Desert Stages Theatre's DST Academy Classes for September

 

Sign up for DST Academy classes by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTAcademyRegistration

Come get fit with Allie! The FIT FOR BROADWAY class for teens will focus on exercising the right muscles for the right dance moves AND learning dance combos from your favorite TV shows and musicals!

Have you ever felt sore after a dance call or a long 5-hour dance rehearsal? Allie will help you become better at knowing your own body - with style! Come get whipped into shape to songs from The Prom, The Greatest Showman, Glee, Mean Girls, Victorious, Zombies, SIX, and more!

Instructor: ALLIE ROSE

Allie Rose has been involved at DST as an actor, choreographer, camp counselor, and dance captain for the past 9 years. She just finished her last semester as a member of Mark and Lynzee 4man’s award-winning HyRev Troupe at Arizona Broadway Theatre. Upon graduating high school, Allie is earning her certification as a personal trainer before moving to New York City. Next to living and breathing musical theatre, Allie loves nothing more than to be working out at the gym - and she can’t wait to bring her two favorite things together into one fun class!

Cost per student: $100

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for Fit for Broadway here:

https://bit.ly/DSTFitForBroadway

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

In Script Work, we will utilize different scripts to practice developing characters. Learn to break down text, pick out context clues, and create relationships. Practice cold reading skills, and work on creating questions to ask yourself and your directors about characters. We will even look at songs to find character growth and plot development in the text. Take away valuable skills for all of your future auditions!

Instructor: LISA BARTON FIGUEROA

After appearing in more than 60 productions at Desert Stages, Lisa Barton Figueroa pursued her directing career in college at the University of Tampa where she majored in Theatre with a minor in Education and Public Speaking. She then moved to New York where she received a Master’s degree from New York University with a focus on directing youth theatre. Lisa has been directing youth and teen shows at DST for eight years.

Cost per student: $200

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for SCRIPT WORK by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTScriptWork

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

All live theatre begins with a good story, so we invite the youngest members of our DST community to be engaged with master storyteller Elly Reidy every Wednesday morning in September on our Cullity Hall stage!

Books, butterflies, balloons, and a barnyard band combine to create a wild time for preschoolers, ages 3 - 6. Each session will begin with a storytime, followed by a creative theme-related craft project. These 90 minute stand-alone sessions will be delightfully facilitated by local favorite “Miss Elly.” Each child MUST be accompanied by one parent or guardian.

Instructor: ELLY REIDY

Elly Reidy has been telling stories professionally since 1998. She is a 2007 graduate of South Mountain Storytelling Institute, and a three time member of the Nu Wa Storytelling delegation to China. She has taught storytelling workshops for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in several local elementary schools, and she was a contributing author to the book How To Be a Storyteller, published in 2012. "Miss Elly" has over 30 years experience in library Youth Services Departments, including 21 years with the City of Glendale. Most recently, she completed training through the Teaching Artist Program (TAP) conducted by trainers from The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and hosted by ASU.

Cost per Mom/Tot: $80

Class size: Limit 10 Moms/Tots

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for STORY AND CRAFT TIME by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTStoryTime

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

Join us when the CENTER STAGE program returns to DST on Wednesday afternoons in September! In classes designed for kids ages 6-12, we'll sing and dance to songs from your favorite Pixar movies: Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc., and more! By the end of the four-week session, we will have a fun show for your friends and family to enjoy!

Instructor: CATE CARLINO

DST alumna and longtime DST camp counselor Cate Carlino is currently studying musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles where she will soon earn her BFA. When she is not on stage, Cate enjoys working with children, teaching them what she loves to do. Cate is so excited to be back at DST, and she can’t wait to get started!

Cost per student: $150

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for Center Stage here: https://bit.ly/DSTCenterStageW

NOTES: Temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

During this engaging, interactive, student-led series of masterclasses, students will explore recent events in regards to social injustice during these fragile and uncertain times. Students will also create original music and monologues to help them give voice to the struggles of their hearts in a hopeful, compassionate, and empathetic way.

All skills will be taught as part of the process, so no musical, writing or performing experience is necessary. David has years of experience in working for social justice through music, theater, and community action.  Additional speakers will provide diverse perspectives. Join us, and discover how you can use the arts to be part of the solution as we celebrate and embrace our cultural differences and similarities. $30 of your tuition payment is a tax-deductible donation to The UBU Project.

Instructor: David Simmons

David Simmons has enjoyed a diverse career as an educator, performer, producer, recording artist, worship leader, and mental health advocate. He has served as education director and teaching artist for Arizona Broadway Theatre, Desert Foothills Theatre, and Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, and as a teaching artist for Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center, Childsplay Theatre, and the Missoula Children’s Theatre, among others. David is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Music.

David currently serves as founder and creative director of The UBU Project, an education outreach company specializing in Social/Emotional Arts Integration Residencies. The mission of UBU is: to end youth suicide, addiction and bullying through arts integration. 

David has performed live with Alice Cooper, The Solid Rock House Band and members of REO Speedwagon, A-ha, Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, The Phoenix Symphony, and The Schubert Kirche Orchester (Vienna) and has served as music director, bassist, and featured soloist on tour with Motown recording artists The Drifters.

