Watch your child’s face light up as they take the spotlight with classes from Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) Academy. From Kindergarten to adults, students will learn the basics of acting, singing, and dancing in these 12-week classes while they create characters, construct stories, and build 21st Century Skills.
Students will especially learn that their voice and their role matters, no matter how small. There is no experience needed, and kids have loved their hallmark classes — Sing Dance Act (Grades K-1), Broadway Prep (Grades 2-3), and Bridge to Broadway (Grades 4-5) — for almost 10 years.
Just for KidFriendlyDC subscribers, save $35 or more on Fall Classes (10%) with the promo code KFDCF23. Need more assistance? Scholarships are available and ask them about sibling discounts too at 301-251-5766.
Savings Alert: Tickets to You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre MTC
Join old friends as Adventure Theater gathers the entire Peanuts gang for a nostalgic and heartwarming musical based on the comic strip by Charles Schulz. With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of Charlie Brown as his friends play baseball, fly kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business!
This show is recommended for all ages. Single tickets are on sale for You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre MTC (with children under the age of 1 free), but for season-long savings, consider a Flexpassinstead and save $7.50 per ticket!
About Adventure Theatre ATMTC
ATMTC cultivates new generations of artists and audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and by providing young people the highest quality musical theater training. Learn more here.
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This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre MTC, however, I only promote activities, events, and services that I sincerely enjoy and think would appeal to KFDC readers.
As autumn looms and our children head back to school, Adventure Theatre MTC is also gearing up for the fall semester — one filled with performing arts classes that are fun and enriching, that will benefit kids on stage and off.
The Adventure Theatre MTC Academy offers their students the highest quality creative drama and musical theater training, including classes, student productions, camps, and workshops based on National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning. Courses have a defined curriculum and goals regardless if they are enrichment (ie, just-for-fun) or technique-based, and the teaching artists have over 30 years combined experience. And ATMTC prides itself on its history of alumni which includes Broadway and National Touring artists as well as leaders in local theatre in and around Washington, DC.
I can personally attest to the quality of their programs. Owen recently participated in his third year of camp with Adventure Theatre, an experience that was once again a highlight of his summer. Over a two-week session the kids learn an incredible amount about acting and the inner workings of the theatre, which they showcase in a real production that parents and friends are invited to watch. It truly is impressive to see just how much they get out of classes.
But the best part is knowing how much fun they have in the process and seeing them gain skills that translate into other parts of their lives. As one Adventure Theatre rep put it:
“No matter what you do in life, you will have to present yourself and display confidence despite what you’re really feeling inside. For interviews, presentations, and meetings, regardless of your chosen career path, you will have to understand your own body language and movement ability — and what that says to others. Learning to present oneself early in front of a group of people will assist in future endeavors no matter what path they choose in life. Additionally, enhancing nonverbal and verbal skills helps you stand-out and creatively communicate to others in this age where everyone relies on digital communication. However, if their path is one of the stage (singers, musicians, actors, and even behind-the-camera), understanding the actor’s process is essential.”
A variety of classes are available this fall for all ages, interests, and experience, even a workshop for parents, including:
(Grades K-3) Musical Theater Dance: A beginning dance course designed to introduce your young dancer to the dance moves and terminology used in professional musical theater. Under the direction of the instructor, students will learn proper dance terminology, develop dance etiquette, and increase their body awareness as they learn the basics of ballet, jazz, and tap dance.
(Grades 6-12) Actor’s Workshop: In Actors Workshop III, students will sharpen their talent through the process of rehearsal and presentation of scene work and a one-act piece, allowing them to identify acting habits that will inhibit growth in textual work, character development, technical polish and interplay. Pre-requisite of Acting Technique II is required, or by instructor permission. (Once advanced to level III, students will continue to work a different play each semester, culminating in The Academy Acting Showcase to be performed at the Glen Echo Main stage on Sunday, May 15, 2016.)
Smart Stage Parent’s Workshop: This workshop has been created to provide parents with practical, solid advice to benefit their child and assist them in navigating the world of professional theater. Make no mistake, the arts world offers steady stress for kids: Auditions outnumber jobs; competition and rejection are facts of life. This special workshop will offer valuable insight, advice and tips from a professional panel including casting and collegiate professionals. Topics will include overcoming what is holding you back from getting seen by Casting Directors (it’s all about relationships), to get (or not to get) a manager & agent, to be (or not to be) equity, creating resumes and headshots that stand out (for the right reasons!), steering clear of scams, how to effectively handle rejection, and plenty of insider tips that will help you help your child follow his or her dream.
