Summer Camp hosted at First Presbyterian Church
Education
Experiencing and creating live theatre ignites curiosity, fosters belonging, and heightens creativity; inspiring growth for artists, audiences, and communities on stage, and in life.American Stage Education provides opportunities for intellectual, social, and emotional growth through inclusive and accessible programs. Discover our classes for youth and adults, summer camps, productions for young audiences, and enriching collaborations with schools and community groups.
Be curious. Be creative. Be YOU! At American Stage, we provide a quality performing arts education in a positive and empowering environment giving young people the tools to be fearless, focused, and flexible on stage and in life. Studying theatre does not only help students become accomplished and confident performers and communicators, it also strengthens creative, intellectual, and emotional growth.
All experience levels are welcome! We believe in fostering an accessible environment that encourages a sense of belonging, curiosity, and collaboration. Our teaching artist staff consists of working theatre professionals who have a passion for teaching, and are trained in key methodologies, cultural competency, and inclusion.
Be curious. Be creative. Be YOU! At American Stage, we provide a quality performing arts education in a positive and empowering environment giving young people the tools to be fearless, focused, and flexible on stage and in life. Studying theatre does not only help students become accomplished and confident performers and communicators, it also strengthens creative, intellectual, and emotional growth.
All experience levels are welcome! We believe in fostering an accessible environment that encourages a sense of belonging, curiosity, and collaboration. Our teaching artist staff consists of working theatre professionals who have a passion for teaching, and are trained in key methodologies, cultural competency, and inclusion.
Explore your imagination! Children will have so much fun re-imagining characters and scenes from their favorite stories and books! They will begin to use their bodies, voices, minds, and imaginations to bring these new stories to life all the while learning how to collaborate! The class will end with a final sharing of the stories explored in class.
Does your child sing and dance along in front of the television while watching a Disney animated classic? Well this is the class for them! Through group numbers from their favorite animated musicals, kids will learn how to sing and dance together as an ensemble. The class will end with an informal presentation of the songs explored in class.
Immerse your child in music, dance! Not only do students work to refine acting through song, singing and movement skills, Students work as a true ensemble to put on a 30 minute musical.
Discover the actor inside of you! This class is the first step to building confidence and a solid foundation in the art of acting. Students will learn basic theatre skills in a supportive and creative environment. Learn how to answer the questions all actors must ask before they even pick up a script: Who? Where? What? Why? How? Students will share what they’ve learned in a Final Sharing for family and friends on the last day of the session!
Teens will explore the actor’s tools (body, voice, mind, and imagination) to create characters, and make bold choices that connect with the story and the rest of the ensemble. Fun theatre activities will encourage them to learn and take creative risks in a safe and supportive environment. Students will share what they’ve learned in a Final Sharing for family and friends on the last day of the session!
Musical theater performance is more than just singing; it’s acting through a song. By using material from contemporary and classic Broadway musicals, teens will explore how to interpret a song and gain collaboration skills by working on group numbers. This class will culminate in a final sharing on the last day of the session.
In this fun and creative class, kids will learn the basics for television and film acting by creating original commercials and scenes. Students will learn how to create characters through acting techniques and situations through scene analysis that will jump off the screen.
Improvisation skills are the foundation of any successful performance. Teamwork, listening, spontaneity, and thinking on your feet. Students use improv games and exercises to increase performance skills and awaken creativity Excellent for students looking to boost self-confidence and positivity or for fans of script-less performance. This class will end the session with a final sharing.
Adult Classes invite artists of all levels to elevate, explore and brush their skills. These courses are offered in eight or 10 week courses as one-time sessions. American Stage Education fosters an accessible environment that encourages a sense of belonging, curiosity, and collaboration. Our teaching artist staff consists of working theatre professionals who are culturally competent, have a passion for teaching, and are trained in key methodologies.
Have you ever been curious about acting? Begin your exploration of the actor's journey by learning techniques that every actor must know. In this class you’ll learn the fundamentals of the craft.
Whether you're an actor who wants to give better auditions or a lawyer who wants to be more at ease when speaking in front of people, beginner's improv will help you think more quickly on your feet, unblock your creativity and think outside of the box!
Whether you are a beginner looking to learn new methods or an artist honing your craft, this exploratory course will introduce students to the fundamentals of film acting. Experience artistic growth as you monitor your progress through weekly recorded performances each week in preparation for acting on the big screen.
In this unique class, students will develop their physical creativity, intellectual curiosity, and ensemble skills by exploring physical movement. Students will create characters, express thoughts, feelings, and actions through movement techniques. This is the perfect class for students just beginning their acting journey.
Hone your musical theatre abilities as you discover your strengths and expand your showmanship skills. This musical theatre scene-study course focuses on making strong choices toward discovering objective, taking risks, and living in the moment through song. Outside partner work may be required.
