PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: September 23, 2008

Media Contact: Michelle Sanders, Public Relations Manager

(425) 392-1942 x124

www.villagetheatre.org

VILLAGE THEATRE ANNOUNCES FALL

KIDSTAGE CLASSES IN ISSAQUAH

Most Classes Begin Early October 2008

ISSAQUAH, WA –Village Theatre KIDSTAGE is proud to announce its fall line-up of exploratory and musical theatre classes for students of all ages, including but not limited to “Story Explorers” for children as young as Pre-K, a variety of dance classes, and a “Broadway Foundations” class utilizing music from the smash hit Mamma Mia to enhance performance technique. The majority of classes begin early October 2008. Classes range from $145-$250 and parents can receive a 10 percent discount when registering more than one student from the same family or when registering for more than one class. One discount per family. Each registered student will also receive one half-price single ticket to any Village Theatre Mainstage production. Registration forms are available online at www.villagetheatre.org or by calling Village Theatre’s Youth Education office at (425) 392-1942 x148.

ISSAQUAH KIDSTAGE Fall Classes

at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA

EARLY STAGES – Literature and Life Skills (Pre-K–Grade 2):

Early Stages are literature-based exploratory classes that encourage confidence by building theatre and life skills in a fun and encouraging environment. Process over product is emphasized. Developmentally appropriate exercises and activities teach beginning terminology and theatre skills in every class. Students also learn valuable life skills such as taking turns, listening, speaking up, and being part of a team — all in a safe atmosphere where it is easy to make new friends. Classes are offered year-round and have a different theme each session. A presentation for family and friends is held on the last day of each class.

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Story Explorers (Grade PreK-K)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Stories of Eric Carle

Mondays 2:30 PM–3:30 PM, October 6-November 24, 2008

Tuition: $145

The gloriously illustrated works of Eric Carle provide the inspiration for students as they play new characters and work together. This creative approach to acting out popular literature guides students as they bring to life both new and familiar stories.

Fables and Fairytales (Grades K–1)

Pincchio and Other Puppets

Early Release, Wednesdays 2:30–3:30 PM, October 8-November 26, 2008

Tuition: $145

There are no strings attached as students use puppets of all shapes and sizes, along with theatre games and craft projects, to help them enact their favorite stories.

Creative Chronicles (Grades 1-2)

Enchanted Adventures

Tuesdays 4:00–5:00 PM, October 7–November 25, 2008

Tuition: $145

Students will embody magical characters as they go for a romp in Shrek's swamp or climb into The Magic Tree House. By acting out these and other classic fairy tales of spells and enchantments students will enjoy the camaraderie of telling stories as a group.

Pair with Musical Moves.

FUNDAMENTAL STAGES – Building Blocks for Young Actors (Grades 3–12)

Fundamental Stages are introductory exploration classes that encourage confidence by building theatre and life skills in a fun and encouraging environment. Process over product is emphasized. Developmentally appropriate curriculum includes exercises and activities that teach terminology and theatre skills in every class. Students also learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, creativity, collaboration, imagination, public speaking, problem solving, and responsibility — all in a safe atmosphere where it is easy to make new friends. Classes are offered year-round and have a different theme each session. A class sharing or demonstration is held on the last day of each class.

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Character Quests (Grades 3–5)

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Thursdays 4:00–5:30 PM, October 2–November 20, 2008

Tuition: $170

Prerequisite: none, although Early Stages or Elementary Acting classes are highly recommended.

Students learn how to create characters from the ground up by using and developing their own unique vocal and physical skills. Basic theatre and acting terminology are woven throughout the class as students re-enact and reinvent the paths of such explorers as the Grace children uncovering the Faeries of the Spiderwick Field Guide or Jess and Leslie on their travels to Terabithia.

Pair with Musical Moves

Ensemble Elements (Grades 6–8)

All For One and One For All

Wednesdays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 8–October 29, 2008

Tuition: $145

Prerequisites: none, although Character Quests, or Acting 2 is highly recommended.

Learn what it takes to work from a book, poem or short story to bring a tale to life through improvisation, dialogue, and movement in an ensemble environment. This class offers a fun approach to developing characters, investigating conflict and resolution, and working together to create scenes. Students invent their own tales evoking the heroism and teamwork of historical and literary figures such as Robin Hood and Maid Marion, the Three Musketeers, Joan of Arc, or Lady Guinevere.

