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Health & Fitness

Registration is open for Encore's Drama Boot Camp!

Through a variety of theatrical games, exercises, and scene work, the Encore Drama Boot Camps offer an exciting and fast-paced environment wherein students are guided through the entire acting process. Starting with a “friendly” audition on the first day, students learn the skills necessary to develop a memorable character, understand their role within the larger story and convey emotion through expression, gesture and tone. They also learn to problem solve on the fly through improvisational techniques. The five-day camp culminates in a public performance on Friday evening when students will put into practice all they have learned. The methods taught through our camps hone public speaking and communication skills that your child can draw upon throughout their lives—at every job interview, client presentation or performance review. To get the most out of the camp, students are invited to prepare something for the audition to be held at the start of Monday’s class (we will furnish them with a subject to present if they have not brought anything but many students find it more comfortable to present material with which they are already familiar.) This should be something that takes about one minute to perform. Besides being incredibly fun, musical theater helps young people develop many of the skills necessary for success in today’s world: Self-Confidence: Throughout the rehearsal and performance process, young performers discover how to take creative and emotional risks and learn to trust their abilities. Literacy: Students increase reading and writing skills at their own pace by immersing themselves in the story, reading and re-reading their scripts, memorizing their lines and taking notes at rehearsal. Communication: During rehearsals, students learn how to articulate their thoughts and questions and carefully listen to direction in order to improve their performances. Imagination: Theater is most dynamic when the imaginations of its participants are fully engaged. Students make countless interpretive choices in design and performance to create a detailed, fictional world for their audiences. Empathy: Through character work and story creation, young performers explore the lives of others. First-hand perspectives of new circumstances challenge prejudices and aid in the development of well-rounded students and citizens. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: The amount of work required to successfully put on a show makes all participants valuable troubleshooters. Whether inventing mnemonics to remember lines, adjusting staging to show off everyone’s faces, or mastering a tricky scene change, students have countless opportunities to creatively tackle challenges. Self-Discipline: Through prompt attendance at rehearsals and learning lines, music and choreography on schedule, students acquire valuable self-discipline techniques and become reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble. Community Awareness: A theatrical production provides ample opportunities to connect with our families and neighbors. Students can engage parents, community centers and local vendors to help create sets, props, costumes and publicity. Public Speaking: Whether performing for their peers during rehearsal or for their school and local community during a performance, students gain expertise and confidence speaking in front of a group. Teamwork: Theater requires extensive creative input from all its participants. Students build ensemble by working together to rehearse, construct, promote and perform their show. Every role – whether onstage or behind the scenes – is vital for the show’s success. To register, go to www.hartlandplayers.org and click on the Encore tab.

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