on a Zombie Face” workshop. Performances: Oct. 29 - Nov. 7

•NEW! Musical Theatre Skills •Creative Dramatics

Pair a hungry mouse with one hospitable little boy and you get a tale of endless madcap glee. Who ever thought that one little cookie could lead to such a big adventure! Based on the beloved book by Laura Joffe Numeroff. Recommended for all ages.

•NEW! Voice & Diction

Performances: Jan 26 - Feb 6

•NEW! Musical Theatre Skills

In this honest and unflinching dramatization of teen-girl angst, a window is opened into the tumultuous and destructive world of girls’ bullying. Based upon interviews with girls on the giving and receiving end of bullying. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Fahrenheit 451 Adapted by science fiction author Ray Bradbury from his original novel, this gripping story is at once disturbing and poetic. Bradbury takes the materials of pulp fiction and transforms them into a visionary parable of a society gone awry, in which firemen burn books and the state suppresses learning. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Performances: Feb 25 - March 6 Performances: May 20 - May 30

Kids •Introduction to Acting

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Teens

• Introduction to Acting/Teen

The Secret Life of Girls

•Prep for College Auditions

•NEW! Preparation for College Auditions

•NEW! Beginning Tap

Productions • Firebird

•NEW! Auditioning for Film & TV • Night of the Living Dead •Sketch Comedy Improv

• The Nutcracker • If you Give a Mouse a Cookie • Secret Life of Girls • Fahrenheit 451

• Teens • Ages 13-18 Years

•Specialty Workshops• All Ages PUT ON A ZOMBIE FACE Learn the art of makeup magic! Create and apply a creepy look for the PACT production of Night of the Living Dead, opening on October 29! Create realistic bruises, cuts, scrapes techniques and more! Showcase your zombie makeup design with a walk on role in the Night of the Living Dead production, or just learn the techniques for the creepiest Halloween costume yet! For ages 8-18. Tuition is $50 res/$58 non-res. Oct. 22 - 23 Thursday & Friday 3:30-4:30pm

Private Vocal Coaching Singers age 12-18 will benefit enormously from this one-on-one instruction time with trained opera singer Cole Grissom. Learn techniques for everything from classical to musical theatre to contemporary pop singing. This all encompassing workshop is great for students preparing for an audition, perfecting songs for a performance, or for those just wishing to strengthen their singing voice. Tuition is $250res/287non-res.

THRILLER: DANCE WORKSHOP Learn the famous moves from Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller video in this fun, thrilling, four week workshop. Showcase your skills with a dance cameo in PACT’s production of Night of the Living Dead and participate in Palo Alto’s Thrill the World. Or for those with a rotten case of stage fright, performance is optional. Tuition is $85 res/ $98 non-res. Oct. 5 - 26 Mondays 3:30-5:30

Preparation for College Auditions This class provides preparation for college theatre training programs. Our professional staff has a proven record preparing students for competitive university and conservatory program auditions and interviews. Personalized sessions include: A college guide to the performing arts, selection and preparation of material for the college audition, interviewing skills and more. This 8 class (1 hour each) session is $250res/$287non-res. For ages 16-18.

MUST call to make an appointment. MUST call to make an appointment.

Introduction to Acting Explore acting technique through scene study, improvisation and character development. Students learn skills to create believable characters utilizing voice and movement. This class is for ages 13-18. Tuition is $85res/$98non-res. Sep. 12 - Nov. 7 Saturdays 3:00-4:00pm

Sep. 16 - Nov. 4 Wednesdays 5:00-6:00pm

W! Musical Theatre Skills NE Perform showstoppers from Broadway’s biggest hits! We’ll use vocal and physical warm-ups, short scenes, songs, movement and dance to develop the skills needed for acting in musicals. The course includes skills in singing, dancing and acting. Participants learn at least one chorus song and a dance number. Students in this class also have the opportunity to polish 16 bars of a song that could be used for an audition. This class is for ages 13-18. Tuition is $99res/$114non-res. Sep. 12 - Nov. 7 Saturdays 2:00-3:00pm

Sep. 14 - Nov. 9 Mondays 5:00-6:00pm

Sketch Comedy Improv Improvisation is an art form that allows students to express themselves through movement, expressions and dialogue they create without a script. Students create, act, react and respond in the moment. This class is for ages 13-18. Tuition is $85res/$98 non-res. Sep. 12 - Nov. 7 Saturdays 4:00 - 5:00pm

Sep. 15 - Nov. 3 Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00pm

• Preschool • Ages 3-5 Years

• Teens • Ages 13-18 Years ! EW Voice & Diction N This course explores the theory of vocal production.

