Venice Theatre Winter/Spring Classes

Elementary Classes

Act it out for Grade 2

INSTRUCTOR: LIZ PASCOE-BROOME

In this fun creative dramatics class students will experience the joy of theatre games and exercises that help them to develop social skills. New students welcomed. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

JAN. 16-MAR. 6, MONDAYS, 4-5 P.M. $155

Musical Theatre for Grades K-2

INSTRUCTORS: VANESSA RUSSO & PAMELA HENLEY

Back by popular demand! This song and dance class is specifically designed for little stars in grades K-2. Students learn dance and singing techniques for Musical Theatre. New students welcomed! Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

JAN. 18-MAR. 8, WEDNESDAYS, 4-4:45 P.M. $155

Theatre Magic for Grades K-1

INSTRUCTOR: KELLY DUYN

In this fun-filled theatre class for grades K-1 students will use the body, voice, mind and imagination while increasing social and communication skills. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

JAN. 19-MAR. 9, THURSDAYS, 4-5 P.M. $155

Broadway Bound for Grades 3-5 Performs!

INSTRUCTOR: VANESSA RUSSO

PREREQUISITE: FALL BROADWAY BOUND CLASS FOR GRADES 3-5 OR BY PERMISSION. In this Musical Theatre performance class for grades 3-5, students will brush up their dance moves and singing voices as they rehearse for the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 14 during spring break.

JAN. 24-APR. 18, TUESDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Fun,

Fun, Fun! Improv for Grades 3-5 Performs!

INSTRUCTOR: BECKY HOLAHAN

PREREQUISITE: FALL IMPROV CLASSES FOR GRADES 3-5 OR BY PERMISSION. In this performance semester, students will sharpen their improvisation skills as they rehearse to perform in the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 15 during spring break.

JAN. 25-APR. 19, WEDNESDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Acting Level 1 for Grades 3-5 Performs!

INSTRUCTOR: EMILY URITZ

PREREQUISITE: FALL ACTING LEVEL 1 FOR GRADES 3-5 CLASS OR BY PERMISSION. In this level 1 performance acting class for grades 3-5, students apply the FUNdamentals learned last semester as they rehearse for the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 16 during spring break.

JAN. 26-APR. 20, THURSDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Register at venicetheatre.org/education

Middle School Classes

Acting Level 2 for Grades 6-8 Performs!

INSTRUCTOR: PRESTON BOYD

PREREQUISITE: FALL ACT 1 CLASS OR BY PERMISSION. In this performance acting class for grades 6-8, students apply the techniques learned last semester as they prepare for the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 13 during spring break.

JAN. 23-APR. 17, MONDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Acting Level 1 for Grades 6-8 Performs!

INSTRUCTOR: BRAD WAGES

PREREQUISITE: FALL ACTING LEVEL 1 CLASS FOR GRADES 6-8 OR BY PERMISSION. In this level 1 performance class for grades 6-8 students will hone their acting chops as they rehearse for the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 27-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 14 during spring break.

JAN. 24-APR. 18, TUESDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Musical Theatre for Grades 6-12 Performs!

INSTRUCTORS: VANESSA RUSSO & STEPHANIE JABRE

PREREQUISITE: MUSICAL THEATRE FOR GRADES 6-12 FALL CLASS OR BY PERMISSION. In this performance semester, Musical Theatre students in grades 6-12 will rehearse for the Raymond Center Showcase. Vanessa and Stephanie will tune up your voices and get your feet dancing to the beat! Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 15 during spring break.

JAN. 25-APR. 19, WEDNESDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

High School Classes

Musical Theatre for Grades 6-12 Performs!

INSTRUCTORS: VANESSA RUSSO & STEPHANIE JABRE

PREREQUISITE: MUSICAL THEATRE FOR GRADES 6-12 FALL CLASS OR BY PERMISSION.

In this performance semester, Musical Theatre students in grades 6-12 will rehearse for the Raymond Center Showcase. Vanessa and Stephanie will tune up your voices and get your feet dancing to the beat! Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 p.m., and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no class on March 15 during spring break.

JAN. 25-APR. 19, WEDNESDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $350

Scene Study for Teens Only Performs! Grades

INSTRUCTOR: NATALIA MOCK

9-12

In this performance semester, teens in grades 9-12 will delve into techniques that strengthen their scene work as they prepare for the Raymond Center Showcase. Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students need to be available for tech rehearsals and shows on April 26-28 after school, April 29 from 1-3:30 pm, and April 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm. There is no class on March 18.

JAN. 28-APR. 22, SATURDAYS, 1-3 P.M. $350

5-6-7-8!

Adult In-Person Classes

Adult Dance with Vanessa

INSTRUCTOR: VANESSA RUSSO

Vanessa will keep you dancing to Broadway musicals! This adult dance class will focus on traditional musical theatre technique, help you sharpen your dance auditions, and introduce you to new dance combinations. Classes held at South Venice Civic Association.

Students may be involved in an adult class demonstration on March 20, 6-8:30 p.m., for which there would be an additional class on Monday, March 13. There is no class on February 16.

