Registration Underway for Spring Youth Theatre Studio Classes
Give the gift of creativity and confidence for the holidays. Registration is open for the Youth Theatre Studio of the William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence Community College, returning for an encore in the spring of 2012.
"Gift certificates are available as part of class registration for our Spring 2012 classes," said Artistic Director Peter Ellenstein. "This way, members of an extended family can literally give the courses to loved ones for the holidays. Education and training in the arts is proven to aid young people in all academic and social activities; and, thanks to our instructor, the students at the Youth Theatre Studio enjoy a fun and creative time."
Independence native Marissa Fritzemeier returns as instructor for the classes, which begin February.
"The class emphasis is on educational and artistic experiences that challenge each student." Fritzemeier said, "The focus is on the process of learning how to perform on stage with greater expertise."
"The Inge Center is thrilled with the community's support of this class, which brings sustained quality theatre training to the youth of Southeast Kansas and complements the excellent program run by the Independence Summer Children's Theatre" said Ellenstein.
The seven-class term begins Saturday Feb. 4, with classes also scheduled Feb. 11 18, and 25; and March 3, 10, and 17, 2012.
There are classes for two age groups: one from grades 3 through 5, and a second for grades 6 through 8.
The Saturday classes for students in grades 3 through 5 met 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The classes for grades 6 through 8 meet 10:45 a.m. through 12 noon. The classes are held at Independence Community College.
The fee is $90 for the seven class sessions. Enrollment can be done by phone to the Inge Center office at (620) 332-5491 or to hjoyce@ingecenter.org.
A $50 deposit is required to hold a spot in the class, which is limited to 15 students each. The balance is due at the first class.
Instructor Fritzemeier is an Independence native and professional theatre artist. Marisa attended Independence Bible School, then studied theater at Independence Community College, where she was one of the first students in the Inge Center's Professional Playwriting classes. Her roles at ICC included Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town.
Marisa received her BFA in Theater from Emporia State University (ESU). While at ESU, she won the William Inge Award for acting and was an Irene Ryan acting competition finalist. In addition to extensive directing and acting credits, Marisa's most extraordinary contribution was her work for the Educational Theater Company (ETC). ETC aids teachers by creating educational entertainment for each classroom's specific needs.
Marisa has also worked with Cornerstone Theater in Los Angeles. Cornerstone is the leading community collaborative-based theater troupe in the nation, which works with various communities to create new works written by and told by the community members themselves. Cornerstone currently partners with the Inge Center in the presentation of The Greensburg Project play, later this year, in Greensburg, Kansas.
The William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence community College offers quality year-round educational and artistic programming. It is best known as sponsor of the annual William Inge Theatre Festival, which is the Official State Theatre Festival of Kansas. The 31st annual Inge Festival honors David Henry Hwang and runs April 18-21, 2013.
The William Inge Center for the Arts is a participant in the New Generations Program, funded by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre.
Additional major supporters include the National Endowment for the Arts, the William Inge Festival Foundation, and Independence Community College.
