Access Programs:

Arts Access (click here to go directly to classes)
AccessAbility opens doors by providing supportive, safe access to the theatre arts for young people with physical, developmental, language and/or cognitive disabilities. Emphasis is always on enhancing the self esteem and self-confidence and developing communication skills in a warm and supportive atmosphere. Our early childhood classes encourage a multi-disciplinary learning experience using of dramatic play to access the senses to gain mastery towards expression and communication. As our students get older, classes foster team work, friendship and empathy, and improves communication. Students interested in performance may take Wings! or audition for Pegasus Company, our teen acting company.

We ask that all new parents/guardians interested in AccessAbility classes contact the mentor for an initial meeting to ensure that their student is placed in the appropriate class.

Deaf Access (click here to go directly to classes)
Deaf Access provides an opportunity for deaf & hard of hearing students to build both theatre arts and life skills, as well as to open the culture of the Deaf to people in the hearing world through theatre performances. Classes are led by a team of deaf and hearing instructors, and program guest artists include professional actors, playwrights, sign masters, and choreographers. For preschool age deaf, hard of hearing, and KODA students, Creative Drama classes are conducted in both sign language and voice. Interpersonal skills and self-esteem are fostered in a fun and creative environment. Teens participate in the Deaf Access Company, an acting class focused on the style of visual theatre or audition for the Senior Deaf Access Company, an integrated acting troupe.

NEW CLASSES ADDED!

Acting Workshop (6 wks)
#5279 Apr 2 - May 7, Wed 4 - 5:30, $180, ages 12 - 16
#5280, Apr 2 - May 7, Wed 5:30 - 7:00, $180, ages 17 - 21

Online registration available soon. Until then, please register with a registration form, available in pdf here.

Ages 3–grade 5
Private Music (12 wks)
#5286 Tuesday, 4:00 - 4:45 $360 Grades 1 - 5

Music and Movement (12 wks)
#5288 CLOSED Saturday 3:00 - 4:00 Ages 6 - 8

AccessAbility: Create a Character (12 wks)
This class enables children to use their creativity to create fantasy characters to interact with each other in a collective story developed by the entire class to form a play or playlet. They will focus on character development information plus story/play structure. It is an excellent way to work both independently plus collaboratively.
#5283 CLOSED Sunday 4:00–5:00 $286 Grades 1–3 tba

AccessAbility: Children of the Rainbow: On the Spectrum (8 wks)
This class is designed to capitalize upon the patterning opportunities available to the mind of a child on the spectrum, patterns and organizations that may help center and calm the child and aid in communication abilities. Class focuses on the 7 colors of the rainbow spectrum, the natural order of thesecolors,the 7 notes of any musical scale, the 7 seas of the world, 7 numbers, etc.
#5284 CLOSED Tuesday 4:00–5:00 $350 Grades 2–4 tba

Teens
AccessAbility: Reality Theatre
Students explore real life skills in the most natural way: by using interactive dialogue and role-playing opportunities in improvised dramatic scenes designed to give them practice in every day activities, such as making friends, extending conversations, going out to a restaurant, learning to understand feelings of others, saying “I’m sorry”, saying “Good- Bye”, etc. Emphasis is placed upon creating an acting community of trust that builds both technique and life skills.
# 5281 Monday 5:00–6:00 $286 Grades 6 & Up

AccessAbility: VoiceAbility (10 wks)
Students explore correct breathing and vocal technique to support and protect their singing voice. Additionally, each student studies a solo song with individual instruction along with participating in group chorale work. Diction, articulation and phrasing exercises are an important focus of each class.
#5282 CLOSED Wednesday 3:30–4:30 $286 Grades 7 & Up

AccessAbility: Pegasus
(18 wks)
Go to Conservatories & Ensembles

Ages 3–grade 1

Deaf Access: Jungle Adventures (7 wks begins January 12) This 7-week class is designed for deaf and KODA (kids of deaf adults) students only and is conducted in both sign language and voice. In this fun jungle theme based class, students explore animal stories each week through dramatic play, movement and visual art. Interpersonal skills and selfesteem are fostered in a fun and creative environment.
#5291 Saturday 10:15–11:15 $115 Ages 3–5 Lisa Agogliati & Stella Antonio-Conley
#5292 CLOSED Saturday 11:30–12:30 $115 Grades K–1Lisa Agogliati & Stella Antonio-Conley

Teens

Junior Deaf Access
(12 wks begins January 14 )
An exciting opportunity for deaf and hearing students to work together in theatre. Students will develop skills in the style of visual theatre, which includes signs, facial expression, and mime. NEW students are required to schedule an interview with Deaf Access Program Director Lisa Agogliati prior to registering for class.
# 5290 Monday 6:30–8:00 $295 Ages 11–15 Stella Antonio-Conley & Diane Nutting

Deaf Access Company
Go to Conservatories & Ensembles for registration and audition information.

online registration begins December 1st

Questions?
Contact your mentor:

Arts Access
Pam Cohen
301.280.1631
pcohen@imaginationstage.org

Deaf Access
Lisa Agogliati
301.280.1630
lagogliati@imaginationstage.org

Imagination Stage
Accessability Students
learn:

• Clarity of speech
• Sharing
• Empathy
• Identifying goals of self
  and others
• Teamwork
• Ability to “think on one’s
  feet”
• Listening
• Pride in personal creative
  talent and impulses
• Increased poise in front of a group

More Information about Deaf Access:

2007-2008 Deaf Access Company & Student Production

Language for the Eye

Dreams to Sign

The Garden Wall

Past productions

Our staff

Resources


Imagination Stage Deaf Access Students learn:

Early Childhood:
social skills, loco-motor skills,
creative expression

Grades K–5:
Communication skills, Social
skills, Active Listening,
Rhythm, Melody, Character
and Relationships, Narrative
Structure, Teamwork and
Cooperation.

Teens:
Acting technique, Rehearsal
and Performance Skills,
Visual Communication,
Concentration, Self-
Reliance, Self-Confidence, an
understanding across deaf
and hearing cultures