Fall theater arts educational programming for adults & children available at Theatre Jacksonville

Theatre Jacksonville Press Release
CONTACT: Sarah Boone, Executive Director, at (904) 396-4425 or [email protected]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 24, 2020) – Registration is now open for Theatre Jacksonville’s fall educational programs for both adults and children. Creative outlets are important now more than ever during these challenging times – and Theatre Jacksonville is offering both individual and group virtual options for theatrical exploration. If you have ever considered dabbling in theater, if you are looking to improve your craft, or if you were passionate about acting when you were younger and have always dreamed of getting involved again, our fall programming has options for you.

For adults, Theatre Jacksonville is partnering with two well-respected NYC-based acting and voice coaches to offer one-on-one virtual sessions, all from the comfort of your own home. Adult voice coach and Yale graduate Dorothy Bishop has lived in New York City for more than 20 years and is experienced in audition prep, comedy and interpretation of songs, with a specialization in music theater and pop voices. Adult acting coach Jean Tait has worked as an actor and director in Off Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, regional theatre, cabaret, television, film and radio for more than 30 years. She specializes in audition prep and will be working with students to find new depth in monologues, while strengthening acting technique.
“Our fall adult programming is truly exciting, as it offers a forum to train in voice or acting in a private, personalized manner with no experience required. This is perfect for people who want to develop a new interest or hobby or improve their skills in the comfort of their own home, without the risk of embarrassment that can sometimes accompany in-person groups,” said Education Director Ron Shreve. “We are extremely fortunate to be partnering with Dorothy and Jean, who are both highly respected in their fields. Many people find that artistic expression has tremendous positive emotional benefits – which we can certainly all use right now.”

For children ages 7-16, Theatre Jacksonville is continuing its successful online Creative Connectivity for Kids classes, which received excellent feedback from summer participants. Each 10-week class costs $250 and begins the week of September 14. In addition to the Creative Connectivity classes, one-on-one virtual coaching for children and teens is available in vocal/musical theatre and acting/monologue, with instruction provided by Theatre Jacksonville experts.

Specific Creative Connectivity classes, which begin the week of September 14 include:
Tuesday Sessions, beginning September 15 – Stop Motion
Ages 9-11 from 4-5 p.m.; ages 12-16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Students will learn the detailed art of stop motion, utilizing technology and materials found at home. The week will begin with an introduction to animation, developing the basic and advanced tools and culminating in a finished stop-motion short of students’ own making.

Wednesday Sessions, beginning September 16 – Radio Play
Ages 7-10 from 4-5 p.m.; ages 11-16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Students will develop a unique story and from there be instructed how to utilize the materials in their home to create the soundscape of their tale. The Art and Sound of Storytelling introduces the tools of Foley artists, who provided the sound during old radio plays, as well as the movies of today.

Thursday Sessions, beginning September 17 – Acting Monologue
(Ages 7-10 from 4-5 p.m.; ages 11-16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
It takes a lot of work to brave the stage alone. It is a whole other world when you have to rely on partners. In this workshop, students will further hone their acting skills by learning to tell and expand their story beyond a duet or group scene. This class requires no previous experience.

“Our summer kid’s virtual classes were a huge hit, and the feedback from students and parents was wonderful so we decided to continue with this tried and true format. While Creative Connectivity programming is centered around virtual technology, each session is also designed to tap into creative engagement with many interactive tactile activities,” said Shreve. “We have been able to combine the best in distance learning with an innovative immersion in the crucial components of the theater – both seeing and doing.”

To register for adult one-on-one coaching sessions, virtual coaching for children or Creative Connectivity classes, visit www.theatrejax.com or call (904) 396-4425.

About Theatre Jacksonville

Theatre Jacksonville was founded in 1919 as The Little Theatre of Jacksonville, with the capital for the 1938 construction of the historic facility donated by Carl S. Swisher. It was reincorporated as Theatre Jacksonville in 1969 and named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Theatre Jacksonville has provided 100 years of uninterrupted community theater in Jacksonville.

Theatre Jacksonville’s mission is to enrich lives and broaden cultural understanding through community participation in theater arts. In addition to providing more than 100 performances each season of outstanding community theater featuring a regional cast of exceptionally talented playwrights, musicians, actors, designers and stagehands, Theatre Jacksonville reaches hundreds of students each year through summer camps, classes, field trips and in-school presentations.

Theatre Jacksonville also uses art to advance issues of local concern. From supporting veterans to nurturing arts and recreation, it fosters community partnerships to advance the culture, health, and well-being of Jacksonville. As Theatre Jacksonville anticipates its future, it also seeks to build a strong operational foundation to ensure that, just as endowed funds support the theater building, endowed funds will support theater operations. For more information or to donate, visit www.theatrejax.com.

About Dorothy Bishop
Dorothy Bishop is a graduate of Yale University with a Master’s Degree in Voice. She also received a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University. She has been on the faculty of the American Academy of Music and Drama (AMDA) in New York City since 2014.  Dorothy’s professional singing experience includes the First Broadway National Tour of Master Class by Terrance McNally starring Faye Dunaway.  Off Broadway, she was recently in the smash comedy hit Spamilton for 17 months. Dorothy headlined with her own pop opera show for 10 years on luxury cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2, The QE2, The Queen Victoria and Regent 7 Seas. She currently has her own long running hit, The Dozen Divas Show, at the Triad Theater in NYC, where she hilariously impersonates 12 different icons from Cher to Streisand to Gaga.
Dorothy specializes in music theater and pop voices and is very experienced in audition prep, comedy and interpretation of songs. Her experience of living and surviving NYC for over 20 years makes her an excellent mentor for young talent. For more information, visit www.dorothybishop.com.

About Jean Tait
Jean Tait is an acclaimed actor/director whose work has been seen Off Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, and in regional theatre, cabaret, television, film and radio. For Theatre Jacksonville, Jean Tait has directed Hello Dolly (starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans), Saving Grace, the award-winning Over the River and Through the Woods, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, the critically acclaimed Over the Tavern, Pack of Lies, Tsunami Tales and Steel Magnolias (starring Donna McKechnie, Pamela Myers, Sally Mayes and Emily Swallow), in addition to numerous musical reviews with Donna McKechnie, Amanda McBroom and Linda Purl. Most recently, for The Alternative Theater Company in New York City, Jean has directed The Audition, The Proceedings, 13 Seconds, It Gets Better, Come Back Miss Calliope, Pearly Gates and Hijab at First Sight.
Jean is an experienced teacher and coach specializing in audition prep and in helping performers find new depth in monologues and songs.