August 9, 2010

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Center education and outreach initiative has a new name, ArtPlay, and is offering new theater programs for students of all ages.

"Make It Happen" Performing Ensemble auditions

High school students are invited to audition for a performance-based program in conjunction with Make It Happen Theatre Company, in which students will attend weekly theater classes and rehearsals that will culminate in a performance, "Extraordinary Americans Who Happen to be..." This performance will be researched, written and performed by the student participants as part of the ASC Kids' Club series. Auditions will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Students should prepare a one-minute monologue and 16 bars of a song, a cappella.  For complete details call 205-934-6012 or e-mail heathmix@uab.edu.

Acting Out Theater Workshop for children ages 7-14

UAB's Alys Stephens Center will present an Acting Out Theatre Workshop for children ages 7-14. The nine-week experience will take place from 10 a.m. to noon each Saturday Sept. 25-Nov. 20, 2010. The workshop shares with children the mechanics of acting and performance. Participants will learn theater games, improvisation, warm-up and concentration exercises, voice and diction, theatre terminology, character development and minimal musical theater basics through a variety of fun, yet intense classes. Best of all, the children will get a chance to showcase their newly developed skills when the workshop culminates with a showcase production open to all parents and friends. The classes are programmed for students who are seriously interested in performance, as well as for those who just want to have fun. The cost is $150.

Beginning Acting for Adults Workshop

Join ASC teaching artists for the Alys Stephens Center's second beginning-acting workshop for adults. Throughout the 10-week course, students will learn the basics of acting including theater terminology, voice and diction, improvisation, character development and more, through acting games, lessons and exercises. Participants will even come away from the class with their very own prepared monologue for auditions. A showcase performance for all participants is scheduled at the end of the 10 weeks. The beginning acting classes will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. each Monday Sept. 13-Nov. 15, 2010. Cost is $150.

Intermediate Acting for Adults Workshop: Scene Development

This adult acting class will focus primarily on scene development. Students will be able to build on their basic foundation and further develop their technique, learn how to establish realistic relationships with a scene partner, how to work with a director and how to use positive expectations to achieve a goal. Students will rehearse and perform full-length scenes that will explore the depth of great acting for a culminating showcase open to supportive family and friends. Classes will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday Sept. 15-Nov. 17, 2010. Cost is $150.

UAB's Alys Stephens Center is located at 1200 10th Ave. South. For details or to register for workshops, call 205-934-6012 or e-mail heathmix@uab.edu.

About UAB's Alys Stephens Center

The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world's best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.