MEDIA THEATRE FALL SEMESTER OF ACTING CLASSES STARTS IN SEPTEMBER

With August upon us, Fall is just around the corner. Which means it's not too early to register for The Media Theatre's Fall Semester of Acting Classes which begin the weekend of September 10.

The popular acclaimed Children and Teen Acting Classes will be returning, as well as the Adult Acting Class. With those, three new classes with two new faculty members will enhance the curriculum.

Media Theatre Child and Teen Acting Class students are invited to appear in upcoming children's shows. Here are students from last season's successful production of "Peter Pan And Wendy"

Several students previewed the new "Intro To Shakespeare" class a few months ago, and now the class joins the schedule permanently Monday nights at 6:30 starting September 12. The eight week course is instructed by John Baxter. The class is for teenagers and adults as they study the Bard's prose. Students will learn the basics of Shakespeare through script reading, analysis, vocal dynamics and rhythm.

John Baxter, who will teach the new "Intro To Shakespeare" eight week course

"Intro To Shakespeare" instructor John Baxter graduated from Villanova University with a Master's Degree in Theatre in 2015, and he has a B.A. in Arts Production and Performance from Neumann University. He's been seen at Media Theatre in several productions, including To Kill A Mockingbird and Annie and he assistant directed various shows at Neumann University. He taught acting, auditioning and Shakespeare classes at the Smyrna Opera house.

Kate McGrath brings her knowledge of writing plays and thinking fast on her feet to two new classes: "Teen Improv" and "Adult Improv". The "Teen Improv" class will meet on Wednesdays at 5pm, with the "Adult Improv" taking over on Wednesdays at 6:30. Each are eight week courses which meet for 75 minutes per session.

Kate McGrath, playwright and dramaturg, who will instruct the new Improv Classes

Both Improv classes share the same format, with the structure including creating characters and scenes, analyzing the scenes as they develop, and adding both humor and drama to Improv. Each will be geared to the specific age group, allowing both to feel comfortable in their own group setting.

McGrath holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University and a BA in Theatre, Minor in English (Creative Writing) from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as a Morehead Scholar. Her Theatre training also took place at National Theatre Institute, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The London Theatre School. She is a Teaching Artist with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and leads workshops at Strath Haven Middle School, Elkins Park School, and others. She's also been an instructor with Wolf Performing Arts and ArtSpace Lansdowne as well as a four year part-time Upper School faculty with Shipley School where she directed plays and taught theatre to ninth and tenth grade students. She has a professional background in the art of improvisation, having performed with ComedySportz, the Improv Institute, and Playback Theatre. She is also a playwright and dramaturg.

Roger Ricker, who has been in over 100 productions at The Media Theatre and has worked with Artistic Director Jesse Cline since 1991, will continue instructing the Level One Children's Class on Saturday mornings at 9am for ages 5-8, and the Level Two Children's Class on Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 for ages up to 11. He'll also head the Teen Acting Class on Sunday evenings at 6pm.

Tim Haney, who has directed two mainstage productions at Media and has been with Media Music Theatre Company since 1998, instructs the continuing Adult Acting Class on Tuesdays at 7:30pm starting September 14.

To register for The Level One or Level Two Children's Classes, as well as the Teen Acting Class and Adult Acting Class, REGISTER HERE

To register for the two new Improv Classes, or the Shakespeare Class,
please call 610-891-0100.

All classes are $400 for the Fall Semester.