Metropolitan Performing Arts
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Spring Classes Schedule
April - June 2020

All spring classes are online via ZOOM! 
ENROLL HERE

ACTING TECHNIQUE

Acting fundamentals (Voice & Movement) Ages 7-12 
​WEDNESDAYS 5:30pm-6:25pm
Taught by Kristin Heller
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 
Showcase: Thursday, June 11th 

In this class students will develop voice production and speech using techniques that allow the freeing of one’s natural voice. Through class exercises, monologues and poetry students will focus on the skills needed for projection, breathing, relaxation, articulation, and language. Some dialect will be studied if there is time. ​
ACTING FUNDAMENTALS (SPEECH & TEXT) AGES 12-18
​WEDNESDAYS 4:30pm-5:25pm
Taught by Jeffrey Puukka
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 
Showcase: Thursday, June 11th 

​Integrating voice, body, text and acting techniques students will explore a dynamic use of pitch, intonation, rhythm, rate, volume, pause and intensity to create a voice that is exciting and expressive. Students interested in auditioning for summer in the park shows are highly encouraged to take this class! This is a continuation class. When enrolled, students are encouraged to take this class all 3 terms of the school year. 
acting fundamentals (teen conservatory) ages 14-18
WEDNESDAYS 6:30pm-7:25pm
​Taught by Jeffrey Puukka
​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 

Auditions: April 9th at 6:00pm

Rehearsals on THURSDAYS 5:00pm-8:00pm
April 16th, 23rd, 30th
May 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th 

Performances:
May 29th, 30th &  June 6th at 6pm
May 31st & June 7th at 2pm

This is the third session of a 3-part acting class for highly committed teens. Acting 1 and Acting 2 are open to all teens interested in exploring the tools needed to become a professional actor. Acting 3 is an audition only performance class. Students interested in being part of this performance class are highly encouraged to take Acting 1 and Acting 2, as they lay the foundation and technique required for the performance. Students should know that this acting class series is actor forward with emphasis on the actors ACTING. 

The show being performed is "Bang Bag You're Dead" written by William Mastrosimone. The plot focuses on Josh, a high school student who murders his parents and five classmates. It is strongly based on the events surrounding Kip Kinke's shootings of his parents on May 20, 1998, and 27 of his classmates at Thurston HS in Springfield, OR.  on May 21, 1998.
ACTING LAB for ADULTS 18+
WEDNESDAYS 7:45PM-9:30PM
Taught by Jeffrey Puukka
​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 

Intended for actors with some previous exposure, the goal of this class is to help the actor you
are become a more effective technician. Through group and solo activity, exercises, and
challenges, this weekly class offers a laboratory and safe environment for actors to investigate,
experiment, and receive support in the following areas:

Text analysis and scene study: Getting inside the script and serving its needs.

Seeing: Working with stakes and tactics on your feet—finding, using, and revealing urgency.

Attention, Openness, and Responsivity: Exploring and expanding the links between your
empathy, imagination, body, voice, and the centers of responsivity to improve your expressive
prowess during cold readings and scene-work with partners.

Boundary Work: It isn’t always easy to detach and switch things off. What steps can we take to
walk away from characters and collaborators smoothly, respectfully and healthily when the work is done?

Discover, pose, and explore questions that nag you about your own acting habits. Get up on
your feet, get out of your head, and into the room!

Requirements: Ages 18 and older. Memorization of material presented in lab is crucial, and therefore expected.

DANCE TECHNIQUE

Dance classes may have additional costs for proper class attire and dance shoes. 
MUSICAL THEATER DANCE AGES 6-10
TUESDAYS 4:00pm-4:55pm
​Taught by Shannon Jung
April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
June 2nd, 9th 

Learn proper dance technique while exploring the various dance styles used in Broadway shows. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with Broadway style jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. Emphasis will also be placed on learning performance skills such as connecting with the audience and telling a story through dance and facial expressions. For beginners. No previous experience necessary.
JAZZ 2   AGES 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 6:30pm-7:25pm & SATURDAYS 9:00am-9:55am
Taught by Kemba Shannon
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 
Showcase: Saturday, June 13th 