JAN. 26-MAR. 23, THURSDAYS, 7-8:15 P.M. $145

Don’t Say No! Adult Improv

INSTRUCTOR: PRESTON BOYD

If you have never been involved in an Improv class, you’ll find you can’t get enough of it! Guaranteed building of acting skills and barrels of laughs! All levels welcome! Classes held at Starz Choice Dance Academy.

Students may be involved in an adult class demonstration on Monday, March 20, 6-8:30 p.m., for which there would be an additional class on Monday, March 13.

JAN. 29-MAR. 19, SUNDAYS, 6:30-8 P.M. $175

The Director Prepares with Benny

INSTRUCTOR: BENNY SATO AMBUSH

Venice Theatre Artistic Director Benny Sato Ambush offers a step-by-step, methodical process of essential preparatory work of the Director—before auditions and before the first rehearsal—where the Director’s chance at success is made. This foundation work will empower you as an effective leader in the room ready to begin work with others. Areas of investigation include how to communicate with designers, how to prepare for casting and auditioning, rehearsal organization, problem-solving, and how to talk to actors. No prior directing experience is required, just a serious willingness to take a deep dive into the art of directing. Veteran directors are welcome. Involves homework and a fair amount of reading, contemplating, and writing. Classes held at Starz Choice Dance Academy.

JAN. 29-MAR. 19, SUNDAYS, 6:30-8 P.M. $175

Adult In-Person Classes

Pinky’s Players

INSTRUCTOR: BECKY HOLAHAN

PREREQUISITE: STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE BEEN CAST TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. Pinky’s Players is a Venice Theatre community engagement program—with heart—that gives adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to experience the delight of performing on VT’s Raymond Center Stage in May. Please note this program is not structured to offer one-on-one support of students. Student actors must meet admission criteria. Classes held at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center.

Student actors must be available for technical rehearsals May 15 - 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 7:30 evening performances on May 19 & 20; and a 2 p.m. matinee on May 21.

JAN. 30-MAY. 8, MONDAYS, 5-6:30 P.M. $240

Adult Scene Study

INSTRUCTOR: PRESTON BOYD

This adult scene study acting class will deepen your understanding of the text and allow for authentic connection with your scene partner. Classes held at Seaside Springs Retirement Community.

Students may be involved in an adult class demonstration on March 20, 6-8:30 p.m. Some memorization required.

JAN. 30-MAR. 20, MONDAYS, 7-8:30 P.M. $175

Adult Virtual Class

Pen to Paper, Beginning Scene Writing for Adults

INSTRUCTOR: SANDY DAVISSON

In “Pen to Paper” you will learn what makes a play click! This beginning virtual playwriting class is for adults who want to explore the basic tenets of writing scenes for the stage.

JAN. 26-MAR. 2, MONDAYS, 3-4:30 P.M. $160

The Arc of the Scenic Design

INSTRUCTOR: JASON BOLEN

This virtual class will explore the steps a designer takes to develop a scenic design. Deriving your ideas from a classic text, you will use script analysis, research and visualization to create your own scenic design. This class will be fun, creative and challenging!

FEB. 22-MAR. 15, WEDNESDAYS, 7-8:30P.M. $110

LEARNING IS A PROCESS.

Such is the approach for Venice Theatre’s education programs. We offer a “no shortcuts,” high-quality theatre training program with top-notch, caring instructors. We also offer classes, camps, and workshops that are fun for all involved.

After sustaining major damage from Hurricane Ian and suspending all theatre activities, Venice Theatre classes are back! We could not have offered classes this semester without tremendous support from these community partners who generously offered us space in their facilities: Starz Choice Dance Academy, Venice Middle School, The Haven, Loveland Center, Venice Area Beautification, Inc., Troll Music, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Whether you’re in kindergarten, retired and brushing up on your theatre history, or want to try your hand at improv, Venice Theatre is ready to make a dramatic impact on your life!

Class offerings vary from semester to semester, but you can always count on beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting classes, a few dance offerings, and at least one behind-the-scenes class for those who aren’t interested in being on stage.

We also have one and two-day workshops in case a longer commitment doesn’t work for your schedule.

GRADES 6-8 STUDENTS IN THEIR SPRING 2022 CLASS SHOWCASE

THE ADULT IMPROV CLASS PRESENTS THEIR FINAL SHOWCASE

Arabian Nights: Feb. 24 – March 5, Pinkerton Theatre

Xanadu: March 24 – April 16, Pinkerton Theatre

The Silver Foxes: March 28 – April 2, Raymond Center

Graceland and Asleep On the Wind by Ellen Byron: April 21 – May 7, Raymond Center

Teen Improv: April 30, Raymond Center The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]: May 5 – 21, Pinkerton Theatre

Adult Improv: May 14, Raymond Center

Pinky’s Players: May 19 – 21, Raymond Center

Kinky Boots has been moved to the 2023-24 Season and will be performed Jan. 12 – Feb. 11, 2024. Tickets will be available in July 2023.