Last Update: 08/20/10

When you go to a workshop...be sure you mention you saw the notice on the NEED website!

Connecticut STAMFORD: Connecticut Ballet Center, official school of Connecticut Ballet, has announced ‘Back to School’ workshops in August for young dancers ages 8-14, allowing them a chance to refresh their technical level in advance of annual ‘Nutcracker’ auditions open to all area dancers in September. ‘The Nutcracker’ will once again take place in December at the Palace Theatre, Stamford Center for the Arts. Both beginner and intermediate levels will be offered. Directed by Brett Raphael, the summer sessions will take place August 16-27 at Connecticut Ballet Center, 20 Acosta Street, Stamford. Students will have daily classes in ballet, beginner and intermediate pointe, modern dance, ballroom, and ballet repertory. The faculty includes Mr. Raphael, Jessica Delia (modern), Karen Arceneaux (modern), John Vitti (ballroom), and Larisa Akinicheva (ballet). A special feature will be a ‘Make-up for the Dancer’ workshop taught by Connecticut Ballet make-up artist, Ingrid Okala. Financial aid is available to qualifying candidates. Interested parents may request a brochure by calling Connecticut Ballet Center at 203- 978-0771 or visit www.connecticutballet.com. WESTPORT: Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium with Tom Jones, book writer and lyricist of “I Do! I Do!,” following the Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the joyful and touching musical spanning 50 years of marriage. Jones, along with music composer Harvey Schmidt, received an Obie Award and a Special Tony Award for “The Fantasticks.” In 1999, their stars were added to the Off-Broadway Walk of Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre.For more information or ticket purchases, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court , off Route 1, Westport . Tickets may be purchased online at www.westportplayhouse.org.  Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and/or follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse). Maine Nothing right now.  Please check back! Massachusetts BURLINGTON: Stand-Up Comedy @ Zero Point Theater - Great class to get you started in stand up comedy or to just entertain family / friends. Instructor Mark Scalia will work with you in developing a comedic routine from your everyday experiences and advise you on several different presentation methods to get the most out of your jokes. The class will end with a live performance for an audience of family and friends.  Mark Scalia is a 20-year veteran in the stand-up circuit. He also does film work in both coasts and teaches film.  Class Day/Time: Eight-weeks on Tuesday’s Sept 14 - Nov 07 / 7-930pm. Class cost: $250.  Class Location: Zero Point Rehearsal Studio, 61 Center Street. If you have any questions about the class call our theater office at 800-734-458 or e-mail classes@zptheater.com.  For more info, visit www.zptheater.com or email Classes@zptheater.com BURLINGTON: Atlantis Playmakers - Audition Bootcamp - Sept 28 & 29, from 12noon - 4pm. Artistic Director Kimberly Davis Basso is coaching a weekend audition workshop August 28 and 29 at Atlantis Playmakers theater. In a twenty year career she has auditioned thousands of actors at all skill levels in the Boston, San Francisco and Miami areas. This workshop is designed to improve the quality of your audition work and increase your comfort with auditioning. Enrollment is very limited. Students are asked to prepare two contrasting monologues (you absolutely must be off book). Monologue suggestions will be made after registration if necessary, it is preferred that students find their own material. All monologues must be from plays no tv or film scripts please. $70 new students; $45 returning students. For more info visit www.AtlantisPlaymakers.com or email studio@AtlantisPlaymakers.com CAMBRIDGE: SOMETHING ABOUT CHEKHOV & MEISNER. MEISNER. OKAY, MEISNER! [Free Seminar] @ Michael Chekhov Actors Studio Boston.  September 11, 2010, 10am–noon (subject to change).  What's so special about Chekhov? And, What's the deal with Meiner, anyway? - Find out at this general introduction to our methods and programs.  *The seminar is limited to 16 actors max. Please RSVP.  Michael Chekhov Actors Studio Boston is committed to empower our students to free their innate talent and fire their professional development and personal growth. Our students, in turn, show up and train hard. And they’re rewarded for their efforts with real results.  They act better. Our studio curriculum of actor training programs includes: The Chekhov Training, The Meisner Foundation Training, and The Professional Acting Program. Fall Term begins September 13th. Inquiries and applications are welcome NOW. Email info@ChekhovActorsStudio.com to RSVP.  