Classic Melodies Performance Institute


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presents a complete comprehensive drama program with performance opportunities for all ages.

Students in this age range are placed with a group of students in their same age/ability level. They study improvisation, audition techniques, memory skills, group acting and reacting, imagination, focusing games, and how to build a character through a hands on approach. For example: This age builds their own characters physically to understand the mental process that goes on with building a character. We build puppets, character houses, stuffed animal characters and more. Anything that can be shown with high energy and factual information is the approach we take at Classic Melodies. Kids at this age learn the excitement of drama in the most exciting ways possible. They put into practice what they have learned in class by performing on at least two occasions. We perform a small Christmas play with this age group and they perform again at our Spring Concert in June. Rehearsals for shows are held in addition to their regular scheduled class time.

Students in thsi age range are placed with a group of students at their same age/ability level to expand upon improvisational skills, auditioning skills, ensemble work, relaxation and role playing, & character building. Comprehensive Curriculum is used to build their basic knowledge of acting and form a strong foundation in the process of theater. Theater games are used to develop and expand their knowledge of the focus and attention required to be a good actor. They are given an audition packet to help them audition at not only our school but other local and regional community theaters. These students will perform with our company at least twice during the year to learn how to build a role from the beginning to the stage. Additional rehearsals for shows are held in addition to regular class times.
Students are responsible for providing the show cost to cover costumes, venue, scripts & show expenses. Typically show production cost are $100 per show and students only perform in one of these shows per year. Free tickets are given to the students which they may sell to earn their $100, or they may choose to participate in other fundraisers which we provide, or the parent may simply choose to pay the production fee without participating in ticket sells or fundraisers. These shows are not for profit and production cost are the responsibility of the students in the show. Students are not required to participate in the show and may still attend drama classes and learn all it has to offer without doing a show. However, a show is not only a performance opportunity but a learning opportunity as well.

Students in this age/ability level are students who demonstrate the ability to comprehend the basic acting foundations and understand the basic elements of acting. Students at this level are split into two groups. Intermediate Drama 2A and Intermediate Drama 2B. Class times and groupings are based on level of experience, age, and comprehension abilities. Students who are not of high school age are usually placed into group A and students of high school age are usually placed into group B. This depends once again on comprehension, years of training, age and is at the discretion of the instructor. All students will be placed into classes that will best fit their learning needs to make sure that all students achieve the highest level of training possible. Students at this level will expand on Basic Acting Techniques, theater games, theory, auditioning techniques, and will perform on at least two occasions. One performance will be a play. Please refer to the show production cost listed above in Intermediate Drama 1. This year Intermediate Drama Students from Level 1 and 2 will be combined to perform, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

Students in this class are placed there by invitation only. They must have completed basic drama training and understand the basic elements of acting. They must be able to read 6 plays per year with the ability to analyze the text. They must have an eagerness and passion for drama and be willing to attend 4 hours of regular class time per week and be willing to attend additional rehearsals which will be held outside of regular class times for their show. Please refer to show policies in the description listed above. They must be able to study and understand Shakespeare and Classical Theater. A student must have a positive attitude, good attendance, and in most cases be in high school or college to be placed in this group. They must demonstrate maturity, ability to take extensive constructive criticism, and participate in high levels of improv and theater games. They will be asked to do things in front of the class that require them to be open, honest, and truth seeking. All things that are required for good actors. Students in this group are preparing for possible futures in drama and should treat drama with a great deal of respect and be willing to expand their training with an open mind at all times. Students at this level are expected to participate in playwriting, and Improv Troupe. Students at this level will train in film as well as stage and must have an audition packet that includes 5 monologues at all times. Students are not automatically promoted to this level following Intermediate Drama 2B training. Most students in this level will have trained with us or elsewhere for years.

The Advanced Drama Class is currently in rehearsals for "The Boys Next Door" which will be held at Kentucky Center for the Arts in the Mex Theatre on March 27th - 29th.

Casting for drama shows will be held in January. Mixed levels may be cast in various shows. Each show is not necessarily for a particular level, however, for certain shows it may play a factor. We have a great casting policy. If you are the best person for the part you will be cast in that part. Casting is based on professionalism not personal feelings. We make sure that students are cast in roles that are not too difficult for them and in roles that they can be believable as the character. It serves no one to miscast a show. The director wants you to be good. Our shows depend on it. Show rehearsals are held outside of regular scheduled class times and rehearsals for shows will not usually take place during class times. There are exceptions. Students are not required to audition for shows: however, it is very rare for a student to be able to be the actor they desire to be without the opportunity to perform. However, we will not force anyone to audition.