Party launches new theater program at Ice House

September 20, 2010

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Morgan Arts Council will launch a yearlong program of theater-arts classes with a party Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ice House.

"We're encouraging anyone interested in any part of local theater to come hear about the classes, and meet the teachers and potential students," Mary Hott, executive director of the MAC, said in a press release. "We're hoping to recruit new people, as well as inspire those who have worked with the Ice House Theater to recommit. This is about taking the next step."

More than 50 individual classes, two staged readings of locally written plays and the opportunity to be part of a full-scale production next spring are all part of the Building Community Theater project. Under the overall direction of local theater professor Kirsten Trump, the classes include acting and directing, as well as various behind-the-scenes skills, including lighting, sound, sets, costuming and stage management.

"All the skills connected to theater have career paths," Hott said. "The program aims at training for paid work possibilities, as well as the creative expression of being on stage."

Trump is teaching the acting and directing segments -- six weeks of classes in each topic beginning Oct. 2.

"All the classes are scheduled so there is no overlap," Hott said. "We hope there are people who will take several of the series."

Brice Williams is teaching the technical series. Lynne Harris of the Maryland Repertory Theater is teaching stage management.

Marti Sikes is introducing a new concept for her costuming class.

"It's called Extreme Costume Challenge," Sikes said. "All the participants spend two days creating the costumes and conclude with a runway show that is part of the class."

The first Extreme Costume Challenge class and runway shows are Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31.

"We'll be taking registrations at the kickoff party, but mostly we want people to come out and get excited about what's going to happen in local theater over the next year," Hott said.

Classes are open to anyone 15 years of age and older, and will be held at the Ice House. A second series of classes is scheduled for late winter.

For more information, call 304-258-2300 or go to http://www.macicehouse.org.

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