Our Adult Musical Theatre Studio & Children's Theatre programs are production classes that require both a Fall and Spring session commitment to participate in the Spring productions (see class descriptions below). The Teen Theatre is split into two productions, Fall Drama and Spring Musical, and do not require participation in both. After casting, students will begin rehearsals to prepare for the shows in the Spring. Only under special circumstances and at certain times of the semester will exceptions be made to the full year commitment. Decisions are made at the discretion of MST&DA theatre department and will require proof of special circumstance (examples are: newly moved to the island, hospitalization, etc). Grade/age requirements must be met for each program.
Other non-production programs offered, Playmakers, Creative Play & Movement, Creative Drama, and Intro to Children's Theatre, do not require both Fall and Spring session commitments. Playmakers, Creative Play & Movement, Creative Drama, and Intro to Children's Theatre have an open class, informal production for family and friends.
Other non-production programs offered, Playmakers, Creative Play & Movement, Creative Drama, and Intro to Children's Theatre, do not require both Fall and Spring session commitments. Playmakers, Creative Play & Movement, Creative Drama, and Intro to Children's Theatre have an open class, informal production for family and friends.
Non-Production Theatre & Music Programs
Sing-A-Long with J FAD the RAD DAD, 0 - 4 yrs
Children will sing their favorite nursery rhymes and timeless tunes with J-Fad and his rockin' guitar. Parent/Caretaker participation is required and encouraged. Play, sing and dance with your children during this fun 45 minute class.
Musical Tales *NEW*, 0 - 4 yrs
Toddlers will journey to the land of fairytales with music, rhymes and rhythms. J-Fad the Rad Dad will bring favorite stories to life and students will explore dramatic storytelling through fun vocal and physical activities. Every class is jam-packed with live music played by J-Fad on his guitar and keyboard. This is the perfect age for imagining and acting out well-known characters! Classes have a well-rounded curriculum of singing, dancing, dramatization, creative play and story time!
Playmakers Toddler/Preschool Drama Program, 18 mos - 4 yrs
An innovative introductory theatre class for the youngest actors! Even at this age, your child’s imagination is blooming, ready to explore story-telling, acting, singing and dancing. We play theatre games, act out stories, try on costumes, learn songs and scenes and overall encourage creative self-discovery. Parent/Caretaker participation is required . Families and friends are invited to our open class theatrical celebration at the end of the session.
Creative Drama, Ages 4-6
Children develop creative abilities in a fun, non-competitive environment with pantomime, improv and imaginative story-work. Class readies students to move up into our Intro to Children's Theatre & Children's Theatre.
Special Moving Stories (available on request), Ages 4+
A class specially developed for students with special needs and disabilities. This class is to be taken with a caregiver/parent. Through storytelling and movement, students are encouraged to explore and express themselves in a supportive environment led by DOE special education teacher and early intervention therapist, Debra Orenstein. Class will focus on improving motor skills, muscle control, confidence, and socialization.
Intro to Children's Theatre, 1st grade and up
This class is an introduction to Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Musical Theatre, learn the basics including improv, theatre games, storytelling & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn excerpts from popular children's Broadway musicals. An open class performance will be at the end of the semester for invited guests.
ActorSpa™, Teen and Adult George Drance & Special Guests
Magis ActorSpa™ is a specially designed one-hour "spa treatment" for the actor. The actor's craft makes demands on the instrument: body, voice, soul. Magis ActorSpa™ offers a regular, comprehensive, integrated and affordable training program so that all of these components of the actors unique instrument remain in harmony. The training includes elements of Pilates & Alexander, Vocal Action, Plastiques & Biomechanics, and exercises for working with Heightened Text/ Heightened Energy that actors and teachers have found to be a clear, engaging way of joining these varied aspects actor's work and producing immediate results. No experience necessary. All levels welcome.
Production Theatre Programs
Children's Theatre, Age 8+ Kimbirdlee Fadner
Be part of Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Theatre experience. Learn the basics including improv, theatre games, basic scene study, storytelling & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Students choose Tuesday or Wednesday and attend for one hour in the Fall based on grade. Auditions for the Spring Children's musical will be held in November. Students are then cast into the Spring production and begin working on all aspects of a musical production (dance choreography, singing, line memorization, and acting) with a team of staff members, Director/Music Director/Assistant Director/Stage Manager/Choreographer. Rehearsals after casting could be any or all of the 5-7pm time frame on their chosen day of the week. You MUST be registered for the Fall session to be cast in the Spring musical. Tuition for the full year, Fall/Spring semester, is discounted when paid in full at the beginning of the Fall. Students perform in a musical production in the Spring.
