Creative Play for Pre K/K

This course is for our young pre-reader and early reader MVPs (ages 4 and 5) who are interested in exploring creativity as it applies to character creation. Story-telling and the imagination will be explored through play as an ensemble in this class. This course will allow the interested MVP to transition smoothly into Beginner Acting.

 

Acting I (formerly Beginning Acting) 

This course is for the student who wishes to develop his or her craft of acting. The Academy teaches the Cohen acting method of character analysis. An emphasis will be placed on mastering the craft of acting when performing solo (monologues) and in scene (with one or more partners). Included in the curriculum is a close study of the general theatre world. 

 

NEW!! Acting II (new course–second level of Beginning Acting)

This course is for the student who is ready for greater challenges in acting, but not quite reading for Intermediate (Acting III). More specific study and experience in character creation in scenes and monologues will strengthen students’ awareness of the process of acting and work within an ensemble.  Enrollment is determined by course instructor. 

 

Acting III (formerly Upper Elem/Early Middle School)

This course is for the student who has mastered the introductory acting method and is ready to explore scenes and monologues on a deeper level. Continued study of the analysis process, use of the body to create truth, basic audition preparation will also be explored.   Instructor and Artistic Director will determine student readiness for this course.

 

Advanced Acting (formerly Acting for Upper Middle/High School)

This course is for the student who has mastered the introductory acting method and is ready to explore scenes and monologues on a deeper level. Continued study of the analysis process, use of the body to create truth, basic audition preparation, and the development of a basic resume will be included in this course.   Instructor and Artistic Director will determine student readiness for this course. 

  

Beginning Improv Workshops (one day workshops only)

This course is for students ages 9 and up who have had little or no experience in Improvisation.  The foundations of improv will be introduced and explored in preparation for work in short form improvisation in an ensemble.  

 

NEW!! Intermediate Improv 

This is the second level improv course for students who have completed a year of improv studies.  Continued work in foundations and short form leading to working together as a performance ensemble.  New students are admitted by permission of the instructor only.

 

Chuckle Club Jr.

This course is for students who have had previous training in short form improvisation.  The foundations of improv will be reviewed and strengthened- with additional focus on working together as a performance ensemble.  Students with outside experience will be interviewed by the instructor and Artistic Director to ensure proper placement.

 

Introduction to Dance for Pre-K/K

This course is for our young MVPs with minimal experience and who are interested in developing a foundation for the study of musical theatre. The class will include units in basic ballet, jazz, and tap. Parent performance will occur at the end of each unit (approximately every 6 weeks).

 

Dance Combo for Primary Students

This course is designed to familiarize and strengthen a student’s knowledge of dance types that are used in musical theatre and will rotate through jazz, ballet, and tap.  This course is the next level for those who have moved up from Introduction to Dance for Pre-K/K or for an early elementary student with minimal dance experience.  Parent performance will occur at the end of each unit (approximately every 6 weeks).

 

NEW!! Contemporary/Lyrical for Upper Elementary/Middle School

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements stressing versatility and improvisation.  Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. 

 

NEW!! Contemporary/Lyrical for High School

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements stressing versatility and improvisation.  Dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. 

 

Ballet/Jazz (HS/College/Adult)

This course is for students who seek to continue to challenge and expand their abilities in these dance styles.  It is also for the student seeking to maintain current skills in the dance styles.  The course will include a warm-up with stretching and cardio, followed by barre work and floor combinations.  Focus will be placed on working safely and efficiently. 

 

Beginner Tap

Students in this course will learn and strengthen basic tap skills and terminology. Fundamentals such as balance and general alignment are also introduced at this level.  This course is for the student who has less than one year full year of study.

 

Intermediate Tap

This course is for the student who seeks to continue to strengthen their basic tap skills.  Musicality is stressed while teaching the student to count their sounds between the beats to create more complex rhythms. More intricate variations are added at this level. As the complexity of the steps increases, it is necessary for the student to focus on body alignment to maintain balance and build strength.

Advanced Tap

This course is the final in the tap sequence.  Dancers will strive for clean sounds while executing difficult combinations. Higher speed steps, more complex rhythms, and tricks are taught to challenge our students at this level. Dancers are taught to perform, not to just execute their steps.

 

Musical Theatre Styles

This class introduces students with previous dance experience to the different styles of dance used in musical theatre.  The course begins with a warm-up including basic technique as well as stretching, conditioning, and cardio. The warm-up is followed by the teaching of a musical theatre combination. Light acting is included in the combination. This fun, fast-paced class teaches a wide variety of Broadway dance styles.  *This class fulfills the requirement for students in the Main Street Theatre Youth Company.

 

NEW!! Advanced Musical Theatre Styles

This class continues the exploration of musical theatre styles.  It begins with a warm-up including basic technique as well as stretching, conditioning, and cardio. The warm-up is followed by the teaching of a more complex  musical theatre dance combination.Acting is included in the combination. This fun, fast-paced class teaches a wide variety of Broadway dance styles.  *This class fulfills the requirement for students in the Main Street Theatre Youth Company.

 

Academy Singers

This course is for MVPs ages 10-18 who have an interest in vocal performance. Music will be chosen based on the singers in the group.   Students will have the opportunity to sing solos, duets, small group, and full ensemble songs determined by their initial assessment. A performance open to friends and family will be presented at the end of each semester.  The spring performance will be incorporated into the Showcase at the end of the academic year. 

 

 NEW!!  Audition Prep

This course is for students of any age (ability to read well is required) who plan to audition for theatre and/or musical theatre.  Local productions?  School’s musical?  College audition prep?  Units covered include “book” creation -  song selection, cutting and marking & monologue selection; resume building; coaching of song and/or monologue; audition decorum discussion; cold-reading practice; headshots (extra fee).  Students will participate in a mock audition situation.

 

Classes run from mid- September through late April/early May.

Mid-year new student enrollment is permitted on a case-by-case basis.

You are registering for a year of study.  The tuition amount you are given at the time of enrollment is the amount that must be paid regardless of your child completing the year with us.

Discounts given for those who pay tuition per semester or year.

Sibling discounts available for those families with more than one MVP studying with us.

 

---Artistic Director and course instructors reserve the right to recommend which course you or your child may enter that will best suit skill level and experience.  Advancing to the next level of study is only allowed when the course instructor has determined that all skills taught at the current level have been mastered by the MVP (Mon Valley Performer) and when the MVP has demonstrated proper personal discipline, responsibility, and maturity.