Students work on breath awareness while singing, conveying emotion and meaning through songs, and more. The theories and practices of Berry, Linklater and Skinner will be utilized. The course goal is vocal awareness and improved vocal production. This class is for ages 13-18. Tuition is $85res/$98 non-res. Sep. 14 - Nov. 9 Mondays 4:00-5:00pm

W! Creative Play: Imagine E N Through a mixture of music, movement and storytelling, children learn to explore and express their inner world. Adult care-givers rediscover the magic of play and interact creatively with their child. This class is for ages 3-5. Tuition is $71 res/$81 non-res. Sep. 15 - Oct. 13 Tuesdays 11:00 – 11:45am 12:00 –12:45pm

Sep. 16 - Oct. 14 Wednesdays 11:00 -11:45am 12:00 -12:45pm Nov. 10 - Dec. 8 Tuesdays 11:00 – 11:45am 12:00 – 12:45pm

W! Auditioning for Film and TV NE For those interested in acting in film and television, this interactive class allows participants to explore auditioning on camera. Taught by an industry professional, this class covers resumes, photographs, unions, film, television, and commercial auditioning. This class is for ages 13-18. Tuition is $85res/$98 non-res. Sep. 15 - Nov. 10 Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:00pm

W! Introduction to Playwriting NE

Make your story a living, breathing theatrical experience. Using writing exercises, theatre games and your imagination, learn the basic elements of playwriting including how to develop a character, create dialogue, build a scene and tell your story. We will discover different sources of inspiration, explore unspoken action, and begin to shape personal voice and style. Materials fee included. This class is for ages 13 - 18. Tuition is $95res/$109 non-res. Sep. 14 - Nov. 9 Mondays 4:00 - 5:00pm

Story Acting A traditional nursery rhyme, short poem, or familiar story will be used as a basis for creating a different story to act out each session. Using improvisation, creative movement and theatre games, children learn to problem solve, creating characters and telling a story. This class is for ages 3-5. Tuition is $71 res/$81 non-res. This is not a parent participation class. Child must be stated age by first class. Class may be repeated. Sep. 12 - Oct. 17 Saturdays 10:00 -- 10:45am 11:00 –11:45am

Nov. 10 - Dec. 8 Tuesdays 10:00 – 10:45am 11:00 – 11:45am Sep. 15 - Oct. 13 Tuesdays 11:00 – 11:45am

• Kids • Ages 6-13 Years Introduction to Acting For the beginning actor, this class explores acting technique through scene study, improvisation and character development. Students learn skills that help them create believable characters utilizing voice and movement. This class is for ages 9-13. Tuition is $85 res/$98 non-res. Sep. 12 - Nov. 7 Saturdays 2:00 - 3:00pm

Sep. 16-Nov.4 Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:00pm

• Kids • Ages 6-13 Years Creative Dramatics An introduction to theatre, Creative Dramatics facilitates exploration of the imagination through creative storytelling. Students learn the basics of performance--how to use their body, voice, expressions and imagination—using children’s stories, legends and folktales. This class is for ages 6-8. Tuition is $71res/$81 non-res. Sep. 12 - Oct. 24 Saturdays 11:00 - 12:00pm

Nov. 7 - Dec. 12 Saturdays 11:00 - 12:00pm

W! Dance For Boys E N

! EW Hip Hop - Children’s Theatre N Pop, lock and drop while developing your own sense of style.

For the beginning dancer, this all boys class is a comfortable, fun, exciting way to learn the fundamentals of tap, ballet and jazz dance to all types of music. This class is for ages 7-12. Tuition is $75 res/$85 non-res.

Learn hip hop moves to today’s hottest music. Challenge yourself with this high energy class. This class is for ages 7-12. Tuition is $75res/$86non-res. Sep. 12 - Oct. 17 Nov. 7 Dec. 12

Sep. 12 - Oct. 14 Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00pm

W! Musical Theatre Skills NE Perform showstoppers from Broadway’s biggest hits! Vocal and physical warmups, short scenes, songs, movement and dance help to develop the skills needed for acting in musicals. This course includes skills in singing, dancing and acting. Participants learn at least one chorus song and a dance number. Students in this class also have the opportunity to polish 16 bars of a song that could be used for an audition. This class is for ages 10-13. Tuition is $99 res/$114 non-res. Sep. 12 - Nov. 7 Saturdays 3:00 - 4:00pm

Sep. 15 - Oct. 20 Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:00pm

Saturdays 2:00 - 3:00pm

Saturdays 2:00 - 3:00pm

W!Beginning Tap E N Bring in the noise!!! Students are introduced to the fundamentals of tap and the foundations of rhythm. The focus is on basic technique and terminology. Students develop body awareness and the ability to express themselves through movement. This class is for ages 6-9. Tuition is $75res/$85 non-res. Sep. 12 - Oct. 17 Saturdays 12:00 - 1:00pm

Sep. 15 - Oct. 13 Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00pm Nov. 7 - Dec. 12 Saturdays 12:00 - 1:00pm

Sep. 16 - Oct. 14 Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00pm