Musical Theatre

Winter/Spring Course Offerings 2009

The Musical Theatre program at Imagination Stage promotes the acquisition of acting, singing and dancing skills through a variety of age appropriate, sequential classes.

In elementary grades, students develop their understanding of musical theatre concepts and skills such as melody and rhythm, breathing, relaxation, posture and ear training. Coupled with these skills and concepts, students develop an understanding of how three-dimensional characters are created. Their imaginations and creativity are fostered as they learn the art of storytelling through song.

As students progress through elementary into middle school their knowledge and skills deepen and expand. Acting concepts become increasingly complex, and as the students develop physiologically and cognitively, their work becomes increasingly sophisticated. By high school, students are working with a solid foundation in music theory and acting technique. As their voices begin to stabilize and mature, students fine-tune their skills.

Please note: All listed classes are available for registration EXCEPT for those noted as "Full" or " Closed". Website information is updated every day, at least once.

Grades K–1

Drama & Music
Creative drama and music are integrated in this fusion class. Students create their own stories, songs and dances based on popular children’s tales. Using simple props and costumes they create characters and bring their stories to life. <<back to top>>

Musical Theatre Songbook!
This class, recommend for returning students, focuses on vocal technique and ensemble building skills. The class offers students a breadth of experience in musical theatre.<<back to top>>

Grades 2–3

Songs on Stage
Building on the work done in “Actors Who Sing,” students continue to develop their vocal technique and music training while exploring characters in depth through scene and song work.
Recommended for students who have taken “Actors Who Sing.” <<back to top>>

Grades 4–5

Scene into Song
This skill-based class is for students returning to Imagination Stage. Students develop their understanding of characters and relationships both in scene and song work. They continue to expand their music training and vocal technique as they begin to apply skills to the interpretation of text and music as an actor. Prerequisite course recommended. <<back to top>>

Teens

Musical Theatre Technique
This class, recommended for returning students, continues to develop acting, vocal and dance technique. Focus is placed on character physicality and vocal dynamics, as well as character development in scenes and songs. <<back to top>>

Group Voice
Designed to give an introduction to private voice instruction, students learn about breath support and vocal technique.  Working with a teacher trained as a private voice teacher and coach, students work as a group (no more than 6) to learn music and explore their range.  The lessons will include group work (both large and small) as well as individual coaching. Material and design of the class is based on the needs of the students. <<back to top>>

Private Voice
Students gain developmentally appropriate skills in vocaltechnique, breathing, relaxationand posture. Contactregistration@imaginationstage.org to schedule a 30 minute timeslot. <<back to top>>

Workshops

Audition Prep
This intensive workshop focuses on the selection and preparation of appropriate material for middle, high school and college auditions. For an additional fee, students may schedule time with the filmmaking department to have their monologues recorded on VHS or DVD. <<back to top>>

Musical Theatre Scene Study
This six-week workshop is recommended for students with an intermediate to advanced knowledge of singing, acting and stage technique. Students perform scene/song excerpts from musicals to further advance their musical and acting technique. Skills developed will include score and text analysis, character relationships, motivation and objectives, clear lines of action, and graceful transitions from speaking to singing within a scene. <<back to top>>

Musical Theatre Conservatory
See Conservatories & Ensembles

Classes begin January 17. Late registration is subject to availability and suitability of the class.

Questions?
Contact your mentor:

Kierstie Whitehead
kwhitehead@imaginationstage.org
301-280-1621

Imagination Stage Students learn:
Grades K–1:

• Melody
• Rhythm
• Pitch
• Timbre
• Harmony
• Sight Reading
• Ear Training
• Vocal Technique

Teens:

• Vocal dynamics
• Character physicality
• Interpretation
• Vocal technique
• Musicianship