For more info visit www.MichaelChekhovActorsStudioBoston.com  or email info@ChekhovActorsStudio.com FRANKLIN: The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will offer a Musical Theater Audition Intensive program for young performers from August 25th to 27th at The School, 38 Main Street. The Audition Intensive is geared toward the serious musical theater student aged 15-19 planning to audition for a college or conservatory program and will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25 and Thursday, August 26. The college audition can be intimidating, and this program is designed to prepare high school students through a step-by-step process and a series of mock auditions. By the end of the intensive, each student will have ballad and up tempo audition pieces, monologues and an audition notebook marked for their accompanist. A Dance Master class will be held on Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., conducted by Tyrick Wiltez Jones of the Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) of New York City. Mr. Jones recently performed in the revival of Finnian’s Rainbow on Broadway. His credits include, among others, Hairspray on Broadway and the national tours of Seussical, Fosse and Showboat. To end the week, FSPA will collaborate with BAA to host a Triple Threat Workshop on Friday, August 27th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tyrick Wiltez Jones of BAA, and Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell and Director Raye Lynn Mercer of FSPA will offer individual coaching, master classes and evaluations in voice, dance and acting at this workshop. The Thursday night and Friday programs are open also to students ages 9 -19 who are not enrolled in the Musical Theater Audition Intensive. The Franklin School for the Performing Arts will also conduct a free Open House for the public on Wednesday, August 18th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., where Fall course catalogues for all programs will be available. To register or get more information about any of these programs, contact FSPA at 38 Main St. in Franklin (508-528-8668) or visit www.fspaonline.com. GRAFTON: Scene Study Class w/Amanda Good Hennessey and Art Hennessey - September 29-November 3, 2010, 7 PM to 10 PM.  @ Grafton Unitarian Church (Grafton Common). Requirements: For experienced actors. Class Fee: $210 ($35 nonrefundable deposit is required before classes begin). Age: must be 18 or older. Class Size: Limited to 12 students. Contact Name: Frank Bartucca, 508.839.9030; frbgrafton@verizon.net.  The class focus is scene work, with an emphasis on active listening, connecting, character development, and text analysis. Students will be expected to work on scenes with a scene partner outside of class. Scenes may be assigned or you may bring a scene you would like to work on. You can enroll singly and partners will be assigned or you may enroll with a partner with whom you would like to work. MELROSE: Stage Combat @ Zero Point Theater - In this workshop, students 18 and over will learn about the necessary conditions for safe and effective stage combat. We will explore the underlying concepts used in basic maneuvers such as slaps, punches, shoves, hair pulls, throws, rolls, and falls, and how to build these moves into sequences. Both contact and non-contact techniques, using a variety of cues and knaps will be explored. Safety will be emphasized first, last and always while advanced acrobatic skills are not required, students should be ready to become friends with the floor. Instructor Leslie Pasternack is a previously certified Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and an experienced teacher and director of armed and unarmed techniques.  CLASS DAYS/TIME: Saturdays, Sept 18 - Oct 30 11:00am - 1:00pm. (Seven classes total). CLASS LOCATION: 497 Main Street. CLASS COST: $200 before Sept 01; $225 After Sept 01.  Call or E-mail 800-734-4578 / Classes@zptheater.com to register.  For more info visit www.zptheater.com. NEW!! SALEM: The Salem Theatre Company has announced the line-up for its Fall 2010 semester of theater education classes for children grades 3 - 8, including acting, singing, and auditioning.  The classes will run September 13 through December 7, with the exception of Thanksgiving week, and will be led by STC’s newly appointed Education Director, Rose Tarr Kilroy. Spaces are limited; parents may enroll their students at www.salemtheatre.com/classes.htm  or by e-mailing info@salemtheatre.com.  Tuition is $240 for each twelve-week class, each culminating with a showcase performance during the final session.  Junior Broadway Actors - Grades 3-5: Tuesdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm; Grades 6-8: Tuesdays, 4:45pm-5:45pm. Your child will explore the exciting world of stagecraft and performing: improvisation, pantomime, sense memory, vocal projection, scenes from plays and musicals, and much more. Any student, from beginner to advanced, is welcome to join us and release their inner actor. Junior Broadway Singers - Grades 3-5: Wednesdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm; Grades 6-8: Wednesdays, 4:45pm-5:45pm. In Junior Broadway Singers we will explore the Broadway songbook and learn Broadway vocal techniques. We will sing selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Secret Garden , Wicked, Les Miserable, Music Man, Gypsy, and many more. Your child will be part of STC’s Broadway Chorus.  