|
Acting & Creativity Academy Spring 2011 FAQs All of Magik’s education programs are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) content standards for fine arts instruction. Since the TEKS are organized by grade levels (Kindergarten through 12), we organize our classes and workshops the same way. My first-grader is a natural performer. Can he participate in the Junior Rep
Company? Magik’s Academy classes focus not only on the ability of a child to demonstrate a particular theatre skill, but also on the developmental stages all children experience as they grow. We feel it’s important for children to learn and develop theatre skills with their grade-level peers, who will tend to be in the same general stages of social, physical, and emotional development. As for experience or natural ability, every class will show a range. We encourage children to learn from classmates with more experience, and to serve as role models for children with less exposure to theatre. This kind of cooperative learning environment benefits all children by giving everyone a stake in their educational success. “Cooperative” comes up a lot in your class descriptions. Why? Learning happens in all directions — so does teaching. After years of teaching theatre arts to kids, we know that we, as teachers, can learn as much from our students as they can learn from us. But when we talk about cooperative learning, we mean the things that our students can learn from each other. In a cooperative learning environment, children have opportunities to be both students of and teachers to their peers. Under the guidance of Magik’s professional teaching artists, this technique is particularly effective in helping young artists learn how to give and receive constructive feedback — skills essential in any learning situation. My fifth-grader is new to theatre. Can she enroll in Apprentice Rep Company even though she hasn’t done Junior Rep? Yes! Every class will show a range of student abilities and experience. At the beginning of each semester, older classes will briefly review skills taught in younger classes. Once students begin work on their production, teachers monitor student progress, stepping in to bolster the skills of new students while encouraging further development of more experienced students.
Why does Academy meet on Saturdays only? At Magik, our professional repertory company members are also our teachers. Not only do your children benefit from the experience of full-time working theatre artists, our actors, musicians, designers, and technicians expand their professional capacity to become teaching artists. Because we produce eight productions every season and perform those shows in the mornings, our company members must use weekday afternoons to rehearse upcoming productions. To ensure that your children get the best instruction possible, Academy meets on Saturday mornings.
Why does Junior Rep cost more than during the Fall 2011 semester? The Spring 2012 semester will offer three more class sessions than Fall 2011 did. In addition, each Rep Company class (grades 2–4, 5–8, and 9 –12) will focus on preparing a full production. Because full productions require more staff, equipment, and raw materials, we must charge accordingly. We do want to keep theatre classes affordable for families, so tuition for Junior Rep and Apprentice Rep will be $295 in Spring 2012, no higher than any course offered during the previous fall.
Then why is Teen Rep free of charge? The Magik Theatre believes strongly in the importance of arts education. As arts funding continues to be cut in schools, it's vital that we do our part to keep theatre in the minds and lives of all students. Teen Rep gives teens a safe environment to express themselves in creative and constructive ways – an opportunity that is quickly disappearing from our high schools. Secondary school music programs are still holding on and a musically-inclined teen may find his or her outlet in band, choir, or orchestra. But dedicated theatre programs for teens interested in acting are becoming rare. To ensure that teens take advantage of the opportunities inherent in Teen Rep, Magik is committed to offering it free of charge. PLEASE NOTE: ACADEMY TUITION, ONCE PAID IN FULL IS NON-REFUNDABLE and is due in full on the first day of class. Academy classes and times are subject to change. ACTING & CREATIVITY ACADEMY SPONSORED BY:
|
 REGISTERING IS EASY! Download and print a Fall 2011 registration form and mail or fax |
