Registration Now Open for After-School Youth Drama Classes at UNCA

Registration is now open for UNC Asheville’s Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences after-school drama classes. Courses meet September 9-November 1 and are open to students in grades K-12. Classes will meet at UNCA. Sponsored by UNCA’s Drama Department and Theatre UNCA, Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences provides a venue for youth to express themselves theatrically and creatively. In addition to after-school classes, in-school programs and quality productions are also offered. ATYA instructors are experienced K-12 teachers with knowledge in various fields of dramatic art.

"Creative Drama" with Kim Christman will focus on improvisation, story-telling and theater games to expand student’s imagination, self-expression and communication skills. Two sessions of this class are available. Students in grades K-2 will meet from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Thursdays and students in grades 3-5 will meet from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Cost for the class is $80. Christman holds a master’s degree in theater for young audiences from UNC Greensboro.

"Intro to Acting" with Julie Gillum will draw students into the world of developing physical characters, vocalization techniques and adept presentation. Participants will learn stage direction and theatrical terminology while preparing for scene study and monologues. Two sessions of this class will be available. Students in grades 6-8 will meet from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesdays and students in grades 9-12 will meet from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost for the class is $80. 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.

"Advanced Acting" with Denise Crowell is a Conservatory Theater Arts class open to students with previous theatrical experience. This class is designed for high school students who have a specific interest in acting and directing. Younger students may enroll by audition and interview only. Class work will include warm-up and focus exercises, character development, research for script scoring, and scene and monologue studies. The class will meet from 7-8:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost for the class is $150. An experienced high school educator, Crowell studied drama at UNCA and the N.C. School of the Arts. She has also served as a theater apprentice at The College of William and Mary. 

For more information or to register, call UNCA’s Drama Department at 828/251-6610.

Media Contacts:

• Pat Snoyer, UNCA Associate Professor of Drama, 828/251-6940
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526