Junior Broadway Auditions - Grades 3-5: Thursdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm; Grades 6-8: Thursdays, 4:45pm-5:45pm.  This course is for the young actor or singer who is ready to spread his or her wings and fly onto stage. Your child will learn how to perform a monologue and a song for audition settings. Even non-singers are encouraged; there are many songs just right for them, too. Students will also get insider tips on how to ace an audition and land a great role.  www.salemtheatre.com for information. WATERTOWN: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Watertown Children's Theatre. This fall, follow the White Rabbit into Wonderland where everything is topsy-turvy! Wacky dances, silly songs, and Mad Tea parties will leave everyone smiling like Cheshire Cats. Join the cast of Lewis Carroll’s classic, and you’ll be able to outgrabe with the mome wraths – just be wary of the Red Queen and you’ll come out a-head! Grades 3-5. Tuition: $275. Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts. Required Orientation: Sunday, September 12. • 2:00 - 5:00 pm Student Audition Orientation; • 4:00 - 5:00 pm Parent Orientation. Auditions: September 13 & 15, 3:30 - 6:00 pm. Rehearsal Dates and Times: September 26 – November 14. Wednesdays, Fridays 3:30 - 6:00 pm; Sundays, 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Final Rehearsals: November 15-18 (times TBA). Performances: Mosesian Theatre, Arsenal Center, Friday, November 19, 7 pm; Saturday, November 20, 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, November 21, 2 pm. For more info visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org  or email ktighe.wct@gmail.com WATERTOWN: Page to Stage: The Magic School Bus - Watertown Children's Theatre. “Wahoo!   Get out there and explore” with Ms. Frizzle and her students! Students will select a favorite Magic School Bus book and bring it to life. Whether it’s a trip to the bottom of the Ocean Floor or the outer reaches of the Solar System, this will be one bus ride you’ll never forget! In addition to playing theatre games and learning performance technique, students will have fun adapting the story to the stage. Grades K and 1. Tuition: $70 (Early Bird $55, postmarked by June 30). Dates: September 25 – November 13, Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:30 am. (No rehearsal on October 9) Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama Space. Final presentation for family and friends: Saturday, November 13, 11:00 am, Mosesian Theater.  For more info visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre. org or email ktighe.wct@gmail.com WATERTOWN: Junior Players - Watertown Children's Theatre. This fall, follow the White Rabbit into Wonderland where everything is topsy-turvy! Wacky dances, silly songs, and Mad Tea parties will leave everyone smiling like Cheshire Cats. Join the cast of Lewis Carroll’s classic, and you’ll be able to outgrabe with the mome wraths – just be wary of the Red Queen and you’ll come out a-head! 1st and 2nd graders will sing and dance alongside the main cast in 2 of the 4 performances* . Students will also have fun with theatre games and creative movement in this very popular performance class. Grades 1 and 2. Tuition: $150. Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama Space. Dates: September 27 - November 8 (No class October 11), Mondays, 3:30-4:30 pm OR 4:30-5:30 pm. Rehearsals with Main Cast: 3:30 pm class – November 15 and 17; 4:30 pm class – November 16 and 18. *Performances: Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center: 3:30 pm class – Friday, November 29, 7 pm; Saturday, November 20, 2 pm. 4:30 pm class – Saturday, November 20, 7 pm. For more info visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org  or email ktighe.wct@gmail.com WATERTOWN: Music Theory Workshop: The Do-Re-Mi's of Music - Watertown Children's Theatre.  Join WCT vocal instructor Bridget Murphy for a music theory workshop! Students will be introduced to the basics of note reading, music vocabulary, melody, rhythm, and sight-reading. Whether you’re starting voice lessons for the first time or are an experienced singer, don’t miss this opportunity to increase your musical knowledge, prepare for rehearsals, auditions, and performances, and have FUN! Grades 6-12.  Tuition: $50. Dates: October 16 & 23. Saturdays, noon - 2:00 pm. Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama Space. For more info visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org or email ktighe.wct@gmail.com WELLESLEY: Sing Your Song Mini Course @ Lau Lapides Company, Studio Division - Wednesdays, August 25 & Sept 1 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Fee: $50.00.  