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For Immediate Release: IMAGINATION STAGE LAUNCHES ONLINE CLASSES FOR FALL SEMESTER More than 100 Online Arts Classes for ages 1-18 begin September 21 BETHESDA, MD (August 4, 2020). Registration opens today for Imagination Stage’s popular theatre and creative arts classes. The Fall 2020 semester moves online with a full selection of creative and interactive experiences. With six and ten-week classes in acting, creative drama, musical theatre, dance, filmmaking, and early childhood, this online fall semester features new classes specifically designed for the online format as well as reimagined family favorites. Classes begin September 21 for ages 1-18. Imagination Stage is committed to serving DMV families with artistic education programming in a safe and accessible way within the constraints of COVID-19. Building on a successfully reimagined summer of online programming, Imagination Stage is equipped to provide virtual space for students to have a creative outlet in a time where arts and extracurricular programs are under scrutiny. These online arts experiences encourage students to build community and expression while having fun through distance learning. “We are excited to have found new ways of using technology to connect our community of arts learners,” said Imagination Stage Director of Education & Theatre for Change Joanne Seelig Lamparter. “This fall we will use our expertise as leaders in arts education to inspire creativity and provide technique through classes especially designed for virtual learning. We are amazed at the friendship and fun that was had throughout our summer program and look forward to bringing that joy directly into families’ homes this fall. Families need creativity now more than ever. Just because we can't gather in person doesn't mean we can't keep our kids active and engaged!” In addition to adapting popular in-person classes to the online format, the fall semester brings several exciting class titles brand new to Imagination Stage programming, including two new virtual ensembles for teens - International Theatre Exchange and LGBTQIA+ Stories: Devising with Queer Youth, both for students in grades 7-12. International Theatre Exchange is an opportunity for teens to exchange artistic ideas with a youth theatre group from another part of the world. Using simple prompts, the group will start to devise original theatrical material around a common theme, culminating in a short video performance combining artistic strengths from both groups. Specifically for Queer-identifying youth and their allies, students in LGBTQIA+ Stories: Devising with Queer Youth will share their stories and perspectives to cultivate a space of reflection and support while developing an original performance from start to finish. This class is an opportunity for students to learn first-hand how theatre can be a form of activism, using the arts to share what they have to say in a supportive atmosphere. In addition to these two new virtual ensembles, Imagination Stage continues its performance-based programming with upcoming auditions for students in grades 4-12. Speak Out on Stage is a long-running Imagination Stage program in which students in grades 4-6 are able to work together as an ensemble (along with a professional playwright, director, and composer) to develop an original musical or play. IStage Dance Theatre provides movement-driven students (with dance experience, in grades 7-12) the chance to build on their performance and choreography skills as they develop a Dance Theatre performance as an ensemble while working with a professional choreographer. Rounding out upcoming Imagination Stage performance opportunities is the brand new IStage Zoom Play Festival for grades 6-12, a lineup of plays by award-winning playwrights that will stream live on YouTube December 18-20. Beyond performance and ensemble opportunities, Imagination Stage has crafted curriculums that specifically utilize the online format as a way to enhance programming, rather than seeing it as a hindrance. From Commercial Creators and Animated Voice Overs for younger students, to Monologue Coaching, Computer 2D Animation, and Voice Over Work: Accents & Dialects for middle and high school students, the Education team at Imagination Stage has jumped at the opportunity to discover new and innovative programming appropriate for virtual learning. “Shifting to an online format has opened up content that we haven’t been able to offer - or haven’t imagined offering - before,” said Nikki Kaplan, Associate Director of Education. “We’re diving into different technique areas of performance, such as voice work, radio plays, and playwriting. The change in format has challenged us to find the core of the programming and allowed us to expand into new ways of teaching and engaging our students, that we will continue to utilize when we resume in-person classes safely, again.” The fall semester of Imagination Stage Online Arts Classes begins September 21. Families interested in registering can learn more and sign up online at imaginationstage.org or by contacting the Registrar at registration@imaginationstage.org. DETAILS Register online: https://imaginationstage.org/classes/ Ages: 1 - 18 Dates: Available September 21 - December 20 Tuition: $60-$700 SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/ImaginationStage Twitter.com/I_Stage Instagram.com/imaginationstage ABOUT IMAGINATION STAGE Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire creativity through theatre and arts education programs that nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities. It offers year-round professional theatre for young audiences and classes in creative drama/acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. Visit imaginationstage.org. ###
For Immediate Release:
IMAGINATION STAGE LAUNCHES ONLINE CLASSES FOR FALL SEMESTER
More than 100 Online Arts Classes for ages 1-18 begin September 21
BETHESDA, MD (August 4, 2020). Registration opens today for Imagination Stage’s popular theatre and creative arts classes. The Fall 2020 semester moves online with a full selection of creative and interactive experiences. With six and ten-week classes in acting, creative drama, musical theatre, dance, filmmaking, and early childhood, this online fall semester features new classes specifically designed for the online format as well as reimagined family favorites. Classes begin September 21 for ages 1-18.
