Fall 2023 Class Offerings

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

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Musical Theatre 

A theatre performance class that culminates in a performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical JV. is being organized by talented Emma Philpot who has grown up on the Palace Theatre stage.  The class is designed for ages 8-16 and will be held on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 starting September 19. Each week students will rehearse for the show, along with learning different aspects about musical theater.  The final performance will be held on Saturday, December 2 at 2pm. 25 students will have the opportunity  to be part of this hilarious and heartwarming show that is a classic for all ages. “We are so fortunate to have Emma working with us. She has successfully directed several children’s shows and was very helpful this past summer during  Annie Jr.  Emma has performed on the stage with us many times over the years, most recently in Mary Poppins and the one act play, The Happy Journey Journey to Trenton and Camden” said Executive Director Clelia Sheppard.

 

Hip-Hop | Creative Movement

Trained dancer Lucy Watkins, also a product of the Arts Enter program, will be teaching Hip Hop to students between the ages of 8-16. Hip Hop is the pinnacle of self-expression. Classes include warm up, moving across the floor, style explorations (popping, locking, waving, gliding, etc.), and freestyle circles. These classes are for dancers who like self-expression and physical challenges, Lucy has been a solo dancer in many  productions on the Palace Theatre stage and has also performed both on the shore and in Hampton Roads.  The class will meet on Mondays from 6-7 pm.

 

To foster the love of dance in the younger children, Lucy is beginning a Creative Movement class for 5-6 yr. olds.Creative Movement develops coordination and self-expression through simple dance movement and music. This class uses a wide variety of music, props, and balancing techniques. The class will meet on Mondays form 5-6 p.m.

 

Movement for Musical Theatre

On the Stage, is taught by veteran instructor Amy Watkins.  Stage direction, movement, presentation and finesse make the stage come alive!  The class meets on Monday from 5-6pm and stretches students’ skills while helping them to move in the studio and stage space. It is a great way to gain comfort on the stage and to increase dance and theatre language directed movement skills.

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Stretch & Move | Tap | Adult Ballet | Floor Work

Stretch & Move with Mara Ifju for adults will  continue on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00am - 10:00am.  Mara’s popular class is designed to be a drop in class and is held year round. Stretching makes it possible for the body to move more freely, more smoothly, more naturally at any age.  In this class the movements are done in sitting, lying, standing and in  traveling positions. These movements are designed to improve breathing, to enhance circulation, increase joint mobility, flexibility and  muscular strength.  The class on Tuesday is followed by Adult Tap Dance Lessons with Lisa Brasch from 10:15am - 11:15am. Adult tap class makes for great exercise. Helps tone the body while enjoying music and movement while stimulating the mind with rhythmic sounds. Tapping improves physical function and well being. Lisa will add a Beginner tap class for adults on Thursdays from 6-7 and a class for  younger beginners from 5-6 on Thursdays. Mara teaches an Adult Ballet/Tap/Floor work class for adults from 10:15-12 on Thursdays.

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Piano & Voice Lessons

Megan Cartwright  has taught private piano and voice at Arts Enter for several years and has also directed many musicals on the Palace Theatre Stage.  She is a choral director, performer, and music teacher and most recently starred in Mary Poppins. Megan  is a graduate of James Madison University and holds a Masters of Music Education from Boston University.  She taught for many years  in public schools and  now teaches music for ArtsEnter, Eastern Shore's Own Arts Center and Broadwater Academy  Mrs.Cartwright  is also the director of the newly formed Shore Singers, a chorus for adults. 

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Guitar

In addition to private piano lessons with choral director, performer, and music education teacher Megan Cartwright,  Jack Holloday will join the Arts Enter team with guitar  and general music lessons. Jack has four years of formal training at Berklee College of Music. He is from the Eastern Shore and has been playing music for 18 years, studying earnestly for 9. Classes focus on playing guitar in the student’s chosen style. If the student does not have a style in mind then Jack will  start from the ground up. Beginning with basic mechanics of the instrument as well as fundamentals such as tuning, playing in time, chords, etc. After establishing a chosen style the student  will learn songs. Basic ear training and theory will be integral to teaching but will not be the central element unless the student decides they want to make it a focus. Classes start on Monday, Sept. 11 and one hour lessons will be scheduled from 3-8. Classes are appropriate for ages 10 and up.