Three Reasons to Sign Up for the Granada’s Youth Summer Drama Class
All up-and-coming theater folk, take note: For the first time ever, the newly restored Granada Theatre will be hosting its very own summer session of applied drama classes for kids, starting Monday, July 14. Following on the heels of the now-¼ber-popular High School Musical films, the course, titled Performing Children’s Theatre, offers youngsters ages 10 and older the opportunity to act, sing, play music, and take part in stage setup and production. The 10-day long course costs $150 per student, and would-be participants are encouraged to call 893-3000 or visit granadasb.org for additional information.
1) Have Script, Will Travel: The class itself will run a 10-day course, from Monday through Thursday, July 24. During that time, students will be led by the Granada’s Director of Education Stephanie Angelini. Following the instruction period, Angelini will take her troops on the road to perform their 30-minute-long theater piece at Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation spots. The performances will take place at venues around the city from Monday, August 4, through Friday, August 8. In these settings, the kids will perform for audiences of all ages, ultimately teaching the community that theater can be performed-and enjoyed-by everyone. “People don’t realize how difficult it is to perform for young audiences,” commented Angelini in a recently released statement. “Kids are sophisticated, smart, and loud, so the students will learn how to [engage] young audiences through exercises, training, and rehearsals.”
2) Center Stage: But perhaps the most thrilling and enticing aspect is the fact that students will be working inside the Granada itself. With a state-of-the-art lighting system, dazzling Spanish-tinged decor, and acoustics incomparable to nearly any other show spot in town, the 1,550-capacity theater is the ultimate playground for young adults interested in learning about-and learning to enjoy-the theatrical arts. Likewise, all the students will be onstage simultaneously, acting, creating sound effects, narrating, and moving props and sets, making for a well-rounded and all-inclusive look at the production process.
3) Community Spirit: Performing Children’s Theatre is not only the first of its kind, but it marks the beginning of a series of youth-orientated sessions put on by the Granada Music & Arts Conservatory. The umbrella program will create opportunities for young people to use and learn through the theater year ’round as a means of fostering creative growth in the Santa Barbara youth community. Through the conservatory, students will be able to take part in retreats, masterclasses, and other programs, all being led by professionals in the arts. It’s a great opportunity and the program supports a great cause-and it’s just one more example of how chic “theater geek” has become.