Parent Favorites: (Grades K-3) Sing, Dance, Act!: The best way to introduce your young thespian to the genre of musical theater! This class will include stage performance basics, vocal instruction, and simple Broadway dance combinations by creating and using age-appropriate musical scenes. No pre-requisite or placement is required for this course. (Advancement level option after two semesters, or by instructor permission: Broadway Prep.)
(Grades 1-3) Mini-Play: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: No audition required This class culminates in an informal performance that is guided by literature and created by our students. Participants will join Snow White, the Wicked Queen, and the Seven Dwarves as they explore the story, its characters, plot line, and sequence; working together to create their own improvised theater piece!
(Grades 6-12) Ballet/Jazz Combo I or II: Students learn two musical theater styles in one class. The combination course allows students to gain a fundamental knowledge of and preparation for the dance forms of both ballet and jazz. Classes consist of learning the standard placement of feet and arms, basic terminology, barre exercises, floor work and simple jazz combinations.
(Grades 4-7) Acting the Song: Facilitated by an experienced voice teacher and musical theater professional, students will work on the skills necessary to technically and aesthetically perform musical theater repertoire. Both up-tempo and ballad songs will be chosen for students’ vocal ranges and acting abilities.
These are just a sample of the many classes being offered, so be sure to check out the full list. Days, times, and rates vary by class — you can find all of those details on the Adventure Theatre MTC website.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre MTC, however, I only promote activities, events, and services that I sincerely enjoy and think would appeal to KFDC readers.
Are you looking for an active, after-school activity in a fun setting for your kids? Do they have an interest in taking their singing, dancing, and/or acting performance to the next level? Adventure Theatre MTC Academy offers children ages 2-18 an opportunity to train with talented, fun teaching artists at both Glen Echo Park and Wintergreen Plaza locations. Even better, they’re offering a discount to KFDC readers on classes! (Enter the code KFDC_FALL13 at checkout when you register online or call 301.251.5766 and mention the KidFriendly DC discount when you register by phone.)
Chances are you’ve seen a show or two (or ten) at the Glen Echo venue that is well known for its family-friendly productions. Their plays and musicals, often interpretations of classic children’s stories, are always top-notch, featuring amazing talent, delightful sets, and some of the best theater experiences for young audiences in the area.
Those high standards are maintained in their class and camp offerings for children — and I know this first hand: Owen participated in an Adventure Theatre MTC camp this summer, and not only did he have an absolute blast and learn a ton about acting and theatre, the two-week session culminated with a fantastic production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I was so, so impressed with the outcome and tickled to see all of the kids enjoying themselves as they performed. It was obvious they received quality instruction in a fun, encouraging environment.
The ATMTC Academy is still accepting students for their fall prorgams. The Academy provides young people with creative drama and musical theater training, including classes, student productions, ensembles, camps, and workshops based on National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning. Some of the fun and popular classes on the schedule this fall include:
Lightsaber Adventures – Focusing on stage combat instruction, young Padawans will learn the ways of the force through both simple tasks and challenging missions. This class will teach lessons in safety, focus, spatial awareness, teamwork and self-discipline all within a safe framework of basic stage combat movement.
Acting Technique – Taught for several ages and levels, students learn a variety of approaches, methods, and acting techniques with concentrated work in improvisation, character development, scene work, monologue study, stage direction, script analysis, critiquing, and mime techniques.
Mini-Play: Peter Pan – One part exploratory drama, one part improv, all around fun! This 10-week class culminates in an informal showcase of work. Participants will explore the classic story of Peter Pan, its characters, plotline, and sequence, and work together each week to create their own improvised version of the play.
Ballet, Tap, or Jazz – Instruction in various dance genres is offered for several ages and levels.
Singing for the Stage – Courses help students establish the basic techniques of vocal production, pitch controls, tone production, and breathing through various exercises and demonstrations in a choral/group setting.
The above are just a sample of the many classes being offered, so be sure to check out the full list. Days, times, and rates vary by class — you can find those details on the website as well.
Adventure Theatre MTC is offering KidFriendly DC readers a 15% discount (up to $60 savings) on registration. Just enter the code KFDC_FALL13 at checkout when you register online or call 301.251.5766 and mention the KidFriendly DC discount when you register by phone.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre MTC, however, I only promote activities, events, and services that I sincerely enjoy and think would appeal to KFDC readers.