Teen Theatre, Age 13+ Joan Marie Cusick (Fall)/Jackie Lucid-Cusick (Spring)
*Main rehearsal day is Wednesday from 7-9pm with additional call times on Monday's between 5-9pm for both shows*
Fall Drama Production: After introduction classes, students audition and begin rehearsals for the Winter Play Production scheduled for the end of January. Spring Musical Production: In December, students register and audition to begin rehearsals in January (Day TBA in January and Monday/Wednesday schedule as mentioned above after January) for the Spring Musical with a team of staff members, Director/Music Director/Assistant Director/Choreographer.
Tuition for the Fall/Spring productions are discounted when paid in full for both at the beginning of the Fall. Students may perform in one or both, a play and/or musical.
Adult Musical Theatre Studio Steven Eng
Did you know that Charles Dickens visited Roosevelt Island just before writing "A Christmas Carol?" Students rehearse every Thursday and Sunday for a brand new Musical Theatre developmental production inspired by "A Christmas Carol" - a reinvention of the traditional show and written by our very own Jonathan Fadner. Bring back the ghosts of Roosevelt Island in a show that is current and relevant to today's issues and our international RI community, while driving home messages of equality, human connection and compassion. Roles are designed with you in mind!
Students sing, act, and dance while developing a premier of a new musical! Beginning in the Fall, participants work with a team of staff members (Director, Music Director, and Composer) readying them for a holiday production. Registration for this class is only in the Fall. This is a popular class, so register early!
Adult Cabaret Guest Instructors
Discover new repertoire and rediscover your all-time favorites in our new Main Street Theatre Cabaret Class! Work with "show business" professionals and your cast mates to create a unique cabaret performance that weaves together song, improv, comedy, dance and scenes. All levels welcome. With the open format of this class, you will have a chance to bring your own stories to life by writing original songs or skits. Students will also have a chance to perform that song, scene, or monologue they always wanted to try from the limitless canon of Broadway, Hollywood, hit songs, and T.V.
Adult Improv Josh Shapiro
A theatre improv class that teaches thinking on your feet, comedic timing, and creating new and interesting situations on the fly. We play short form improv games that eventually lead to long form games. Lots of laughs included! No preparation needed, open to all levels.
Other Theatre Programs
Acting for Adults Mihaela Mihut
This class focuses on group exercises and scene work using The Method as developed in the Actors Studio by Lee Strasberg based on the work of Constantin Stanislavski. Method Acting, as learned and practiced by the instructor personally (as a member of the Actors Studio), has proven to work in many different classes, workshops and private instruction for actors and non-actors (lawyers, doctors, public speakers, marketing executives, etc). This technique when understood and taught in the proper way will benefit all involved giving a fresh perspective to your profession. The Method allows students to develop a new approach, away from their learned routine, using their own unique instrument. Through various exercises, students learn to make risky choices, allowing them the creation of exceptional work and characters, and inspiring them to find the surprising side of themselves, creating a deeper understanding of who they are, first as people, then as actors and characters. Great achievements of successful people are emboldened by the clear understanding and use of their physical and emotional experiences.
Sing-A-Long with J FAD the RAD DAD, 0 - 4 yrs
Children will sing their favorite nursery rhymes and timeless tunes with J-Fad and his rockin' guitar. Parent/Caretaker participation is required and encouraged. Play, sing and dance with your children during this fun 45 minute class.
Musical Tales *NEW*, 0 - 4 yrs
Toddlers will journey to the land of fairytales with music, rhymes and rhythms. J-Fad the Rad Dad will bring favorite stories to life and students will explore dramatic storytelling through fun vocal and physical activities. Every class is jam-packed with live music played by J-Fad on his guitar and keyboard. This is the perfect age for imagining and acting out well-known characters! Classes have a well-rounded curriculum of singing, dancing, dramatization, creative play and story time!
Playmakers Toddler/Preschool Drama Program, 18 mos - 4 yrs
An innovative introductory theatre class for the youngest actors! Even at this age, your child’s imagination is blooming, ready to explore story-telling, acting, singing and dancing. We play theatre games, act out stories, try on costumes, learn songs and scenes and overall encourage creative self-discovery. Parent/Caretaker participation is required . Families and friends are invited to our open class theatrical celebration at the end of the session.
Creative Drama, Ages 4-6
Children develop creative abilities in a fun, non-competitive environment with pantomime, improv and imaginative story-work. Class readies students to move up into our Intro to Children's Theatre & Children's Theatre.
Special Moving Stories (available on request), Ages 4+
A class specially developed for students with special needs and disabilities. This class is to be taken with a caregiver/parent. Through storytelling and movement, students are encouraged to explore and express themselves in a supportive environment led by DOE special education teacher and early intervention therapist, Debra Orenstein. Class will focus on improving motor skills, muscle control, confidence, and socialization.