Singing phobic? Intonation a problem? You CAN learn to sing in tune! Come and discover the joy of song. Simple, easy and enjoyable exercises help you to overcome your fear of singing in this introductory mini-session taught by award winning director and singer Anabel Graetz, creator of Song for Non-Singers.  StageSource Special Take $5.00 off the already low price!  For actors who want to learn to sing. Come to discover the voice within at a very special rate for this mini-course with award winning director and singer, Anabel Graetz.  For details, call: Lau Lapides Company - (781) 504-7171; LauLapidesCompany@gmail.com or ladysong5@gmail.com WELLESLEY: NCP presents “Broadway Bound” musical theater class this fall for grades 4-8!  An exciting new adventure for the Newton Country Players.....We will present our first class “Broadway Bound” this fall offering a unique experience for children in grades 4-8! All students will benefit as they engage in activities geared towards a well-balanced understanding of the art of musical theater performance from seasoned teachers and performers.  The class will culminate in a production to be performed for family and friends at the lovely MassBay Community College Theater. Don't miss this opportunity to expose your budding performer to the arts in a low-pressure, collaborative, energetic and incredibly fun atmosphere!  The class will run from September - November, 2010 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  For more information and to register, please visit http://newtoncountryplayers.org/broadwaybound.html  or email NCPBroadwayBound@gmail.com New Hampshire Nothing right now.  Please check back! Rhode Island NEW!! PROVIDENCE: The Young Actors Studio Fall Session runs for 9 weeks from September 21 - November 18. This year the Studio continues to offer courses in two levels: beginner level classes that are held on a trimester schedule; and more intensive advanced courses offered in a year-round session for more experienced students. Performers of all skill levels are invited to develop their creativity, imagination, and to self-expression. Trinity Rep now also offers classes for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. These classes will focus on the basics of acting, creating characters, and developing a story. All classes will work and rehearse in the Pell Chafee Performance Center (home to the Brown/Trinity Rep Consortium), located at 87 Empire St., Providence. Call (401) 521-1100 x230 for registration information, or visit Trinity Rep’s website at www.trinityrep.com. Vermont BURLINGTON: The Flynn Center hosts a program of year-round performing arts classes for adults, young adults, and children. Since its inception, the FlynnArts program has been committed to offering performing arts classes for the whole community, from the curious beginner to the proficient performer. We invite you to explore a new area of interest or develop an existing skill. Our teaching artists have extensive experience both as artists and as educators. All are committed to the FlynnArts mission of fostering the creative spirit in students of all ages and backgrounds, igniting a curiosity about the artistic process, and helping students claim the arts as an integral part of their lives. If you have questions about class selection or placement, we are always happy to help. Please call or email Paulina Anderson at 802-652-4548 SHELBURNE: SHELBURNE PLAYERS - Summer Theater Camp - Shelburne Players & Shelburne Parks and Recreation Department presents a SUMMER THEATER CAMP - 5th-8th graders. Director Tim Maynes and Musical Director Nate Venet. Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Road - August 2nd-6th from 9am-3pm. $210.  At the end of the week kids put on a musical show on the Shelburne Town Centerstage. Last year's "Theseus and the Minotaur" was a hit for parents and kids alike.  INFO/REGISTER: (802) 985-9551. Limited enrollment. Register early to guarantee placement. WAITSFIELD: VALLEY PLAYERS - KidsACT! Summer Musical camp - Directed by Ruth Ann Pattee, at the Valley Players Theater, Rt. 100. Aug. 2-6 - entering grades 4-6 in Sept. 2010. Students will perform "Through the Looking Glass", based on the Alice In Wonderland stories. Familiar characters include Alice, the Red Queen, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Humpty Dumpty and more!  10am-3pm M-F. Free performance Fri. Aug. 6 at 7PM. Tuition: $175; Aug. 9-13 - entering grades 7-9 in Sept. 2010. Students will perform the one-act musical "Adventures of a Comic Book Artist", about a janitor who works for a comic book company and has his nown characters come to life thanks to some magic pens. Lots of fun characters, solos, and dance numbers for guys and girls! Camp runs 10am - 4pm; M-F with a free performance on Friday, Aug. 13 @ 7pm. Tuition: $200. Partial scholarships available. INFO/REGISTER: Ruth Ann Pattee (802) 793-4220 or thespians@gmavt.net Miscellaneous Nothing right now.  Please check back.