PEACH WEEKENDER
Children’s theater group to offer new series of classes
12/26/2013
The Children’s Theatre Workshop has been training young thespians since 1954. Above: The organization’s summer production of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ In Blade photo above right: Children perform in ‘Tom Sawyer’ in 1957.
The Children’s Theatre Workshop has been training young thespians since 1954. Above: The organization’s summer production of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ In Blade photo above right: Children perform in ‘Tom Sawyer’ in 1957.
The Children's Theatre Workshop, a Toledo organization that has been educating budding thespians for decades, is offering a new series of classes next month.
The organization's goal is to produce theater "for children, by children," Rick Bush, office manager, said in an email. It has provided classes for kids since 1954, and the organization now serves students attending more than 40 area schools. Over the years performances have been at the Toledo Zoo, the Village Players theater, and the former Westgate Dinner Theater, among other venues, but since 1986 the workshop has been at the Collingwood Arts Center in the Old West End.
Judy Wood, Steve Balch, and Lex Yougman, as Becky, Tom Sawyer, and Huck Finn, in 1957 photo of Tom Sawyer, presented by Children's Theatre Workshop.
Children's Theatre Workshop's Main Company is open to students 5 to 12 years old. They will participate in 10 one-hour Saturday classes for a fee of $130. Class members may perform in the company show at the end of the semester at no additional charge, and will have at least one spoken line in the play, Canterbury Tales, or Geoffrey Chaucer's Flying Circus, to be staged May 10-11. Registration for the Main Company is from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 11 in the Collingwood Arts Center theater, 2413 Collingwood Blvd; classes start Jan. 18.
The Teen Company is for students in grades 7-12 and includes 10 two-hour Saturday classes and the opportunity to audition for a part in the Teen Company show, for $165 per semester. To join the Teen Company, students should interview with artistic director Aimee Reid during a session from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Collingwood Arts Center theater. Classes for the Teen Company start on Jan. 11. Information: 419-244-5061 or e-mail reidctwtoledo@gmail.com.
The Workshop also offers summer camps and a summer musical.
Rep classes
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre Rep Ed winter classes will be offered Jan. 11 through March 1, with the theme “Space Oddities.” Children ages 7 to 16 will receive instruction in singing, dancing, acting, design, and technical arts along with other theater basics. At the end of the session, the children perform in a showcase to show family and friends what they have learned. Classes are at the 10th Street Theatre Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. The eight-week course is $100 per student. Participants should bring a snack, drink, folder, blank CD, and pencil to each class. Flip-flops, clogs, and hard shoes are not permitted. For more information or to register, call Kathy McGovern, Rep business manager, at 419-243-9277, ext. 4. Registrations also will be taken on the first day of classes if openings are available.
Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. Callbacks, if needed, will be held Jan. 8.
“Steel Magnolias” will be presented Feb. 21, 22, 28, and March 1. It will be directed by Monica Siesel. Information: 419-484-2787 or bellevuearts.net.
Contact Sue Brickey at: sbrickey@theblade.com.