Learn and discover the proper approach to scene work and character development by using what the playwright has given you on the page. Explore strong character choices, taking risks in a scene, and creating dynamic relationships between characters. Continue your self discovery as an artist while building your ability for further advanced study.
Get ready to book your dream role! Students taking this necessary class will prepare monologues, what to expect in the audition room, how to approach a self tape audition, how to prepare and strategies for standing out at your next audition. This class will culminate in a mock audition. This class is suited for theatre performers or an individual who is interested in becoming a better auditioner.
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American Stage Education provides a variety of experiences for schools, educators and students to journey beyond the classroom. From touring productions, to field trips to the theatre, to residencies in your school, students explore the power of the performing arts, and teachers expand on their learning goals in a supportive and active environment. Our programs for schools and students ignite a thirst for learning about new people, places, and ideas. Choose your adventure below!
American Stage offers a number of special performances for student audiences through our Student Matinee program, including live onsite productions and digital productions for your students.
Experiencing live theatre empowers us all to be bolder, wiser, and more compassionate on stage and in life. Through our student matinee program, many students have the opportunity to see a play for the first time, and to foster a love for powerful storytelling and the performing arts. We select plays in our season that support what local educators are teaching in their classrooms.
Includes:
- Post show Chatback with the cast & crew
- In-person or virtual workshop with your class connected to Florida State Standards in Language Arts & Theatre
About the Show:
Charles Dickens wrote a short story that has become one of the most adapted pieces of literature in history. The story of Scrooge is well known, but what about Marley? How did his haunting afterlife begin? In his version of the carol, Marley is escorted by a spritely creature along the pathway to redeeming his soul – by helping to save the one man on earth who was more greedy and sour than himself. We come to find that self sacrifice can make a difference in the end.
“…[Blends] a Dickens sensibility with a taste for fairy tales and contemporary wit…thoroughly charming—a holiday treat…” — Chicago Herald
Age recommendation: Grades 6-12
Complimentary tickets to 1 chaperone per 10 students booked
Includes:
- Post show Chatback with the cast & crew
- In-person or virtual workshop with your class connected to Florida State Standards in Language Arts & Theatre
About the Show:
Picture it. 1986. An all girls school in Ghana and there’s a new girl in town, an American, who challenges the reigning queen bee. There’s a prestigious pageant on the line, which could provide the opportunity to move up in the world to the lucky winner. This is a funny and touching story about the universal teenage struggle, and the need to feel like you belong. The Hollywood Reporter said it was “ferociously entertaining, as heartwarming as it is hilarious” and the Washington Post called it a “charming comedy of adolescent angst.”
“A ferociously entertaining morality tale that proves as heartwarming as it is hilarious…” —Hollywood Reporter
Age recommendation: Grades 6-12
Complimentary tickets to 1 chaperone per 10 students booked
For generations, young people have experienced theatre for the first time in their lives with the American Stage School Tour. Each school year, a team of professional theatre artists travels to your school with staged adaptation of classic children’s literature.
Our 2021-2022 Family Series production is a fresh, accessible, original play created by the American Stage team: FAIRYTALES REIMAGINED inspires us all to find joy in coming together to share stories.
Opens February 21, 2022
Adapted from Grimm’s Fairytales
by Sadie Lockhart, Patrick A Jackson & Tiffany FordCo-Directed by Tiffany Ford & Sadie LockhartCreative Consultant: JL Rey | Special Thanks: Kellys Camacho-Robinson
When the power goes out at Abuela’s, Mateo and his older sister Isabella are stuck with nothing to do, but Abuela has other plans… With the turn of a page from the family’s storybook, some familiar classic fairytales are reimagined in brand new ways! Mateo and Isabella discover just how fun and powerful sharing stories can be. All it takes is a little imagination.
This production is great for classes studying world cultures (specifically the Spanish language), family dynamics, storytelling, and reading & literacy.
Bring a performance to your school!
$425 for up to 200 students
(50% off for a 2nd same-day performance)
Includes:
An interactive study guide connected to Florida State Standards
Post-show chatback with the cast!
To schedule a performance, contact us at education@americanstage.org or 727.823.1600 ext 212
Experience American Stage’s popular School Tour on our MainStage!
Includes:
A relaxed performance environment
Sensory friendly accommodations, such as a pre-show “touch tour”
Saturday, April 23 at 11am
Sunday, April 24 at 1pm
Tickets Coming Soon!
