Classes~Performances~Productions at The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute

	Drama is about a performer’s ability to risk, imitate, act, react, observe, analyze and interpret, as well as communicate character and action through his or her voice and/or body. The Drama Track focuses on developing these skills and the performer’s ability to engage the audience in a “moment of truth.” The Drama/Movement Track includes four level blocks that build the essential skills and tools needed for the actor to succeed in performance. Understanding of the creative arts used in theater production is also broadened. Students will be placed in a level block based on age and level of proficiency in movement, voice control, character development and script knowledge.

All classes require Fall and Winter/Spring Term enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Important Preparatory Division Dates and Attendance Policy
Fall Term: Drama Track: September 13–December 6 Fall Break: No classes November 23–29 Winter Recess: Institute closed December 21–January 3 Winter/Spring Term: Drama Track: January 24–April 18 Spring Break: No classes March 30–April 5 QUESTIONS? Call the Education Registrars Phone: (727) 712-2706

Attendance Policies: Students are expected to attend class each week. Fellow students’ development is affected when a classmate is absent because the majority of the work done in class is ensemble in nature. School conflicts for concerts, performances, etc. may be excused when advance written notice is given. Illness may be excused with advance notice by phone or email. In case of a family emergency, a call within 24 hours of the absence is requested. Should a student miss multiple classes for unacceptable reasons, the status of the student will change to class participation only and the student will not participate in the final performance or presentation.

INTERSESSION WORKSHOPS Preparatory Division students who are high school sophomores and above may choose to enrich their training with the following workshops. Each student will receive two free skill-building workshops for each track in which he or she is enrolled. Additional workshops may be attended for $50.00 each, which includes instructional materials and refreshments. Advance enrollment required.
FALL/WINTER-SPRING PREPARATORY 2008-09 CLASS SCHEDULE
Click here for a printable brochure.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION
DRAMA TRACK
The Drama Track includes four levels that build the essential skills and tools needed for the actor to succeed in performance and to prepare for further study.
The Hoffman Junior Thespians Comprised of Levels I and II: Drama These two levels work separately on skill building, then come together for rehearsals to create two performances, one in December and one in May.
Level I: Drama Ages: 7–9, Saturdays, 11:30 am–12:15 pm drama class; 12:15–1:30 pm performance building Tuition: $350.00 Script Fee: $25.99, including tax Instructor: Barry Hamilton Level I focus is on developing the skill sets, theater vocabulary and knowledge a young theater performer needs to sustain a performance, risk as a performer, develop in an ensemble art form, engage an audience, and grow as an artist through creative play, mime, pantomime, reading, and acting out familiar stories and characters. As the class and individual students progress, work begins on developing the actors’ physical abilities, character connection, emotional comprehension and listening and focusing skills. Continued work in creative play, mime, pantomime, storytelling and script reading is linked with monologue reading and writing and the use of creative acting improvisation techniques. Level II: Drama Ages: 10–12, Saturdays, 11:30 am–12:15 pm drama class; 12:15–1:30 pm performance building Tuition: $350.00 Script Fee: $25.99, including tax Instructor: Jared O’Roark Level II continues the development of skills covered in Level I while beginning the development of the student’s primary resources (the actor’s tool kit): the body, the mind, the voice and the imagination. It explores how these resources impact each other and the role each tool plays in the development of character creation, connection to setting, and listening and focusing skills. Further development of the ability to work in a collaborative ensemble will be linked with monologue reading and writing and scene work with a partner. Discovery of “truthful” characterization through the development of observation and imitation skills needed to portray period, age, physical traits and animal traits will lead to a new level of audience connection.
The Hoffman Players Comprised of Levels III and IV: Drama These two levels work separately on skill building, then come together for rehearsals to create two performances, one in December and one in May.
Level III: Drama Ages: 13–18, Saturdays, 9:00–10:00 am drama class; 10:00–11:30 am performance building Tuition: $400.00 Script Fee: $25.99, including tax Tuition includes instruction PLUS two Intersession Workshops Instructor: Ian Beck Level III further develops the actor’s physical skills through various techniques from the Alexander, Meyerhold, and Commedia dell’arte mask and body work. These techniques will be applied to the vocal and physical work of the singer/actor to assist in the creation of stronger and more truthful moments. By improving stance, status and physical expression, the student learns to communicate through performance more effectively and honestly. With the incorporation of music and storytelling, the application of these skills culminates in the writing of original performance pieces. Level IV: Drama Ages: 13–18, Saturdays, 9:00–10:00 am drama class; 10:00–11:30 am performance building Tuition: $400.00 Script Fee: $25.99, including tax Tuition includes instruction PLUS two Intersession Workshops Instructor: Barry Hamilton Level IV continues to develop the actors’ vocal and physical skills of expression while encouraging students to delve more deeply into understanding the role of the actor in professional theater. Students focus on the world of the playwright, learning to create truthful moments from a play. Class work focuses on the growth and skill development of each individual student through monologues and duets from both original written works and classic dramatic repertoire.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION
DRAMA/DANCE/VOCAL: MUSICAL THEATER
Musical Theater: An American Art Form A “triple threat” is a performer equally skilled in voice, dance and drama. Be a triple threat!! Musical theater classes bridge the Vocal and Drama Tracks. Ongoing training in both voice and drama is essential to becoming a triple threat. This can be achieved through class instruction and/or private lessons.
Musical Theater Cabaret: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber Prerequisite: Must be currently enrolled in advanced vocal or drama training at the Hoffman Institute, either in classes or private lessons. Ages: 13–18, Wednesdays, 5:30–7:00 pm Tuition: $300.00 Text Fee: $67.57, including tax Instructors: Edvard Crader, Bill Cusick Come join us as we enter the world of one of the most inspirational composers of all time, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, a leading Broadway composer/lyricist. Learn to identify Webber’s “musical thematic pattern" established in his first musical hit, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and utilized by Webber in each musical hit that followed. Edvard Crader, Broadway and National Tours artist, instructs and directs students in the masterworks of Webber such as Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Song and Dance, Sunset Boulevard and Jesus Christ Superstar. Dance for the Stage Prerequisite: Must be currently enrolled in the Vocal Track or Drama Track Ages: 14–18 years, Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00 pm Tuition: $270.00 Instructors: TBA Hone your skills as a dancer, from the graceful movements of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the crisp, controlled movements of Fosse. This course is sure to contribute to the “triple threat” in musical theater, which is so necessary in today’s demanding performance world. Bring dance styles together as this course explores the many musical shows that have been and are currently on the Broadway stage.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION
Intersession Workshops
Preparatory Division students who are high school sophomores and above may choose to enrich their training with the following workshops. Each student will receive two free skill-building workshops for each track in which he or she is enrolled. Additional workshops may be attended for $50.00 each, which includes instructional materials and refreshments. Advance enrollment required. Click here for a listing of Intersession Workshops.

Prep Guild list coming soon. You will need Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or higher in order to view this file. Need to download a free Adobe Acrobat?