FORT LAUDERDALE –– The curtain is going up on another engaging semester of performing arts classes for all age groups, abilities and skill levels at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center on the Broward Center for the Performing Arts campus including a new sensory-inclusive preschool class. Enrollment is now open for classes that begin January 24.
Classes in singing, dancing, acting and improv are offered by a talented team of theater professionals and are designed to encourage artistic expression, develop skills in all areas of the performing arts and help students build self-confidence in a fun and supportive environment. There are also several performance opportunities this spring including the Broward Center Spotlights. Seussical JR, Legally Blond The Musical and much more.
Performance Opportunities
The Broward Center offers many opportunities for beginners and advanced students to enroll in classes that culminate in performances on its stages. Students in grades 1-3 will enjoy Let's Put on a Show, a performance class designed for their age and skill level that explores the basics of acting, singing and dancing while experiencing the process of auditions, rehearsals and performing scenes and songs from a show. Those in grades 4-10 may enroll in Youth Spring Musical: Disney's High School Musical 2, offered in partnership with The Performance Project School of the Arts. In this all-encompassing theatrical experience students learn acting, singing and dancing as well as production disciplines such as costumes, props, make-up and staging and use these skills to put on a final show. Students enrolling in Ultimate Theater Dance (grades 4-12) will explore traditional and contemporary Broadway dance styles that include elements of ballet, jazz and modern dance and perform in the Broward Center Spring Spectacular onstage in the Amaturo Theater.
Students with previous class or theatrical experience may audition for three classes that culminate in performances. Advanced techniques in acting, singing and dance are integrated into the rehearsal process and culminate in a full-length musical production of Teen Spring Musical: Legally Blonde The Musical, that is offered in partnership with The Performance Project School of the Arts for students in grades 8-12. Advanced Musical Theater Workshop: Seussical Jr, for grades 4-12, expands their musical theater skills on a pre-professional level as each week students are taught in small groups to strengthen techniques in singing, dancing and acting. Middle and high school students may audition to join Broward Center Spotlights, a performing vocal ensemble perfect for students who love to sing in front of an audience that includes performances at community events and in the Spring Spectacular.
Adult Cabaret, for those over 18, offers an advanced vocal group opportunity where students continue to develop proper breathing, tone production and vocal expression in a class that ends in a cabaret performance. Adult Comedy Improv: Next Level offers extended scene work, generating scene ideas from openings and other long form improv skills with students performing in a session-end showcase. Adult Musical Theater Singing, designed for adults who enjoy singing Broadway show tunes and want to improve vocal techniques, does not require previous singing experience and also concludes with a showcase.
Classes for Pre-K through High School
Youngsters in pre-K and kindergarten learn about story structure while increasing their vocabulary, confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills in Dramatic Play: Fairy Tales and Dragon Scales as they imagine, explore and create their own stories and adventures each week based on a different book featuring dragons, knights, princesses and fairy tale adventures.
Intro to Musical Theater is offered in age-appropriate classes for grades 1-2 and 3-5 as each explores the dynamic world of musical theater to develop the basics of singing, dancing and acting using songs and choreography from a wide range of popular Broadway musicals. Elementary school students will also enjoy the intermediate class Sing! Dance! Act! (grades 3-5) as they continue to develop musical theater skills such as movement and choreography, healthy vocal production technique, character development and overall focus and stage presence.
Acting & Improv (grades 4-6) explores the “fun”damentals with students building confidence and stretching their imagination as they explore how to use their bodies, voices and minds to create characters and imaginary circumstances through interactive warm-ups and skills-building activities.
Musical Theater Singing (grades 4-12) is a group singing class perfect for students who love show tunes with students singing in group numbers and exploring their specific skill level through solos and duets.
Classes for Adults
Adults can get in on the fun or improve skills in a variety of fun and engaging classes. Adult Comedy Improv is a joyful introduction to the world of improv for beginners, as well as an opportunity for the more experienced improviser to refresh and hone skills. Adult Acting: Try It! is taught in a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere in which participants take part in physical and vocal warm-ups, improvisation, theater games and more. No prior experience is necessary to enroll in Adult Broadway Dance taught by an experienced choreographer who offers the perfect way to help adults stay fit while learning basic steps and explosive choreography from some of Broadway’s greatest shows.
Adult Acting: Monologues builds on the core foundation of good acting as students develop the skills needed to make strong choices and create complete full-bodied characters. Adult Acting: Scene Study is for serious students interested in honing their craft, as they further their understanding of script analysis and character development.
New: Sensory-Inclusive Classes
For the first time, the Broward Center will offer Preschool Players a new sensory-inclusive preschool class for ages 3 to 5 that incorporates the gifts of music, movement, dance and play to enhance verbal skills and movement in a social setting. Parents and caregivers will participate with students in a safe and loving environment that will inspire children with developmental disabilities to utilize all aspects of theater for them to have more fulfilling lives at home and in the community. This class is led by teaching artists Debra Lombard and Anna Wallace from the David Posnack JCC, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that enriches lives by connecting people, and offered in collaboration with their Giborim United program. This new class is supported by the Kapila Family Foundation Endowed Fund for Sensory-Inclusive Pre-School Programs.
The winter/spring semester will once again feature the Special Stars class for the neurodiverse community offering a unique performing arts experience for those ages 15 and older. The class enhances verbal skills, improves movement, builds self-confidence and advances socialization while stimulating free and independent thinking. Students choose the characters and write the script for the performance that takes place in the JM Family Studio Theater. This class is offered in partnership with the Exceptional Theater Company and underwritten by the Michael & Merle Orlove Family Foundation and the Taft Foundation.
Additional Benefits and Scholarships
Students enrolled in all classes enjoy complimentary parking in the Riverwalk A&E Garage, located directly across the street from the Broward Center on SW Fifth Ave. They also receive special offers for discounted tickets to a variety of performances and preferred access to workshops offered by the Broward Center and its affiliated venues.
Need-based full and partial scholarships are available for students Pre-K through Grade 12 in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of the Ronald Plotkin Scholarship Fund and the Mary Jane Harlow Charitable Trust. To learn more or to apply contact the Education Team at 954.414.6904 or visit www.browardcenter.org/education/scholarships.