Pair with Broadway Foundations.

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Acting 101 (Grades 9–12)

The Bard and Other Classics

Tuesdays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, November 4–November 25, 2008

Tuition: $145

Prerequisites: None, although Ensemble Elements, Acting 2, or Acting 3 is highly recommended.

This is an intermediate course for teen students to become acquainted with acting techniques. Students will explore character development, stylized language, classical acting, ensemble building and monologue and/or scene study from classical plays.

MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES (Grade 1–Age 20):

Musical Theatre Classes are for students ready to develop or increase skills in all areas of musical theatre. Class time includes learning music, staging, choreography, and rehearsal terminology. In the introductory

level classes (Musical Moves), the focus is on the process of developing skills. There is an open class the last day of the session that demonstrates the new abilities of the students. In the intermediate and advanced level classes, students collaborate in developing a musical showcase of material that is performed for family and friends at the end of the session. All classes have a different theme each session. Students are encouraged to study year-round.

BEGINNING MUSICAL THEATRE:

Musical Moves – Section A (Grades 1–2)

I’m Flying

Wednesdays 4:00–5:00 PM, October 8–November 26, 2008

Tuition: $145

Prerequisites: none, although Early Stages classes are highly recommended.

Students take turns and take risks as they develop healthy vocal habits, connect movement to music, and learn to tell stories through their bodies and voices. Emphasis is on exploration of the joys of singing, dancing, and acting in a fun group environment, inspired by images of flying from such shows as Peter Pan, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins, among others.

Pair with Creative Chronicles.

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Musical Moves – Section B (Grades 2–4)

Bare Necessities

Tuesdays 5:15–6:15 PM, October 7–November 25, 2008

Tuition: $145

Prerequisites: none, although Early Stages classes are highly recommended.

Students take turns and take risks as they develop healthy vocal habits, connect movement to music, and learn to tell stories through their bodies and voices. Emphasis is on exploration of the joys of singing, dancing, and acting in a fun group environment, fueled by songs sung by animal characters from such shows as The Jungle Book, Honk!, and The Lion King, among others.

Pair with Creative Chronicles or Character Quests.

Musical Moves – Section C (Grades 3–5)

Magic To Do

Wednesdays 5:15–6:15 PM, October 8–November 26, 2008

Tuition: $145

Prerequisites: none, although Early Stages classes are highly recommended.

Students take turns and take risks as they develop healthy vocal habits, connect movement to music, and learn to tell stories through their bodies and voices. Emphasis is on exploration of the joys of singing, dancing, and acting in a fun group environment, inspired by feats of magic from such shows as such as Pippin, Aladdin, and others.

Pair with Character Quests.

INTERMEDIATE MUSICAL THEATRE:

Broadway Foundations– Section A (Grades 3–5)

Beauty and the Beast

Mondays (mini-session) 4:00–6:00 PM, October 6-27, 2008

Tuition: $170

Prerequisite: Musical Theatre classes, previous KIDSTAGE performance, or permission.

This class is designed for students who have been introduced to musical theatre and are ready to work at a more challenging level. Increased emphasis on performance technique and skills by using songs such as "Be Our Guest," "Gaston," and "Beauty and the Beast" make this a challenging and fun class for everyone.

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Broadway Foundations – Section B (Grades 6–8)

Mamma Mia

Tuesdays (mini-session) 4:00-6:00 PM, October 7-28, 2008

Tuition: $170

Prerequisite: Broadway Jr., Broadway Bound, previous KIDSTAGE performance, or permission.

This class is designed for students who have been introduced to musical theatre and are ready to work at a more advanced level. Increased emphasis on performance technique and skills by using songs such as "Honey Honey," "SOS," and "Dancing Queen" make this a challenging and fun class for everyone.

Pair with Ensemble Building.

Singing for Musical Theatre – Intermediate (Grades 4-12)

Thursdays (mini-session) 4:00-6:00PM, October 2-23, 2008

Tuition: $170

Prerequisite: Broadway Foundations, previous KIDSTAGE performance, or permission.

A complete song-learning class, designed to help performers learn more about singing and music. Areas covered include vocal technique, music theory, breath control, rhythm, melody, and sight-reading. Students expand their vocal range, fine tune their ears, strengthen breathing, and learn new music in a small class of eight students maximum. (This class does not take the place of individual voice lessons, which should be taken privately, year-round for serious singers.)

