Winter/Spring 2023 Acting Classes

Classes are held at the Ryan Arts Center | 420 Chartiers Avenue | McKees Rocks

“Spring Break” April 2 – 10 (No classes held during this week)

Questions? Call 412.243.6464 to talk to our staff or email education@geminitheater.org

Class Details & Pricing

Page to Stage Acting | Ages 7 – 10

(Class Full) This more advanced dramatics class, designed for young actors, moves students out of the “fairy tale” stories into more in-depth scene work, skits and short plays. Through higher level acting games, beginning improvisation exercises, directed script work and note taking, students will further understand the rehearsal process. Students will also build confidence in their acting and auditioning skills through character development training, more advanced stage movement and voice/diction drills. Students will be part of creating an original show that will be open to family and friends to attend on their final day of class.

Acting Workshop for Kids! | Ages 7 – 11

This beginning acting class, designed for young actors, moves students out of the “fairy tale” stories into more in-depth scene work, skits and short plays. Through higher level acting games, beginning improvisation exercises, directed script work and note taking, students will further understand the rehearsal process. Students will also build confidence in their acting and auditioning skills through character development training, more advanced stage movement and voice/diction drills. This class is designed to help kids learn about short script work, monologues, and stretching their character skills. This class will culminate in a showcase of scenes and monologues.

Lights! Curtain! Musical! | Ages 8 – 12

This musical workshop allows students to use their voices beyond the script. With focus on proper voice technique for maintaining a healthy performance, students will work with their teacher to use song and basic movement to develop a musical revue which will include award-winning songs from theater and film. Each class will be dedicated to learning music and simple choreography to musical numbers. This class is meant to be fun and energetic and is recommended for students looking for an introduction to musical theater and voice.

Acting I - Workshop | Ages 10 – 14

(Class Full) Students in this class will focus on scene development through self-directed group work, complex theater games, and script work to develop broader character choices. This course will teach students how to take blocking notes in a script and to understand the motivation behind their directed movement. Script-work will include studying scenes from classic pieces through contemporary theater, including Gemini Theater original productions. Script work will also include students “directing” one another to focus on applying movement and motivation to a scene. Students will spend time on developing confidence in “cold readings,” which are common for auditions as well as how to choose a monologue for an audition situation. Though the class is performance-based, some light writing will occur during certain classes to build upon lessons taught. At least two classes will be dedicated to improvisation scenes that are designed specifically to help develop skills in establishing characters, conflict-resolution, and closure.

Shakespeare Performance Workshop | Ages 12 - 17

In this semester’s Teen Performance Workshop, we will continue exploring William Shakespeare and his works. With more students expanding their love for theater, we have found that many are curious about and eager to perform classic works. We are excited to bring this class bacl to our stage, and we hope to give your teens a unique experience learning through some of theater’s “beginnings.” Through scene work and discussion, we will work with our Gemini students to expand their theatre knowledge and skills with the hopes of a greater love and appreciation of theatre through the ages along the way.

Creative Dramatics | Ages 4 – 6

These higher-level introductory dramatics class, designed for our youngest actors, reviews and expands concepts taught in Playdate On Stage. In addition to more advanced theater games, exercises, story acting, speech and movement, students will be introduced to simple acting work with the most basic concept of using stage directions, as well as advanced vocal exercises and breathing techniques. Some classes will still have hands-on crafting activities to go with themes, which will be used as themes expand into multiple week lessons in theater. This class is held in a 10-week semester and does not culminate in a formal performance.

Parents are encouraged to participate in class.

Performance Workshop | Ages 8 - 15

This class will work together to rehearse and perform a one-act production at the end of the 4-week program. Students will work together to rehearse and prepare a condensed version of a Gemini main-stage show. In-class auditions will be held to assign roles, with all students participating in the production. In true Gemini fashion, students will have the opportunity to give input on how their characters will look and sound, as well as collaborate to make unique twists in the story. Students will learn how to take blocking notes, work as a team on stage, and help create their own live performance in one month! This class is great for students who want to perform in a live production but need a less rigorous rehearsal schedule.

Movement Theater & Dance | Ages 8+

How performers move on stage, how that information is communicated to the audience, and how this affects the story is the primary focus of this workshop. This specialty class is designed for students who are newer actors, or experienced young actors who would like to learn more about how the use of body movements help tell the story of their character throughout a show. Our teacher will also teach some introductory dance that will help enhance the students’ knowledge and comfort when part of choreographed movement. We feel this workshop is an important addition to those students who have done acting workshops or ensemble performances and plan to continue theater as part of their extra-curricular interests.

Now Available ~ Private Virtual Acting Coaching

Kaitlin Descutner is looking forward to working with your student to help them prepare for auditions, to develop technique, or to just learn more about acting! She offers lessons for 30, 45, or 60 minutes at $1 per minute. A complimentary 30 minutes will be added to your first lesson with Kaitlin. This is a chance for you and your child to get to know Kaitlin and discuss her style of coaching.

Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Fund

The Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Fund is made possible by generous support from

McSwigan Family Foundation of The Pittsburgh Foundation
Paige’s Promise
Kenny’s Club
Christopher Lynch Memorial Fund

We do our best to give every child an opportunity to participate in our assistance program.

Applications for Tuition Assistance for Acting Classes and Summer Camps are processed online during the registration process. To apply, register your child for the class you are interested in attending and select “Applying for Tuition Assistance” and complete the form. Please note that incomplete applications will delay your request.

Cancellation Policy

In the event you choose to cancel and withdraw your child from a Gemini Theater Class, the following restrictions apply:

A student withdrawn after attending less than three weeks of classes will be refunded 75% of their tuition
Student withdrawal after three weeks of classes will only eligible for credit or special refund due to emergency or medical situations or at the discretion of the Executive Director
“No Show” students may not be offered a refund if Gemini Theater is unable to make contact within three weeks of class start date. Credit for another class will be offered at the discretion of the Executive Director
Gemini Theater reserves the right to change these policies based on individual circumstance
Special circumstances where a credit may not be issued include loss of class day due to severe weather conditions causing Gemini Theater to shut down or close temporarily.

COVID Requirements

Gemini Theater is requiring that all guests, students, patrons, and other visitors wear a mask when attending any show, class or event. Proof of vaccination is not required AT THIS TIME, since many of our visitors are children below the recommended age to receive it. With continuing changes regarding COVID and it’s variants, we will make updates to our policy as necessary.

We understand that not every one is ready to return to see live theater. We are maintaining assigned seating with social distancing seating blocked around every group. The theater will be cleaned before and after all classes and events as well as between show times on the weekends. We ask that you stay home of any of your family members are ill and visit us when everyone is healthy. Tickets are always exchangeable due to illness in the family.

At this time, our staff, teachers, actors, and technicians are fully vaccinated, per our hiring contracts. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Gemini Theater COVID Policy, you may email Jill Jeffrey at jjeffrey@geminitheater.org.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay magical.”

Thanks!!!

Jill Jeffrey, Executive Director
Gemini Theater Company
www.geminitheater.org

Winter/Spring 2023 Acting Classes

Class Details & Pricing

Page to Stage Acting | Ages 7 – 10

Acting Workshop for Kids! | Ages 7 – 11

Lights! Curtain! Musical! | Ages 8 – 12

Acting I - Workshop | Ages 10 – 14

Shakespeare Performance Workshop | Ages 12 - 17

Creative Dramatics | Ages 4 – 6

Performance Workshop | Ages 8 - 15

Movement Theater & Dance | Ages 8+

Now Available ~ Private Virtual Acting Coaching

Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Fund

Cancellation Policy

COVID Requirements

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