Imagination Stage is committed to serving DMV families with artistic education programming in a safe and accessible way within the constraints of COVID-19. Building on a successfully reimagined summer of online programming, Imagination Stage is equipped to provide virtual space for students to have a creative outlet in a time where arts and extracurricular programs are under scrutiny. These online arts experiences encourage students to build community and expression while having fun through distance learning.
“We are excited to have found new ways of using technology to connect our community of arts learners,” said Imagination Stage Director of Education & Theatre for Change Joanne Seelig Lamparter. “This fall we will use our expertise as leaders in arts education to inspire creativity and provide technique through classes especially designed for virtual learning. We are amazed at the friendship and fun that was had throughout our summer program and look forward to bringing that joy directly into families’ homes this fall. Families need creativity now more than ever. Just because we can't gather in person doesn't mean we can't keep our kids active and engaged!”
In addition to adapting popular in-person classes to the online format, the fall semester brings several exciting class titles brand new to Imagination Stage programming, including two new virtual ensembles for teens - International Theatre Exchange and LGBTQIA+ Stories: Devising with Queer Youth, both for students in grades 7-12. International Theatre Exchange is an opportunity for teens to exchange artistic ideas with a youth theatre group from another part of the world. Using simple prompts, the group will start to devise original theatrical material around a common theme, culminating in a short video performance combining artistic strengths from both groups. Specifically for Queer-identifying youth and their allies, students in LGBTQIA+ Stories: Devising with Queer Youth will share their stories and perspectives to cultivate a space of reflection and support while developing an original performance from start to finish. This class is an opportunity for students to learn first-hand how theatre can be a form of activism, using the arts to share what they have to say in a supportive atmosphere.
In addition to these two new virtual ensembles, Imagination Stage continues its performance-based programming with upcoming auditions for students in grades 4-12. Speak Out on Stage is a long-running Imagination Stage program in which students in grades 4-6 are able to work together as an ensemble (along with a professional playwright, director, and composer) to develop an original musical or play. IStage Dance Theatre provides movement-driven students (with dance experience, in grades 7-12) the chance to build on their performance and choreography skills as they develop a Dance Theatre performance as an ensemble while working with a professional choreographer. Rounding out upcoming Imagination Stage performance opportunities is the brand new IStage Zoom Play Festival for grades 6-12, a lineup of plays by award-winning playwrights that will stream live on YouTube December 18-20. Beyond performance and ensemble opportunities, Imagination Stage has crafted curriculums that specifically utilize the online format as a way to enhance programming, rather than seeing it as a hindrance. From Commercial Creators and Animated Voice Overs for younger students, to Monologue Coaching, Computer 2D Animation, and Voice Over Work: Accents & Dialects for middle and high school students, the Education team at Imagination Stage has jumped at the opportunity to discover new and innovative programming appropriate for virtual learning.
“Shifting to an online format has opened up content that we haven’t been able to offer - or haven’t imagined offering - before,” said Nikki Kaplan, Associate Director of Education. “We’re diving into different technique areas of performance, such as voice work, radio plays, and playwriting. The change in format has challenged us to find the core of the programming and allowed us to expand into new ways of teaching and engaging our students, that we will continue to utilize when we resume in-person classes safely, again.”
The fall semester of Imagination Stage Online Arts Classes begins September 21. Families interested in registering can learn more and sign up online at imaginationstage.org or by contacting the Registrar at registration@imaginationstage.org.
DETAILS Register online: https://imaginationstage.org/classes/ Ages: 1 - 18 Dates: Available September 21 - December 20 Tuition: $60-$700
SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/ImaginationStage Twitter.com/I_Stage Instagram.com/imaginationstage
ABOUT IMAGINATION STAGE Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire creativity through theatre and arts education programs that nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities. It offers year-round professional theatre for young audiences and classes in creative drama/acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. Visit imaginationstage.org.
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