Creative Play

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.

 

Beginner 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. 

 

Acting for Upper Elementary

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.

 

Acting for Middle/High schoolers 

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 

This course is for students ages 10 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.  

 

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. 

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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.  

 

Dance Combo for Upper Elementary
This course is the final in the combination sequence and further strengthens and expands a student’s ability in ballet, jazz and tap through focused study and the learning of various combinations from musical theatre.  

 

Contemporary

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. 

 

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. 

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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

Theatre Dance class is a 45-60 min long class that 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

 

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. 

Private Voice

Miss Esther will once again be offering private voice via the zoom platform  to interested students. No former experience necessary.  If you would like to register for a 40 minute private lesson, please indicate on the registration form and we will take it from there.

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Classes run from 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.   

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