We offer classes and workshops for youth and adults at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center; afterschool programs, book-in visits, and assemblies at your school site in theater-related disciplines.
We are proud to offer classes and workshops at the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center as part of our participation in the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium. See below for information on our fall 2010 offerings for youth and adults, starting in late September at the library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.
Stage Combat | Playshop | Literary Society | Circus Arts | Register online
Stage Combat
Instructor: Carla Pantoja
Grades 6–8
Wednesdays, 3:30–4:30pm
October 27, Nov 3, 10, 17
$20 per class or $60 for all four
From Mercutio and Benvolio to Macbeth and Macduff the great stage fights of Shakespeare are always a thriller. Bay Area Fight Choreographer and Educator, Carla Pantoja, will lead this introductory class on the etiquette and basics of stage fights. Students will explore and develop the essential skills necessary for performing safe, effective stage combat in armed and unarmed fight disciplines. Previous experience not required.
Playshop
Instructor: TBA
Grades 3–5
Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30pm
October 5–Nov 23
$250 per student
In this class, students delve into Shakespeare’s famous play, developing acting, voice, movement, and text skills as they prepare to perform scenes from Much Ado About Nothing. Designed for young actors with some familiarity with Shakespeare, students will have fun and be challenged as they continue to discover Shakespeare's characters through the original text, culminating in a performance for friends and family.
Literary Society
Instructor: Philippa Kelly
Adults
Tuesdays, 7pm–9pm
Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, and 9
Cal Shakes is excited to announce the return of the Literary Society but with a twist! In four classes you’ll delve into the world of Shakespeare’s tragedies with the help of Cal Shakes veteran dramaturg, Philippa Kelly. This isn’t just a class—it’s a space to examine the plays from textual and production perspectives through discussion, study, and socializing. Wine and Cheese to be served at each class
Circus Arts
Instructor: Ben Johnson
Grades K–3
Saturdays, 10–11am
November 6, 13, and 20
$20 per class or $50 for all three
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages… step right up! This class pries open the big trunk and encourages you to dive into a smorgasbord of circus skills: juggling; tumbling; partner acrobatics; clowning; hat moves; equilibrium; lions, and tigers, and bears (well, actually not). Satisfy your curiosity—take a stab at learning a little bit of everything. Find a favorite and get focused, or stay broad and sample it all. Whatever you choose, don’t pass up this opportunity to run away with the circus!
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Register for classes here.
The online application process takes approximately 15 minutes to complete; if you are unable to complete the application in one sitting, you can save your work and come back to it as needed.
Browser requirements: PC users should use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox; Mac users must use Mozilla Firefox.
Cal Shakes uses a third-party vendor for its online registration process; if you require technical assistance with the online form, please call 866-433-4548. For all other questions call the Cal Shakes Artistic Learning department at 510.809.3293 or email learn@calshakes.org.
Join Cal Shakes after school! Our programs take place on your Bay Area school’s campus and offer six-to-15-week sessions focusing on acting, improvisation, Shakespeare, and/or any other theatrical discipline you might like for your students.
We offer many kinds of after school programs. Here are some examples of our classes; please call or email sfryer@calshakes.org to schedule.
Storybook theater (recommended for grades K-2)
There's a lot to be learned from a children's story–how to be nimble and quick enough to jump over a candlestick; how to, like the three little pigs, learn from experience and work together; and much, much more. Each week in Storybook Theater, students explore and experience a new story from around the world, building skills in acting, ensemble, movement, and creative problem solving while bringing literature to life.
Recommended: eight one-hour sessions.
Acting/performance workshop (recommended for elementary & middle school)
Students explore their imagination in Cal Shakes’ Acting/Performance Workshop. In this class, students will transform themselves into a variety of characters while learning acting fundamentals and theatrical skills, improving their capacity for vocal expression and physicality. They will also work as an ensemble towards a final production (play TBD). Using scenes from contemporary playwrights, our budding actors will learn lines, explore improvisation and other theater games, and discover how to best tap into their creativity.
Recommended: 10 one-hour sessions.
Intro to Shakespeare (recommended for grades 3-5)
In this class, students explore acting basics through the lens of one of the greatest playwrights of all time. In addition to theater games, young actors will learn how to break down Shakespeare’s language, practice basic stage combat techniques, and rehearse and perform scenes. Families are invited to fill the role of enthusiastic audience for a final presentation.
Recommended: 10 one-hour sessions.
Intermediate Shakespeare (recommended for grades 6-8)
In this class, middle-school students delve more deeply into Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Developing acting, voice, movement, and text skills, students will apply their work performing scenes from Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Designed for young actors with some familiarity with Shakespeare, students will have fun and be challenged as they continue to discover Shakespeare's characters through the original text, culminating in a performance for friends and family.
Recommended: 10 one-hour sessions.
Samantha Fryer, Artistic Learning Administrations Manager
510.548.3422 x105 or sfryer@calshakes.org