Winter Class Schedule

High Point Community Theatre
Winter Classes

ACTING FOR ADULTS: THE BASICS
Wednesdays, 7:00 until 8:30 pm
March 5 - April 30 (no class on March 26)
Ages 16 and up. $125

The stage picture, working as an ensemble, and text work through individual monologues. We’ll cover it ALL! This is your chance to get a sample of training in the many aspects of performance work. First, we will explore the many possibilities of where and how to be on stage. Students will work to develop a clear understanding of making choices relating to the architecture of the performing space and their spatial relationships with other actors. Next, we’ll confront the question, “How do actors create a sense of ensemble or chorus onstage?” Using training exercises that encourage group awareness, participants will learn to function as an ensemble. Students will also have the chance to work in teams to develop short, group-created performances. And finally, we’ll focus on the individual performer, giving each participant a chance to work on a monologue of his/her choice. Need an audition piece? Or simply interested in one on one work on text and character? We’ll tailor the approach to monologues to suit each student’s interest. This class will require that students are dressed in comfortable clothes and are prepared to be active.

TEEN THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Saturdays 1 - 3pm and Tuesday, 4:30 - 6:30
February 16 - May 10 (no class March 22 or 25)
Grades 9 through 12 (or permission of instructor) $300.00
The Spring session of the Ensemble work will focus on…you guessed it!…ENSEMBLE work. We’ll work with training principles and exercises that provide a framework for acting choices useful for group performance work. Our classes will combine these training exercises with rehearsal for the performance of an hour-long project to be presented at the end of session. Extra rehearsal time may be set during the first two weeks of May. Performance dates and times TBA. Students should come to the first day of class with a short piece of text that is learned very well by heart.

IMPROVISATION FOR KIDS
Saturdays, 11:00 until noon
March 1 - May 3 (no class on March 22)
Grades 2 through 8 $100 Sibling discounts available
Theatre games are a fantastic introduction to the principles of acting, and working together with others on stage. In this class we’ll explore improvisation exercises that challenge students to think on their feet, cooperate with others and develop their capacity to act “as if” in imaginary situations both realistic and outlandish! Students must dress in clothes that allow them to move freely and should prepare to be active.

HOMESCHOOLERS PERFORMANCE PROJECT
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30am
February 27th through May 7 (no class on March 26)
Ages 8 -18 $125 Sibling discounts available
Let’s put on a show! Instructor Martha Mendenhall has created an adaptation of the classic Little House in the Big Woods, the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series. We’ll use our imaginations and creative acting skills (ever pretended to be a Maple tree or a black bear?) to create, rehearse and perform this hour long show. Everything will be up to us to create from our imaginations, make ourselves or find, including our props, costumes and set pieces. The show’s production elements will be simple, as we would also love to take the show on a small tour of local day care centers, nursing homes, and libraries in May. The performance project is open to any number of students and all who register will be able to perform. Older students who have an interest could also be a part of the project as a stage manager or costume/props design leader. Important note: Registration deadline is February 13. Please sign up early to allow us time to prepare the project for the number of students registered!

All classes will be held at the HPCT office – 305 North Main Street, Suite 322 – Enter through the rear door.

All classes will be taught by Martha Mendenhall, who was born and raised in High Point and for the past ten years has worked both as an actor/director/playwright and as a full-time English teacher at a small private high school in Charlottesville, VA. She has a BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. She has worked as a performer with the NC Shakespeare Festival, the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, and in Washington, DC. In addition, Martha was a founding member of her own theatre company, the Charlottesville-based ensemble, Foolery.

Limited scholarships are available.
Contact Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542 for further information.

Space is limited. Class tuition fees are due upon registration and are non-refundable. HPCT reserves the right to cancel any class not meeting a minimum enrollment.

To register download a registration form here (or at the link on the righthand side of the blog) and
send the completed form with a check made payable to High Point Community Theatre to: HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261. Have questions? Email Jennifer Blevins at jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or call (336) 882-2542.