Cultivate creativity with new classes at Alys Stephens Center’s ArtPlay

Registration is open for a new fall session of classes at ArtPlay, the Alys Stephens Center’s home for arts education for all ages on the UAB campus.

artplay pianoArtPlay has announced new classes for the fall session, and registration is open now.

ArtPlay, part of UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, encompasses all of the Center’s community education initiatives, providing life-long learning through the arts to people of all ages, incomes and geographical areas.

With classes for every age group plus educational events for the whole family to enjoy, ArtPlay aims to connect the community with the arts. Private instruction is also available in a variety of instruments as well as group classes, all provided by local teaching artists. Class fees begin at $100; a $25 registration fee is waived for UAB family when registering by phone. Explore ArtPlay’s offerings by calling 205-975-4769.

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 16, all information on ArtPlay’s classes, activities and outreach programs will be accessible on the Alys Stephens Center’s home page, www.AlysStephens.org, as the ArtPlay website will merge into the Alys Stephens Center’s site. Look for the “Connect” section on the ASC site to explore ArtPlay’s many offerings and to register for classes.

Classes for pre-K include Me & You & Paint & Glue for children to create masterpieces; Act Your Age, which guides children through activities to awaken a child’s mind; Creative Wacky Wonders, which focuses on imagination and creativity; Together Making Music with fun, easy songs; Wiggle, Giggle, Dance & Sing to develop motor skills with silly songs and musical games; and Creative Movement to use imagination to bring stories and characters to life. Some classes are for children with a guardian, while others are intended for older children ages 3-5 years with their peers.

artplay painting 2Classes for elementary and middle school students include the ArtPlay and Theatre UAB Musical Theatre Workshop to explore musical theater, culminating in a trip to New York City; Acting Out Theatre Workshops guide participants through the basics of theater; sing and dance in Broadway style in Intro to Musical Theatre, in partnership with Red Mountain Theatre Company; A Visual Arts Journey for all skill levels; Ukulele Orchestra for Kids and Teens; and Comic, Character, Creation, learning the basics of cartooning.

Classes for high school students include the ArtPlay and Theatre UAB Musical Theatre Workshop; The Acting Studios for Young Actors in legendary Lee Strasberg’s design; Ukulele Orchestra for Teens; Comic, Character, Creation; Improvisational Comedy for Teens, featuring the fundamentals of long-form improvisation; Rhythm and Moves, influenced by street dance, new style and pop music, for ages 16-adult; Beginning Charcoal and Soft Pastels; Intermediate Hand-Sewing, focusing on fabric-folding, applique, Sashiko and textile techniques; and Machine Sewing: The Basics.

Classes for older teens and adults include Back to the Uke-ture for returning ukulele orchestra students; Get Up, Stand Up … Comedy, which guides class members on creating material and methods of delivery; Intermediate Hand-Sewing; and Machine Sewing: The Basics; The Acting Studios and The Acting Studios on Stage; Beginning Charcoal and Soft Pastels; The Art and Craft of Hand-Sewing; Beginning Bookbinding to make unique journals, sketchbooks or scrapbooks; Rhythm and Moves; and Memoir: Better Than Fiction, which will ask class members to generate and craft four personal stories.

ArtPlay teaching artists for this session’s classes include “Wacky Nanny” Alley Bulka, Mary Elizabeth Neal, Shannon Boswell, Theatre UAB Head of Musical Theatre Valerie Accetta, Darrell Revel, Daisy Winfrey, Bo Hughins, Susan McCain, Christopher Davis, Ashley Booker, Andy Jordan, Lillis Taylor, Trent Thomas and Tina Braziel.

For information on class registration and availability, call 205-975-4769.