SATURDAYS 9:00am-9:55am
Taught by Kemba Shannon
April 11th, 18th, 25th
​May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
June 6th, 13th 

Students will learn the fundamentals of jazz technique such as isolation's of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Classes include proper warm ups, stretches, isolation's, across-the-floor progressions, combinations and choreography. As students progress through each level, curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate. Prerequisite Jazz 1/2 with Kemba Shannon or 2+ years experience at a dance studio. ​
JAZZ 3    AGES 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 7:30pm-8:25pm & SATURDAYS 10:00am-10:55am
Taught by Kemba Shannon
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th 
Showcase: Saturday, June 13th 

SATURDAYS 10:00am-10:55am
Taught by Kemba Shannon
April 11th, 18th, 25th
​May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
June 6th, 13th 

Students will learn the fundamentals of jazz technique such as isolation's of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Classes include proper warm ups, stretches, isolation's, across-the-floor progressions, combinations and choreography. As students progress through each level, curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate. Prerequisite Jazz 2/3 with Kemba Shannon or 3+ years experience at a dance studio. ​

PERFORMANCE

OFF BROADWAY (HARRY POTTER) AGES 8-18
TUESDAYS 5:45PM-7:45PM
Taught by Kristin Heller and Willow Swanson
April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
June 2nd, 9th 
Performances: June 10th, 11th & 13th 

Off Broadway gives students the opportunity to work on the three essential disciplines that make up musical theater performance- singing, dancing and acting. Students will rotate through these classes in groups of same aged peers.  Each group will learn one dance, one song and one scene from "Harry Potter" and conclude the semester with three final performances. ​
​MUSIC TECHNIQUE
music fundamentals (duets) aGES 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 4:30pm-5:25pm
Taught by Kristin Heller
​​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th

This class is for students who understand the fundamentals of vocal technique. Students will dive deeper into the foundation tools for beautiful vocalization and harmony singing by learning duets. Students will continue to grow diction, resonance, ear training, pitch, melody and confidence.
private lessons (voice or piano) all ages
10 weeks
April 7th-June 12th 

Enroll and then email Barbara at exec.director@metropolitanperformingarts.org to sign up for a half hour or hour time slot.

TUESDAYS with Kristin Heller (vocal or piano)
3:15PM-3:45PM- filled
3:45PM-4:15PM- open
4:30PM-5:00PM- filled
5:00PM-5:30PM- filled

WEDNESDAYS with Kristin Heller (vocal or piano)
3:15PM-3:45PM- filled
3:45PM-4:15PM- filled
6:30pm-7:00pm- filled
7:00pm-7:30pm- filled
7:30pm-8:00pm- filled
8:00pm-8:30pm- filled

FRIDAYS with Kristin Heller
3:00pm-3:30pm - open
​3:30pm-4:00pm - open
4:00pm-4:30pm - open
4:45pm-5:15pm - open
5:15pm-5:45pm - open
5:45pm-6:15pm - open
6:30pm-7:00pm - open
7:00pm-7:30pm - open
7:30pm-8:00pm - open


​Weekly one-on-one half hour or hour private lessons working on the fundamentals of good singing. Students will work on proper breath, support, posture, correct tone, placement of sound, vocal range, vocal breaks, projection, endurance and vocal control. Private lessons help students gain skill and confidence as a solo singer. Whether you plan on singing in a musical, at church, in choir or star in your own YouTube channel, lessons take your voice to the next level.
For beginner, intermediate or advanced. Kids, teens and adults.

Learn how to play the piano. Weekly one-on-one half hour or hour lessons working on proper piano technique. Music counting, theory, good hand and finger position, interpretation and ways to practice effectively are all covered. Private lessons, one on one with a teacher, help students gain skill and confidence in a musical instrument.

SPECIALTY

special effects makeup design 1 ages 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 6:30PM-7:25PM
Taught by Pip Kennedy
​​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th

Additional $75 makeup kit fee. Beginner class, no previous experience necessary. 

