Registration Now Open for UNCA's Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences Winter Performance Classes

Registration is now open for two Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences winter performance classes. Courses are open to students in grades K-12. No audition is required.

Sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Drama Department and Theatre UNCA, Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences provides a venue for youth to express themselves theatrically and creatively. ATYA instructors are experienced in various fields of dramatic art.

"Ten Minute Play Festival and Cabaret" class will meet from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during January 14-February 27 at the North Carolina Stage Company. Students ages eight and up will be trained in acting, music and movement. Cost for the class is $200. Cabaret performances, featuring all students, will be held on March 1 and 2.

Lenora Thom will lead the musical theater portion of the class. Before moving to Asheville in 1998, Thom held a 20-year professional career in New York as a conductor, pianist, music director, vocal coach and arranger. She is the music director/conductor of the Asheville Choral Society.

Denise Crowell will instruct acting sessions. Crowell studied at the N.C. School of the arts and received a bachelor of arts degree in drama from UNCA. She has also served as a theater apprentice at The College of William and Mary. Crowell is currently ATYA’s education director.

Movement and Acting sessions will be led by Crowell and Julie Gillum. Gillum, who holds a bachelor’s degree in drama, is co-founder of the JD Project and an original member of the Wall Street Dance Works.

"Imagination Theater," creative dramatics for students in grades K-2, will meet from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays during January 15-February 26 at UNCA. Kim Christman and Gillum will focus on improvisation, story-telling and theater games to expand students’ imagination, self-expression and communication skills. Cost for the class is $75. Christman holds a master’s degree in theater for young audiences from UNC Greensboro.

Due to limited space, early registration is encouraged. Deadline for registration is January 7. For more information or to register, call UNCA’s Drama Department at 828/251-6610.

Media Contacts:

• Denise Crowell, Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences Education Director, 828/251-6376
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526