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FALL CLASS
DESCRIPTIONS
SESSION DATES
CLASS SCHEDULE
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F.A.Q.'S
Frequently asked...well you know the rest.
Is there a show that you "put on"?
No, not within the acting school division. There is an open presentation within the last class of each session, where family and friends can view progress and class work, which changes with each level of study.
Can my child audition for a Main Stage show?
When we produce shows on our Main Stage, that require casting children, by this we mean children's roles, such as the young roles in Annie, or Sound Of Music, we audition our students first and then open the auditions to the public. Our Main Stage is a fully professional theater that employs members of Actors Equity and Musicians who are members of Local 802 and Directors and Choreographers that are members of SSD&C. Adult roles are cast from the talent pool in Manhattan. For example, if we were presenting GREASE, or JOSEPH, or even HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, we would cast the roles in Manhattan. Professional actors would be cast, not local high school aged performers.
Is there an opportunity to perform?
At Gateway we provide real skill training. We do not focus on a product, that may or may not allow all members of the production a fair amount of training. We'd rather have each individual student shine in their own scene, monologue or song. The Summer Children's Theatre offers a chance of performing, for those interested.
Where do we go from here? Can my child get an agent?
We do offer a SHOWCASE where we present those who have great potential for competing at a professional level to Casting Directors and Agents in Manhattan in the Spring. It is a very limited program.
As far as where to go from here, we formulate the school to have many levels of training. Those who are already working in the industry take class as well as those who hope to be. We have cold reading classes for those who are auditioning. We have a college entrance audition class for High School Seniors looking to get into great drama programs. We have had a good success rate in placing many of our students in prestigious colleges and many with scholarships. We have had many students fortunate enough to book jobs as well.
If my child took Level One for one session, should she/he move up to Level Two for the second Session?
No, not necessarily, and not often. Many students take Level One for a year at least. They then would move on to Level Two the next year. Some students progress at a more rapid pace, which is decided by the staff here at Gateway.
If my child was in his/her school plays, or community theatre productions, should he/she take Advanced or Level Two classes?
Not necessarily and not often. We do audition new students for upper level classes if they are interested. Some students have a natural gift. School plays are not training. The participants do get experience being on a stage, but more often than not, the habits they pick up, from teachers and fellow performers who are not properly educated, have to be undone in our classes. There are exceptions in some school districts, where students are fortunate to have real artists teaching them, but not many. Community Theatre productions also do not offer technique training, which is vital to every young actor.
More FAQ's to come....keep checking!
Year Round Professional Training for Kids & Teens
We take talented, creative kids, and we open up their world. We allow them to be who they are, to think deeper, to feel larger, to dream bigger. We give them tools and skills... though technique and dramatic methods, to guide them, shape them and broaden their horizons..........
This is where it all began and still begins.
Gateway began, really, with the barn. in 1950 or so....three talented siblings and a lot of inspiration. you can see the white and gray structures way back there, behind the red. those are the "new buildings" built in the early 60's, the Main Stage Theater and stage house where we present our professional productions. But it is here, up front, where we live..and do the work of arts training... in the barn where it all began...and the various rehearsal studios on the eight acre campus of what is now known as the historic gateway playhouse, one of the top ten summer theaters in the nation and Long Island's Premier Professional Theater.
If you want to get to know us a little better, you can read the answers to the questions on the right of this page. if you want to find out if there is a class for you, you can scroll down and read the class descriptions.
If you want to register, you can download the information packet and fill out the application. You can always email us to find out if there is room in the class or classes you would like to take.
One thing you should know. We are all about training. Performing can be a joy, but to embrace it for everything it is, you have to study the art of it, just like any other art form. You would never wear toe shoes without learning first position, play a concerto without knowing your scales, or paint a portrait without studying figurature.
Here's all you have to do.....
Click the links below to download fall session details. Included is an application you can fill out and send in.
FALL SESSION 2008 WORD DOCUMENT
FALL SESSION 2008 ADOBE PDF DOCUMENT
If your browser is Safari, you may need to right click either of the two above links, and select to Download the linked file. If you use Internet Explorer or Firefox, you can double click as customary.
If you are unable to download the information, send us an email requesting a printed copy.
