Introducing our… Junior Acting Ensemble
There are so many reasons for kids aged 9-14 to take a theatre class. Firstly, it’s fun. A different way to learn. A release from the structured way of thinking they may be used to in school. But it also builds essential skills, as they work together to achieve goals, learn to communicate ideas effectively, discover the importance of thinking outside of the box, exercise their imaginations, develop social skills and engage with the world we live in through role play and performance.
But what exactly do pre-teens do in an acting class? They play – plunging into games that release creativity and free the imagination. They build story through improvisation, articulating ever more complex ideas. They build empathy with others, creating characters from scratch and integrating them into story. They tackle theatre texts, beginning with simple ones, and engaging with more complex language structure as time goes on. They learn to use their body more effectively as they take workshops in movement, mime, mask, clown and more. Finally, by building original performances together, they learn that they have a voice: what they do can impact others around them, both on and off the stage.
Theatre programs for ages 9-14 are similar in many ways to those for older students. They include technique, and explore vital performance skills. But young people approaching adolescence engage with their world in a unique and specific way. A well designed theatre program for this age group is not only about facilitating creativity and performance skills: it’s also about helping them to navigate an increasingly complex world – not as ‘consumers’ but as ‘creators’ and as stakeholders in the future.
If you have a child aged 9-14, consider enrolling them for our Junior Acting Ensemble, starting September 2017, but don’t delay – only 10 spots are available in this program.
For more information, see our acting class page at www.centauriartsacademy.com/acting-classes-for-teens.htm
Centauri Arts Academy is located in Bloor West Village, Toronto