6TH-8TH GRADE
ADVANCED PROGRAM 2023-24
Entry into this class is by Audition only.
Class Info
Who: 6th - 8th graders: This 2024-25 class is for dedicated, advanced students by audition only. This is the “varsity” team- the drama die-hards will join this class- the ones willing to work at home in between rehearsals to enhance their acting skills, to step out of their comfort zones with their peers, to support each other enthusiastically, to more formally prep an audition for their role and who are eager to elevate our show game. These students will work with working professionals who know their field well and expect full cooperation. Students will be given more responsibility in this process- their emails will be part of the email group, they need to respond when information is requested, they need to talk to Caroline if they will miss a rehearsal.
Led by Caroline, kids will also have the opportunity to work with other theater professionals in scene study, vocals and dance.
What: Acting technique and musical theater performance. Please consider our class like practicing an instrument- our class is a lesson each week and the student practices at home on their own separately. A lot is expected of our advanced middle school thespians - it is no longer just a fun after school extra curricular at this stage, but a place for kids to improve their abilities. The first 7 weeks students will dig into becoming a better actor through Scene Study. They’ll have a two to four person scene to rehearse at the start of the year which culminates in a Scene Night for an audience.
Where: 2800 SE Harrison St; Saint David of Wales Parish Hall
When: Thursdays; 4:15 - 6:15pm; August 29th to March 16th PLUS TWO MANDATORY full day Saturday evenings in March ‘24 and show weekend. SEE BELOW
Scene Night: Thursday October 10th at 7pm. Your child must be available and perform in Scene Night to participate.
Performances planned for between March 13-16, 2025.
How much: $800
REFUNDS: We will refund minus a $35 admin fee up to one week before class begins. Because this is an audition-based class for experienced, returning students who know what to expect there are no refunds once class has started. We may refund if we decide that it is not a right fit and excuse the student from class/production (this means the student has not lived up to our pledge and work ethic in advanced drama).
A note from Caroline-
My creating an audition-only advanced program does not mean I think my techniques/shows are superior to other programs. There are tons of ways to learn about theater and we are lucky to live in a town with a lot of options for fun and learning in theater for kids.
But now that PDC has been going strong for 8 years I have many older kids who are returning. Too many to fit into one program. Actually, too many to fit into two programs - it didn't seem right that the fastest parent to register “wins” the spot in an advanced program.
Just like try outs for any sport, making the decision to try club soccer, or advancing up a level in swimming, the PDC advanced program is for returning PDC students who already have basic theater skills, know how to apply them to their work on the stage, have a proven track record of showing up, being supportive and working hard and have the desire to become a better actor. They are not only joining drama as child care or to just be with their friends. There is a shorthand to the program that kids who have been with me know. They know my expectations for hard work. They know how to pace out their rehearsing at home to be prepared at show time. They know -and have applied- our basic Actor Checklist to their work in Scene Study and to whatever roles they’ve been given in previous shows. Some kids have been with PDC since kindergarten: in summer camps, after school programs, workshops and in online shows - somewhere around 15 - 20 shows for many!
Parents often tell me “my child has been watching their friend on stage for the past few years and is finally ready to give it a try.” YES! I think that’s awesome. It takes guts to put yourself out there and say yes. While I know they want to be in it with their experienced friends, they will have a much better time joining at the level which best suits their experience. Unfortunately, I’ve seen new kids who come in to an experienced group and quit despite my and their parent’s best efforts to encourage them to stick with it. They feel lost, overwhelmed, or unprepared. It isn’t fair to throw a child into the deep end before they know how to swim. When kids quit it effects the dynamic of the group (sometimes it requires a lot more juggling of casting to fill their spot, they leave a scene partner without a partner, etc).
Wanting to be in drama to just be with our friends and have fun is a perfectly good reason to join drama club! Kids should try all sorts of activities to see if they like it! Our open-enrollment programs are not just for kids who want to continue on with theater and acting in high school and beyond. They are for teaching kids life skills through theater, for focusing our energies and for taking silliness seriously! Theater teaches the “soft skills” we need in life to be successful in anything we pursue. Theater is social emotional learning. Theater is for everyone.
I’m excited about the future of PDC with more staff, locations and opportunities for play and learning on stage! Hopefully registration day won’t be such a stressful time as we open up space for more kids on different registration days.
Stay tuned for even more opportunities as we grow!
-Caroline