INTRODUCTION TO ACTING (ages 9-12)

INTRODUCTION TO ACTING (ages 9-12)
July 21 – August 2
1pm – 5pm (Mon-Fri)
Performances August 1 & 2 starting at 6pm
Workshop fee: $360 (local) / $400 (non-local) 

Actors will focus on character development, stagecraft basics, movement, stage presence, music, and improvisational skills, all while developing a strong sense of tribe and passion for theater. The workshop will culminate in two performances on August 2 & 3 (rain or shine) as part of the annual Shakespeare in the Valley productions.

Scholarships are available: Please don’t hesitate to apply if you need it. Scholarship forms are available here.

Vanessa Van Burek grew up in the valley that surrounds The West Kortright Centre and holds her experience as an actor in the Shakespeare in the Valley productions as one of the most important influences in her life. Vanessa returned as the teacher of Theater Games for three years and was Assistant Director for Introduction to Acting for four years. This is her eleventh year as co-director of Intro to Acting. She is a founder and staff member at the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, a self-directed democratic school in the Hudson Valley. Vanessa is a parent of seven, a soccer player, photographer, adventurer and an advocate for children’s rights.

Anaar Desai-Stephens is a violinist, singer, and assistant professor of ethnomusicology at the CUNY Graduate Center. She grew up next door to the West Kortright Centre and is a proud alumna of the YPTAW and Shakespeare in the Valley programs, which shaped her creatively from ages 6-18. In addition to her creative and intellectual activities, she is the proud mama of two kiddos and a cat.

Nini Kauffman-O’Hehir has attended programs at the West Kortright since childhood; as an alum of both the Intro to Acting and Shakespeare programs they're very excited to be returning here as an Assistant Director this year! They are currently studying theater and education at Bard College.