Explore beginning theatrical makeup design and techniques on how to apply these designs. Students will cover looks like cuts, bruises, mermaids, zombies, corrective makeup and more!
SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP DESIGN 2 AGES 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 4:30PM-5:25PM
Taught by Pip Kennedy
​​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th

Additional $50 makeup fee for extra supplies. Intermediate Class. Prerequisite makeup design 1. 

Explore more advanced theatrical makeup design and techniques on how to apply these designs. More info coming soon!
MUSICAL THEATER AUDITION AGES 10-18
WEDNESDAYS 5:30PM-6:25PM
Taught by Barbara Richardson
​​April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th

Focusing on the preparation of audition pieces for musical theatre.  Students will learn how to pick songs appropriate for their age, range and the production. Students will perform in class, learning the techniques involved in song interpretation. A mock audition will take place the last week of the semester. Students will walk away with an audition repertoire of 3-5 contrasting songs.  ​This class is highly recommended for students interested in being part of the musical theater program. 
LIGHTING DESIGN   AGES 10-18
TUESDAYS 6:30pm-7:25pm
​Taught by Michael Burris
April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
June 2nd, 9th ​

What People are Saying About MPA

"I am so impressed with Metropolitan Performing Arts! We have had such a great experience in working with them each year. Barbara Richardson has been so helpful in making sure that our daughter was getting the best of care. I also really appreciate the high quality level of costumes and props and imagination that are put into the Harry Potter LARP camps and also the performances we've seen during the years. The acting examples of the teachers and of the older students speaks well of the quality of teaching that my daughter is getting. I feel very fortunate that we have found this academy. And best of all our daughter just loves coming! We wouldn't miss it! In a day and age when money is tight, we feel it is money well spent." - Emily Ihasz

"Metropolitan Performing Arts is a wonderful performing arts school for children. The instructors are knowledgeable, encouraging, and kind. Their classes, events, and camps engage young people." - Kristin Nordberg

​"My daughter has been taking classes and performing with Metro for about a year and nothing makes her happier than being a part of this group. She has gained confidence and skills and has enjoyed every minute. She feels welcome and supported and encouraged by the warm and caring and talented staff. Metro is her "happy place." -Alia Woolfe Walsh

"My son has been with MPA since he was in 3rd grade. He came to me one day and said, "Mom, I want to be on stage." It is so amazing that there is a place like Metropolitan Performing Arts in our community to provide access to the arts for kids of all ages. Not just access, but QUALITY, authentic theater training, and classes. You've brought the passion out for my son. Thank you!​" - Gail Moore
​
"Great program for kids. My daughters have learned so much about being in a show. From auditioning to take down a set and everything in between. Great teachers and great environment!" -Cristina Kennington

"My kids have been taking lessons and performing with this group for years. While always mostly happy with things in the past, after recent changes to staff and programming, we are super happy. Amazing tap and jazz teachers and some really fun acting teachers. My kids have learned so much at MPA."-Kristie Gebhard

"
We found Metropolitan Performing Arts by chance when I was looking for summer activities for my daughter. She loved it and now two years later being a part of the Metro Family has been such an amazing experience for us all. She has learned so much about singing, acting & dance. The productions are phenomenal, the instructors are passionate & make classes so fun for the kids. The friendships she has made and the confidence she has gained from taking part in shows & classes in these two years are priceless. Highly recommend for anyone with kids looking to find their niche in the performing arts!" - Joanna Connelly

"Life changing experience for my daughter! There has been a dramatic improvement in her grades at school and her drive to succeed in other areas of life since joining."- Melissa Galland

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(360)-975-1585

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  • Home
  • About
    • Contact | Directions >
      • Dining
      • Theatre Etiquette
    • Mission | Vision | Values
    • Staff | Board
    • Costume | Prop Rentals
    • Free Theater in the Park
    • Re-Imagined Radio
    • Audition
    • Past Productions
  • Calendar
  • Education
    • Classes >
      • Winter 2021
      • Musical Theater Program (MTP)
    • Camps | Workshops
    • Private Lessons
    • Instructors
    • Financial Assistance
  • Shows | Events
    • Affairs of the Heart
    • Cooped Up Cabaret
  • Support Us
    • Donate | Sponsor
    • Support While You Shop
    • Our Sponsors
    • Scholarship Fund
    • Volunteer