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Saturday Morning Dancing (Grades 4–8)

Ballet & Jazz for Musical Theatre

Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM, October 4–November 22, 2008

Tuition: $170* (Pair with Tap for a special discounted price)

Prerequisites: Musical Moves, Dance for Musical Theatre, a KIDSTAGE production, or permission.

Each week, students explore essential musical theatre dance moves while developing a strong ballet foundation. Students will learn exercises and combinations to develop flexibility, strength, coordination, and endurance. Emphasis will be placed on technique, proper placement, and style.

Pair with Broadway Foundations and Intermediate Singing.

Saturday Morning Dancing (Grades 4–8)

Tap (beginning/intermediate)

Saturdays 10:30-11:30AM, October 4-November 22, 2008

Tuition: $145* (Pair with Ballet & Jazz for Musical Theatre or Turns and Tricks for a special discounted price)
Tap is an essential skill for all musical theatre performers. Students develop fundamental technique, rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and style.
Pair with Broadway Foundations and Intermediate Singing.
*Tap and Ballet & Jazz for Musical Theatre or Turns and Tricks, if taken in combination, discounted price: $250.00

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ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE:

Singing For Musical Theatre – Advanced (Grades 4-12)

Dance Essentials

Thursdays (mini-session) 4:00-6:00 PM, October 30–November 20, 2008

Tuition: $170
Prerequisite: Broadway Foundations, previous KIDSTAGE performance, or permission.
A complete song-learning class designed to help performers learn more about singing and music. Areas covered include vocal technique, music theory, breath control, rhythm, melody, and sight-reading. Students expand their vocal range, fine tune their ears, strengthen breathing, and learn new music in a small class of eight students maximum. (This class does not take the place of individual voice lessons, which should be taken privately, year-round for serious singers.)

Advanced Dance (Grade 9–12)

Music Video Dancing

Mondays 5:15–6:15 PM, October 6–November 24, 2008

Tuition: $145

Dance is making a comeback and, in the last five years, the number of TV shows relating to dance has tripled. Jumping on this craze, this class provides opportunities for students to dance within a number of different movement genres now seen on TV, such as jazz, hip-hop, krumping, lyrical, and contemporary. Students will also practice making the transition between stage and screen while performing, which is a skill crucial for anyone wanting to make a living at performing.

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Saturday Morning Dancing (Grade 7–Age 20)

Turns and Tricks

Saturdays 9:00 AM–10:30 AM, October 4–November 22, 2008

Tuition: $170* (Pair with Tap for a special discounted price)

Prerequisites: Two years of dance training, or permission.

A rotating master teacher will take you through cool tricks and turns found in musical theatre choreography. Class will begin each week with a conditioning warm-up, focusing on strength and flexibility, and proceed with various turn combinations. Each teacher will select different "tricks" to share, but students can expect to learn barrel jumps/turns, layouts, fancy jumps, basic tumbling, and arm balances.

Pair with Advanced Singing and Broadway and Beyond.

Saturday Morning Dancing (Grade 7–Age 20)

Tap (intermediate/advanced)

Saturdays 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, October 4–November 22, 2008

Tuition: $145* (Pair with Dance Essentials for a special discounted price)

Prerequisites: Two years of dance training, or permission.

Highly recommended for Company and TeenSelect cast members.

Tap is an essential skill for all musical theatre performers. Students develop fundamental technique, rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and style.

Pair with Advanced Singing and Broadway and Beyond.

*Tap and Ballet & Jazz for Musical Theatre or Turns and Tricks, if taken in combination, discounted price: $250.00

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Steve Tomkins Performance Studio (Grade 9–Age 20)

By Audition or Invitation.

Mondays 6:30–9:00 PM, October 6–November 24, 2008

Tuition: $250**

For our most advanced students who want to train at a professional level. Focus is on fine-tuning each element of a triple threat performer. Guest artists will educate students on specific theatre skills such as: monologues, scene work, singing, dancing, stage combat, dialects, and auditioning. The session will culminate with a special visit from Village Theatre Artistic Director, Steve Tomkins.

** Steve Tomkins Studio $200.00 for TeenSelect or Company Members

About Village Theatre KIDSTAGE:

Designed to encourage teamwork, personal integrity, self-esteem, and a life-long appreciation for live theatre,