Serving the Community; Inspiring Youth
Young Actors Studio has been providing the finest in theatre education classes in Northern Virginia for over 30 years. Our focus is on the process of learning with the arts in a safe, nurturing, and dynamic environment. Our workshops, after school programs, and year-round classes help students develop creativity and self confidence. They are targeted to all levels of experience, from introductory to advanced.

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Winter Saturday Programs

ALL SATURDAY classes are held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia. NOTE: The Master Class, The Magic of Shakespeare is held Monday evenings.

DATES: January 22 through March 5, 2011 (No class February 18)

Please Note: In the event of inclement weather, Encore Stage follows the policies of the Arlington Public Schools (APS) for productions and workshops. Even on the weekends, APS makes decisions to close or open schools. To get current information, visit the APS web site at http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/aps/site/default.asp or call the APS hotline at 1-866-322-4277.

A Pocket Full of Tales: Grades K-1, January 21-March 3, 2012 (No class February 18),
Time 10:00-11:00 am   (Fee $85)
Join us for a high-energy acting class that breaks down acting techniques into fun and accessible activities for children. Students will have a great time exploring tales from America and around the world as they discover their own internal resources for acting a character.

Theatre Ninjas: Grades 3-5, January 21-March 3, 2012 (No class February 18),
Time 11:15 am-12:15 pm  (Fee $85)
Ever wondered how actors make fight scenes and comic scenes using tripping and falling look believable? Students will learn the choreography behind action scenes and experience the team work and safety measures used by professional actors. Simple scenes from plays and original works will be explored, allowing students to show off their new prowess for friends and family on the last day of class.

American Girls: Grades 3-5, January 21-March 3, 2012 (No class February 18),
Time 11:15 am-12:15 pm  (Fee $85)
Back by popular demand! Students are encouraged to bring their dolls as we explore the wonderful "American Girl" stories in a new theatrical way. Come and learn more about the worlds of all your favorite storybook friends.

Laughing Wild: Grades 5-8, January 21-March 3, 2012 (No class February 18),
Time 10:00 pm-11:00 am  (Fee $85)
Want to make people laugh, no matter where you are? Come explore the world of physical comedy! Starting in the worlds of Charlie Chaplin, Abbott & Costello, Bill Irwin, and David Shiner, we'll use theatre games to explode your silly into comic genius. The class will incorporate the comedic timing of commedia dell'arte, the wild imagination of mime, the spontaneity of improv, and the humanity of clawing. Learn to be more than the class clown by studying the art of laughter.

Sing Your Socks Off!: Grades 5-8, January 21-March 3, 2012 (No class February 18);
Time 11:15 am-12:30 pm  (Fee $95) Sorry, Class Cancelled
Do you love singing? Do you love acting? By studying and rehearsing three musical theatre songs with your classmates over six sessions, you will learn the basics of acting a song. You will get to know the character from the moment before he or she begins to sing to after the song is over. Musical dynamics, phrasing, physical gestures, and expressions will also be explored.

Encore's Play-Ground Playwriting Workshop: Grades 5-8
January 21-February 4, 2012, Time 12:15 pm-1:30 pm  (Fee $120)
Are you interested in making up stories and sharing them with others? Students in this class will be guided to create a 10-minute play based on a personal experience. The teacher, a professional playwright, will lead the students in a creative investigation of an actual experience. There will be a reading of the students' plays on February 11 for family and friends.

Master Class: The Magic of Shakespeare: Grades 8-12
January 23-March 5, 2012 (Monday classes -- no class February 20);
Time 7:30 pm-9:30 pm  (Fee $135)
Students will delve into Shakespearean text analysis (scansion, rhetoric, and paraphrasing) and general performance techniques such as ensemble building and voice and movement exercises. Using scenes from Shakespeare's most magical plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, and The Tempest, students will apply taught theatre skills and build confidence. This class culminates in a student-acted scene presentation for friends and family.

Special Pre-Audition Workshop, January 7, 2012: Ages 9-18, Time 11:30 am-1:30 pm   (Fee $50)
This program is designed to help students learn what is expected, how to present themselves, and how to prepare shortly before the auditions for this season's production of The Magical Lamp of Aladdin. The actual auditions will be held January 9 and 10, 2012. For more information check our auditions page.

Special Pre-Audition Workshop, March 10, 2012: Ages 9-18, Time 11:30 am-1:30 pm   (Fee $50)
This workshop is designed to help students learn what to expect at an audition and how to present themselves shortly before the auditions for this season's production of Charlotte's Web. The actual auditions will be held March 12 and 13, 2012. For more information check our auditions page.

  President's Day Mini-Camp, Monday February 20, 2012:
Grades K-5, Time 9 am-3:00 pm   (Fee $60)
(Extended hours available from 3-5 pm for an additional $10)
What exciting things will come out of our treasure trunk? Using music, movement, and great stories, with props and costume pieces, students will create characters begging to be acted out! Children will work together and use their imaginations to become magical characters. Students will also enjoy a day of theatre games, crafts, and activities. Students must bring a brown bag lunch.
Location:
Cherrydale United Methodist Church
3701 Lorcom Lane
Arlington, VA 22207

For More Information, Call Our Education Line: 703-548-1154, Box 3
No refunds unless class is canceled. A limited number of scholarships is available. Taxpayer ID 23-7311352. Encore Stage & Studio is supported by Fresh Fields, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Arlington County through the Arlington Commission for Arts and the Cultural Affairs Division of Parks and Recreation and Community Resources. Click here for a registration form!