Intro to Children's Theatre, 1st grade and up
This class is an introduction to Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Musical Theatre, learn the basics including improv, theatre games, storytelling & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn excerpts from popular children's Broadway musicals. An open class performance will be at the end of the semester for invited guests.
ActorSpa™, Teen and Adult George Drance & Special Guests
Magis ActorSpa™ is a specially designed one-hour "spa treatment" for the actor. The actor's craft makes demands on the instrument: body, voice, soul. Magis ActorSpa™ offers a regular, comprehensive, integrated and affordable training program so that all of these components of the actors unique instrument remain in harmony. The training includes elements of Pilates & Alexander, Vocal Action, Plastiques & Biomechanics, and exercises for working with Heightened Text/ Heightened Energy that actors and teachers have found to be a clear, engaging way of joining these varied aspects actor's work and producing immediate results. No experience necessary. All levels welcome.
Production Theatre Programs
Children's Theatre, Age 8+ Kimbirdlee Fadner
Be part of Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Theatre experience. Learn the basics including improv, theatre games, basic scene study, storytelling & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Students choose Tuesday or Wednesday and attend for one hour in the Fall based on grade. Auditions for the Spring Children's musical will be held in November. Students are then cast into the Spring production and begin working on all aspects of a musical production (dance choreography, singing, line memorization, and acting) with a team of staff members, Director/Music Director/Assistant Director/Stage Manager/Choreographer. Rehearsals after casting could be any or all of the 5-7pm time frame on their chosen day of the week. You MUST be registered for the Fall session to be cast in the Spring musical. Tuition for the full year, Fall/Spring semester, is discounted when paid in full at the beginning of the Fall. Students perform in a musical production in the Spring.
Teen Theatre, Age 13+ Joan Marie Cusick (Fall)/Jackie Lucid-Cusick (Spring)
*Main rehearsal day is Wednesday from 7-9pm with additional call times on Monday's between 5-9pm for both shows*
Fall Drama Production: After introduction classes, students audition and begin rehearsals for the Winter Play Production scheduled for the end of January. Spring Musical Production: In December, students register and audition to begin rehearsals in January (Day TBA in January and Monday/Wednesday schedule as mentioned above after January) for the Spring Musical with a team of staff members, Director/Music Director/Assistant Director/Choreographer.
Tuition for the Fall/Spring productions are discounted when paid in full for both at the beginning of the Fall. Students may perform in one or both, a play and/or musical.
Adult Musical Theatre Studio Steven Eng
Did you know that Charles Dickens visited Roosevelt Island just before writing "A Christmas Carol?" Students rehearse every Thursday and Sunday for a brand new Musical Theatre developmental production inspired by "A Christmas Carol" - a reinvention of the traditional show and written by our very own Jonathan Fadner. Bring back the ghosts of Roosevelt Island in a show that is current and relevant to today's issues and our international RI community, while driving home messages of equality, human connection and compassion. Roles are designed with you in mind!
Students sing, act, and dance while developing a premier of a new musical! Beginning in the Fall, participants work with a team of staff members (Director, Music Director, and Composer) readying them for a holiday production. Registration for this class is only in the Fall. This is a popular class, so register early!
Adult Cabaret Guest Instructors
Discover new repertoire and rediscover your all-time favorites in our new Main Street Theatre Cabaret Class! Work with "show business" professionals and your cast mates to create a unique cabaret performance that weaves together song, improv, comedy, dance and scenes. All levels welcome. With the open format of this class, you will have a chance to bring your own stories to life by writing original songs or skits. Students will also have a chance to perform that song, scene, or monologue they always wanted to try from the limitless canon of Broadway, Hollywood, hit songs, and T.V.
Adult Improv Josh Shapiro
A theatre improv class that teaches thinking on your feet, comedic timing, and creating new and interesting situations on the fly. We play short form improv games that eventually lead to long form games. Lots of laughs included! No preparation needed, open to all levels.
Other Theatre Programs
Acting for Adults Mihaela Mihut
This class focuses on group exercises and scene work using The Method as developed in the Actors Studio by Lee Strasberg based on the work of Constantin Stanislavski. Method Acting, as learned and practiced by the instructor personally (as a member of the Actors Studio), has proven to work in many different classes, workshops and private instruction for actors and non-actors (lawyers, doctors, public speakers, marketing executives, etc). This technique when understood and taught in the proper way will benefit all involved giving a fresh perspective to your profession. The Method allows students to develop a new approach, away from their learned routine, using their own unique instrument. Through various exercises, students learn to make risky choices, allowing them the creation of exceptional work and characters, and inspiring them to find the surprising side of themselves, creating a deeper understanding of who they are, first as people, then as actors and characters. Great achievements of successful people are emboldened by the clear understanding and use of their physical and emotional experiences.
Photos by Jon Tannen |
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