FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2010

Press Contact: Sarah Pressler
press@roundhousetheatre.org
240.644.1387

Explore the world of theatre with Round House’s

Summer Programs 2010

Sessions at locations in Silver Spring & Bethesda
1, 2, and 5-week classes for students of all ages, June 21 – August 27
5 new programs added to the lineup
301.585.1225 or roundhousetheatre.org

(BETHESDA, MD) – Again this summer, Round House Theatre is offering opportunities for students of all ages to experience the joy of creating and sharing theatre. Round House’s Summer Programs inspire creativity, exercise imaginations, promote artistic risk-taking, and explore the unique ways to tell stories through theatre. Round House’s professional teaching artists nurture students’ individual talents and artistic strengths in an environment of creative collaboration and ensemble building.

Summer Programs begin on June 21, 2010 and run through August 27, 2010 at conveniently located facilities in Bethesda and Silver Spring. One-, two-, and five-week sessions are available in a variety of areas. Unless otherwise noted, sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Round House introduces five new programs to the line-up this summer, including Musical Theatre Performance for students in grades 7 through 12. Musical Theatre Performance will culminate in public presentations of a fully staged musical at Round House Theatre Bethesda.

“At Round House, students learn about theatre in a fun, imaginative, supportive environment,” said Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison. “Led by a talented and experienced teaching staff, our diverse summer offerings meet the interests and ability levels of our participants – whether they are beginners looking to try something new or experienced theatre students looking to expand their skills.”

For additional information and tuition details, call Round House’s Education Center at 301.585.1225, click roundhousetheatre.org or email education@roundhousetheatre.org.

Round House Theatre’s Summer Programs and other education and outreach efforts are made possible through the generous support of these major contributors: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Data-Prompt, Inc., Gazette Newspapers/Post-Newsweek Tech Media, Jeffrey and Carolyn Leonard, Maryland State Arts Council, and the SULICA Fund. Proceeds from Round House Theatre’s annual Gala also support the education and outreach programs.

For Students in Grades K – 3

Summer Destinations
Every day students will go to a different “Destination” – from Outer Space to Under the Sea ‑ and create a new world through visual arts and creative dramatics. Students learn the building blocks of theatrical performance and design while creating and exploring the different Destinations. With dozens of different worlds to explore, students can register for multiple sessions and never visit the same place twice! Each session ends with an informal presentation by the students.
Dates: 10 one-week sessions, June 21 through August 27
Location: Round House Theatre Education Center

For Students in Grades 4 – 6

Improv
Energizes students to learn to think on their feet and work on creative collaboration to create improvised scenes and situations. A spontaneous, intensive good time! Important note: There is no difference in content or skill level between the June and July sessions.
Session 1 dates: June 21 – 25; 1 week
Session 2 dates: July 19 – 23; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Funky Fisticuffs
Serves as a fun and fantastic introduction to the art of hand to hand stage combat. In a safe environment, under the watchful instruction of a trained Fight Choreographer, students will learn the basics of falls, combat, and writing/creating a fight scene from scratch.
Dates: June 28 – July 2; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Acting for the Stage
Helps students develop their acting skills by learning to use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to create characters, explore dramatic texts, and perform on stage.
Session dates: July 2 – July 16; 2 weeks
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Musical Theatre Workshop
This new, exciting two-week program will help students begin training to become a “triple threat” performer. Students will develop their acting, singing, and dancing skills in ensemble musical numbers and have the opportunity to shine as an individual performer.
Session dates: July 26 – August 6; 2 weeks
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Clowning & Comedy
Allows students to explore the art and fun of clowning and physical comedy. From Commedia dell’arte to pratfalls to stand-up, this class is perfect for the comic in training.
Session dates: August 9 -13; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Theatre Adventures
Allows students to put their own spin on the art and adventure of storytelling. Activities include fracturing classic fairytales, bringing classic adventure tales to life, and writing and acting out adventure stories of their own.  .
Session dates: August 16 – July 20; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

Theatrical Grab-bag
This “best of” session combines the most fun activities and games from the summer’s different classes. It’s perfect for both new and returning campers to explore old favorites as well as gain new experiences in performance.
Session dates: August 23 – 27; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Silver Spring

For Students in Grades 7 – 12

Improvisation and Physical Comedy
Teaches teens to create physically-based characters and react spontaneously on stage. This class will encourage students to think creatively, work collaboratively, take risks, make strong performance choices, and leave the audience in stitches. Students will perform a showcase of improvised and devised scenes for family and friends.
Session dates: June 21 – 25; 1 week
Location: Round House Theatre Bethesda

Musical Theatre Performance
This new program takes teens from auditions to a weekend of public shows on our stage. Under the guidance of professionals in the field, students will gain skills in acting, singing, and dancing while rehearsing and performing The Who’s TOMMY. Peter Townsend’s tale of a young boy’s journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in a theatre, featuring such songs as Pinball Wizard. This culminates with a weekend of public performances on the Round House Theatre Bethesda stage.
Session dates: June 28 – August 1; 5 weeks
Location: Round House Theatre Bethesda

For Adults (16 years & up)

Actor’s Craft
Adult students explore a variety of approaches, techniques, and views of acting with our professional teaching artists. Participants will learn a vocabulary and skill set for creating and performing through improvisation, monologue, and scene study. Students build self-confidence, improve public speaking skills, increase flexibility, and enhance creative problem-solving ‑ gaining skills that are transferable to the workplace. Culminates in a showcase of material worked on in class for family and friends.
Session dates: July 6 – July 29, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Round House Theatre Education Center

EZ Care: Before and After Care Solutions

EZ Care is available for all programs for students in grades K – 6. Before Care is available from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at Round House’s Education Center in Silver Spring. After Care is available from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and is provided at the Education Center as well.

EZ Care is available for an additional fee. EZ Care can be purchased at anytime by calling 301.585.1225 or at the program site.

Location and registration information

Round House Theatre Bethesda is located at 4545 East-West Highway (at Waverly Street), one block from the Bethesda station on Metro’s Red Line.

Round House Theatre Silver Spring is at 8641 Colesville Road (next to the AFI Silver Theatre).

Round House Theatre’s Education Center is located at 925 Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring.

For additional program information and tuition details, call the Round House Theatre Education Center at 301.585.1225, click roundhousetheatre.org or email education@roundhousetheatre.org.

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