Whether in a classroom, coffee shop, rock club, worship space, or classical concert hall, David brings a wealth of experience, energy, and encouragement to every stage, school, or project he encounters.

Cost per student: $250

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for THE ARTS AS ACTIVISM by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or online: https://bit.ly/DSTArtsAsActivism

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

This fun-filled two hour INTRO TO IMPROV class will introduce students to essential skills in creativity, spontaneity, listening, acceptance, confidence-building, collaborative creativity and teamwork – all in an active and humorous way! Every Thursday in September, DST will offer two classes - one at 4pm for students aged 11-14, and the next at 6:30pm for students 15-19.

Instructor: JOE HAMMER

Joe Hammer has a rich history in entertainment and practical training programs. His “learn by doing” philosophy will have his students up on their feet and playing from day one. They’ll experience positive thinking while improving socials skills, self-confidence, creativity, and articulation. Students will undo rigid thinking that blocks creativity while enjoying a “no pressure” zone where they will practice bravery, risk-taking, and generosity in a kind, safe environment. They’ll discover and share what makes them awesome!

Whether interested in acting, stage work, or simply developing more self-esteem and confidence, this class will have students taking center stage learning the skills of improvisation in a supportive and fun setting! Joe’s training deeply focuses on acceptance, listening, awareness, and grounding, all allowing his students to engage with and support each other as both actors and audience members.

Cost per student: $200

Class size Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for INTRO TO IMPROV I or INTRO TO IMPROV II by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTIntroToImprov

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

Come feel the music with Erin and Kristin! We want to take this opportunity to spark a love for musical theater analysis. This aspect of musical theater exploration will give teen actors a chance to explore the deeper meanings behind the music, the story, and the characters. Our goal is to create a safe space for actors to freely analyze and discuss the prevalent social issues surrounding them daily. Over the 4-week class session, we will explore two musicals: THE PROM and SPRING AWAKENING. We will listen, read, discuss, and of course, PERFORM!

Instructor: KRISTIN ALBA

Kristin Alba has been involved at Desert Stages since 2004. She began as a youth performer and moved on to hold many positions such as dance staff, camp counselor, and assistant director. Currently, Kristin is one of the directors and choreographers of the youth theater productions. Kristin’s performance-based training includes 4 years of acting and dance training and 8 years of vocal training. She has performed in more than 50 community theater productions in the Valley. She also spent the past 3 years as a 2nd grade teacher and holds dual Bachelor degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Currently, Kristin is working on her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy. She is thrilled to continue spreading the love of performing with DST’s youth and teen community!

Instructor: ERIN TARKINGTON

For nearly 13 years, Erin has been working hard to develop her musical theater craft. Beginning as a youth performer herself, working on over 50 productions, she has since continued to evolve and strengthen her skills both on stage and off. Over the past few years, Erin has continued performing, directing, and choreographing Desert Stages Onstage Productions, meanwhile pursuing her bachelor’s degrees at Arizona State University in Human Communication and Family and Human Development. As she continues on to pursue her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Erin looks forward to simultaneously recommencing her passion for educating youth actors, offering them a safe space, resources to discover themselves, and tools to improve their musical theater craft. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for theater with the next generation of talented performers.

Cost per student: $200

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for MUSICAL THEATRE BOOK CLUB by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTMusicalTheatreBookClub

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

Are you ready to bring your musical theater skills to the next level? Join Erin and Kristin for this fun four-week intensive! Teen performers will receive tips, tricks, training, and feedback to maximize their performances. Get ready to nail your next audition as we practice singing, dancing, and acting your way to being the best performer you can be!

Instructor: KRISTIN ALBA

Kristin Alba has been involved at Desert Stages since 2004. She began as a youth performer and moved on to hold many positions such as dance staff, camp counselor, and assistant director. Currently, Kristin is one of the directors and choreographers of the youth theater productions. Kristin’s performance-based training includes four years of acting and dance training and 8 years of vocal training. She has performed in more than 50 community theater productions in the Valley. She also spent the past three years as a 2nd grade teacher and holds dual Bachelor degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Currently, Kristin is working on her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy. She is thrilled to continue spreading the love of performing with DST’s youth and teen community!

Instructor: ERIN TARKINGTON

For nearly 13 years, Erin has been working hard to develop her musical theater craft. Beginning as a youth performer herself, working on over 50 productions, she has since continued to evolve and strengthen her skills both on stage and off. Over the past few years, Erin has continued performing, directing, and choreographing Desert Stages productions, meanwhile pursuing her bachelor’s degrees at Arizona State University in Human Communication and Family and Human Development. As she continues on to pursue her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Erin looks forward to simultaneously recommencing her passion for educating youth actors, offering them a safe space, resources to discover themselves, and tools to improve their musical theater craft. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for theater with the next generation of talented performers.

Cost per student: $200

Class size: Limit 10 students

Location: Cullity Hall

Sign up for TRIPLE THREAT WORKSHOP by calling the DST Box Office at (480) 483-1664, or register online: https://bit.ly/DSTTripleThreat

NOTES: For the safety of everyone, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, masks will be mandatory for all in attendance, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.