We conduct most of our communications by email, as we have sporadic office hours on days when classes are not ongoing. Please email with any questions or concerns and you will receive a reply ASAP. artsoffice@gatewayplayhouse.com We do not have a registrar for the Acting School Division available in the Gateway Main Office on a full time basis and do not handle enrollments in person.
Please do not visit without an appointment.
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FALL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS-
THEATER GAMES - Basic acting classes specifically geared for our little ones. Stage awareness and theater fundamentals are taught using all types of imagination lessons and performing exercises. Character inventing, short speech writing, made-up commercials and fairy tale enactments- are some what the classes will incorporate. Students perform in a short play at the end of the session. ages 7-8, beginning class. $225 Full Session fee
LEVEL TWO THEATER GAMES - Young actors who have been in Theatre Games previously will be introduced to more advanced improvisation exercises. Children will work on creating characters and improvising scenes. They will use their imagination and develop skills that will help them to act truthfully in performance. Those interested should have taken at least two sessions of Theater Games. ages 6-8, accelerated class. $305 Full Session Fee
LEVEL ONE ACTING - Fundamental acting skills are taught through the use of serious and comedic improvisations and technique exercises. Script work is used as the class progresses. Students discover their unique voices and inner nature. Scenes or monologues are performed at the end of each session. ages 9-11, 12-14 beginning class. $225 Full Session Fee
LEVEL TWO AND ADVANCED ACTING– We work on creating full and interesting characters and the characteristics, intentions, and goals of these characters within the given circumstances. We use improvisation and technique exercises along with monologue and scene work. Scenes are performed at the end of each session. ages 9-11, 12-14, accelerated classes. $305 Full Session Fee
THEATRE TECHNIQUE FOR TEENS - Essential knowledge of the many techniques used in Acting will be covered. For both beginning and advanced actors, this class will employ all levels of exercises that will establish the teachings of Stanislavsky, Meisner, Stella Adler, and more. Improvisation and movement exercises will be used to build awareness, presence and physicality on stage. ages 15-18, mixed level class. $305 Full Session Fee
SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP - In this class, training will be refined through method exercises while exploring use of classical text in Shakespeare’s great works. Students will be assigned roles from the play and given the opportunity to perform work shopped scenes in a final presentation. The concept and meaning of his works will be explored as we contemporize the setting and bring selections of Shakespeare’s plays to life. ages 14-18, mixed level class. $305 Full Session Fee
MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE Based on her experience casting years of Musical Theater in Manhattan, Robin Joy Allan has designed this course to truly teach local kids how to audition with their own voices, with command, with strong and unique musical pieces. Our extensive library of music is continually updated, drawing from what is being performed at professional auditions. Students learn how to appreciate all musical styles, as they build an audition portfolio of songs designed uniquely for them. Performance skills are honed delving into lyric interpretation and expression as well as vocal technique. There is not another course like this offered on Long Island. ages 8-11, 12-14, 15-18, mixed level class. $330 Full Session Fee
SCENE AND MONOLGUE STUDY - For experienced performers and college bound students looking to get a head start on monologues and advanced scene work. Monologues and scenes from classic and contemporary plays from our large library are chosen according to each students personality, type and strength. Advanced exercises and methods of technique will be used to strengthen students overall performance for college auditions and professional endeavors. Monologues are critiqued and coached to meet the standards of competitive College and University drama department entrance auditions. ages 15-18, accelerated class. $330 Full Session Fee
COLD READING - How about landing those auditions? This class will work on a scene each week, read it cold, receive coaching and come back the next week prepared. Scenes will be handed out each week so that students always have a chance at a cold reading and at a perfect one. They will be able to see the difference and learn how to prepare quickly in order to audition brilliantly on their own, with an arsenal of acquired skills. Experience or training is a prerequisite for this class. ages 12-14, 15-18 accelerated class. $330 Full Session Fee
Monday Classes |
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Class Name |
Ages |
Times |
COLD READING |
12-14 |
4:15 – 6:15 |
MUSICAL THEATER |
15-18 |
4:15 – 6:15 |
COLD READING |
15-18 |
7:00–9:00 |
ADVANCED ACTING |
12-14 |
7:00 – 9:00 |
FALL AND WINTER SESSION DATES-
SESSION I....September 20 – December 15
SESSION II....January 31 – May 18