See study guide above for more details
FL State Standards for grades K-12
LAFS.K12.W.3.9; LAFS.K12.R.2.6; LAFS.K12.SL.2.4; LAFS.K12.R.3.9; LAFS.K12.W.1.3; LAFS.K12.R.2.5
WL.K12.IM.8.3; WL.K12.IH.8.1; WL.K12.IM.8.1; WL.K12.NH.3.6; WL.K12.NM.8.1; WL.K12.NH.9.1; WL.K12.NM.4.5;
SS.2.G.1.4; SS.3.G.2.1; SS.5.G.4.2
TH.K.F.3.1; TH.1.S.1.2; TH.2.S.1.2; TH.3.S.2.1; TH.4.H.3.1; TH.5.O.1.2; LAFS.K12.W.3.9; LAFS.K12.L.3.6; LAFS.K12.L.3.6
Download the full Benchmark Results from Cpalms.org here
FL Early Learning and Development Standards
III. Social and Emotional Development
IV. Language and Literacy
VII. Social Studies
VIII. Creative Expression Through the Arts
John is an actor and singer based in St. Petersburg, FL. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of West Florida and recently completed a year-long apprenticeship with American Stage Theatre Company. Selected favorite credits include: Che (EVITA), Husband/CPA (See What I Wanna See), Piragua Guy (In the Heights), Prince Escalus (Romeo & Juliet), Man 2 (Songs for a New World), Agwe (Once on this Island). He’s also appeared in several world premieres, including EL WIZ (Paul Castaneda & Juan Cantu), The Impossible Escape of Don Misterioso (Hal Borden), and Pecking Order (Robin Rice). American Stage credits include ‘Shakespeare Lite: Romeo & Juliet’, ‘For the Love of Shakespeare’, ‘Five Times Around’ (an original devised piece), and most recently, UNCAGED. He is very much looking forward to being silly and learning a whole lot this summer!
Nicholas was most recently seen in American Stage’s Digital School Tour production, FAIRYTALES REIMAGINED credits include STUPID F**KING BIRD, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, THE ICEMAN COMETH (Tampa Repertory Theatre) The FANTASTIKS (freefall theatre) A FEW GOOD MED (Stageworks Theatre) SILENCE: THE MUSICAL, TWELFTH NIGHT(Jobsite Theater) POPCORN FALLS (Walnut Street Theatre) COLOMBINUS (Innovocative Theatre) amongst others. Education: Point Park University and University of South Florida. He’s happy to be returning to American Stage again to create this unique theatrical experience for children and families.
William is an award winning actor, director, music director, dancer, and singer. He began music directing at age 15 and attended Berklee College of Music. While working with a big band orchestra, William fell in love with ballroom dancing and traveled the world for years as a professional dancer. He has worked in every aspect of theatre for over 40 years. His most rewarding projects include developing a wheelchair ballroom dance program and performing for area elderly memory care homes.
Alexa holds a B.A. in Performing Arts from the University of Tampa where she performed in many shows, including Moon Over Buffalo, Temptation, and Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. After this, she spent a few years in Chicago where she continued to learn and perform theatrically and on screen in television shows such as Empire and The Exorcist. She has been working with a number of theaters in the Tampa Bay Area since moving back to Florida, including American Stage. You may have seen her in the recent virtual school tour Fairytales Reimagined: Stories for a New World or in the virtual reading of The Polar Bear Society. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to pass on everything she has learned and contribute to her community through the arts.
Ryan is a singer, songwriter, actor and music director. She is a Berklee College of Music alum where she studied Contemporary Writing/Production and Vocal Performance. During her time at Berklee she discovered a love for composing, arranging, and music directing. She was heavily involved in the growing Musical Theater Performance and Writing Initiative. After college, Ryan spent time performing in various cities in Ohio before moving to Chicago where she attended classes at The Second City and began teaching private voice and piano. Since moving to St. Petersburg she has music directed theater camps for American Stage and South Tampa Center for the Arts.
Thank you for your interest in American Stage’s Summer Camp Financial Aid program!
EVERY child should have access to a high quality arts education. Seeing theatre, and participating in theatre-making empowers us to be bolder, wiser, and more compassionate on stage and in life. Our SPONSOR-A-STUDENT program provides financial support for young people to experience theatre and playmaking across our programs. At little to no cost, children and teens have the opportunity to attend Summer Programs
Applying for Sponsor A Student is easy!
Important Reminders:
Every Sponsor A Student application requires support materials be uploaded or mailed. Applications cannot be processed until we receive both support materials. Required support materials are:
1. Select One of Following Options:
Statement of Interest: A brief (1/2 – 1 page) letter or video (30-60 seconds) from your student answering the following questions:
– Why do you want to attend the program?
– What do you hope to gain or learn through our programs?
– What do you think you can bring or give to this program?
OR
– A sample of the student’s artistic work (a piece of writing, poetry, drawing, video of a performance, a song they like to sing, a joke they enjoy telling, etc.). Photos and scans of original documents are great. Please note that the artistic piece can be a work in progress and does not need to be polished. Our main goal is to the see the student exercising their creative expression.
OR
– A letter/statement of recommendation from the student’s teacher about why they see them an excellent fit for this program.
2. Select one of the following to prove your annual income (Please blur or black out your social security number before including):
– Your most recent household tax returns (2019 or 2020)
-4 Pay Stubs
-Letter from your employer
-Disability Insurance
-Unemployment Documentation
Tips for a great application:
