K4 & K5 Class with Ashlea Wleklinski and Brenna KempfIn
K4-K5 Acting, students will explore the ROOTS of a scene
(relationship, objec-tive, obstacle, tactics, and stakes) to create
dynamic stage pictures. They will begin to explore working as an
ensemble, using their imagination, bodies, and voices as
instruments. Students will use and apply concepts of stage
direction in creat-ing short, frozen scenes and learn about the
narrative structure essential to good storytelling.
1st-2nd Grade Class with Jennifer Adams and Nate PressThis
session we will explore how actors use the body, voice, and
imagination to create characters and tell stories. We will explore
acting techniques through books such as Caps for Sale, My Many
Colored Days, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and many more!
Through a different storybook each week students will use
improvisation and creative storytelling to build confidence, make
create choices, and work as a team.
A Note from the Academy DIrectors
FYI...On Stage:
A MIDNIGHT CRYInspired by the true story of a young slave’s
journey to freedom! For tickets call (414) 267-2961 or visit
www.FirstStage.org.
NEWS FROM THE ACADEMY • Volume 3 Issue 8 • Winter Academy 2014
at St. Marcus
...read more inside...
IN FOCUSis the newsletter of the
First Stage Theater Academy,published each session to
highlight the work of our staff and students.
Jennifer AdamsEditor
Patrick G.H. SchleyGraphic Design
Want to get moreinvolved at First Stage?Join the Green Room
Society, our Volunteer Group! Contact Heather at (812) 201-4285 or
[email protected] for info!
We can’t think of a more exciting place to learn and grow in the
arts than the First Stage Theater Academy! Every moment in the
Academy is unique and exciting. One minute our students are taking
big bold risks, in the next they are analyzing scripts, and then
developing stories of their own. They do all this while encouraging
each other to try their best and be themselves. Our partnership
with St. Marcus School is very dear to us and we are happy to bring
our programming to the school each Wednesday afternoon. Through
theater activities we aim to support St. Marcus stu-dents in their
social, emotional, and creative growth as citizens today and into
the future.
— Jennifer Adams and Katie Cummings
Top photo byLindsey Abendschein
InFOCUS
School’s Out for the day? Come to First
Stage!Our Play in a Day classes are available throughout the
year on MPS days off. Register at www.FirstStage.org!
What’s going on in the classrooms?
proud Cornerstonemember of
FIRST STAGETHEATER ACADEMYLife Skills Through Stage Skills
3rd-5th Grade Class with Allie Bonesho and Karl IglesiasIn this
class, we will challenge ourselves to bring life to specific
characters, emerge ourselves in various set-tings, and actively
call on our problem solving skills to complete our many adventures.
We will learn about the structure of a play, articulation, physical
and vocal awareness, and the essentials of character development.
Games, scenarios, and creative movement will allow us to call on
our acting skills to create memorable mo-ments.
In Focus
page 2
Volume 3 Issue 8
page 3
What’s Going On in the Classrooms? (continued)
In First Stage classes, students learn...
Join us for “anatole”Students will recieve a ticket voucher for
ANATOLE this session—we hope to see you at the show!
When the noble French mouse Anatole learns that humans view mice
as the villains of France, he embarks on a musical adventure to
save a cheese fac-tory, restore his family’s honor, conquer a cat,
and truly become a Mouse Mag-nifique! Based on the Caldecott medal
winning books, Anatole is the story of France’s bravest and most
honorable mouse. A wonderful mix of genuine heart and absolute
hilarity, AnATOlE promises to delight every member of the family.
The production runs February 21-March 16 at the Todd Wehr
Theater.
Meet the Faculty & StaffVisit www.FirstStage.org to read
more about all of our staff members!
Jason Knop, Lead Teacher
Jennifer Adams, Academy Director
Katie Cummings, Academy Director
Patrick Schley,Academy
Services Mgr.
Malkia Stampley, CommunityPartnership Coordinator
Nate Press
Allie Bonesho Rubi Gonzalez, Wednesday
Intern
Karl Iglesias,Lead Teacher
Brenna Kempf
AshleaWleklinski
All photos by Lindsey Abendschein
