The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s annual Summer Theatre School is gearing up! Theatre School, a staple at the Theatre, seeks to respect and nurture each student’s creativity in an unpressured, group oriented environment. Ensemble members, staff and experienced guest artists are featured as instructors. BTE offers classes for every age, kindergarten to adult!

CREATIVE DRAMATICS
Our class for children entering grades K-2, Creative Dramatics - Aesop’s Fables has been so popular that we are expanding it to two sessions. Session One will be held June 11th – 15th from 10:00am to 11:30am. Session Two will be from July 17th – 21st from 9:30am – 11:00am. In both sessions, we will bring to life the animals of Aesop’s Fables. From the town mouse and the country mouse to the tortoise and the wily hare, these delightful stories have lessons for us all!

Creative Dramatics - Russian Wondertales, a class for those entering grades 3-5 in September, will be held July 24th – 28th from 9:30am – 11:30am. Flying ships, frightful giants and goats that sneeze gold pieces - enter the world of Russian folklore! The class will begin each day with games to build concentration and skills in working together. Then they will explore the exciting and humorous world of Russian wondertales.

For students entering grades 6-8 next fall, our Creative Dramatics - Jeully, Beully: Russian Journey Tales will be of interest. This class will focus on the brave youths of Russian journey tales. Students will hone their storytelling skills as they enter the world of Baba Yaga the witch, Vasilisa the wise, Ivan the fool and many others! This class will be June 11th – 15th from 1:30pm – 3:30pm.

All Creative Dramatics courses are instructed by Elizabeth Dowd and held at the Mitrani Production Center, 236 Catherine Street in Bloomsburg. The cost for each course is $70.00.

INTEGRATED ARTS
Come explore the arts of the world’s largest country! Follow the path of the Trans-Siberian railroad as we discover the rich cultural heritage of Russia. From folk nesting dolls to religious icon paintings to the beauty of St. Basil’s Cathedral, join us as we journey through the wealth and majesty of Russian culture in our Integrated Arts - Russia: Land of the Firebird camp for grades 3-8. Each day begins with activity sessions where students receive concentrated instruction in these artistic disciplines: visual arts, drama, and music. At the end of the day, students and instructors gather to integrate what the students have created. Students don’t need any special skills - just curiosity and enthusiasm! Integrated Arts will be held at the Caldwell Consistory July 30th – August 10th from 9:00am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday. The cost is $275.00.

FOR TEENS
For middle and high school, BTE brings back Making the Magic Happen: The Job of the Stage Manager from June 25th – 29th, 11:00am – 12:15pm at the Alvina Krause Theatre. Production Stage Manager MaryAgnes Brown will take students from prep week before rehearsals begin to calling the show in production to striking the set once it is over. Experienced crew and novices alike are invited to join us on this exploration “behind the scenes.” Anyone who takes this class is also invited to the Technical Rehearsals of Hans Upon A Time, where they can see what they have learned in action. The cost is $70.00 for this class.

NEW CLASS! The Teen Improv Intensive Workshop will offer an intensive learning opportunity and creative workout for a select group of young high school artists. Learn the basics of comic and dramatic improvisation used by theatre and sketch comedy artists. Teamwork, cooperation, and imagination will be needed in order to make scenes out of nothing but a suggestion. Parents and friends are invited to our final days showing to see the skills and sketches we create in this week long workshop. To be held at the Mitrani Production Center July 30th – August 3rd. Class times are varied, please see the website or call our Administrative offices for exact times. Ensemble member Elizabeth Dowd instructs this course; the cost is $135.00.

ADULTS
In the Actor’s Playreading Club, participants relax in the setting of a neighborhood café while reading a great play. Adults are invited to enjoy a cold beer, wonderful wine, or indulge in their sweet tooth while reading a play with a member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Playreadings are held in the evening, one night a week. The cost of each reading is $8.00, which must be paid in advance to cover materials. All readings are held at Russell’s Restaurant, 117 W. Main Street in Bloomsburg. Refreshments and gratuity are the responsibility of the participant. The readings are as follows:

July 3rd – Daniel Roth hosts Hans Upon A Time adapted by James Goode
July 10th – Cassandra Pisieczko hosts Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
July 17th – James Goode hosts You Can’t Take It With You by Kaufman and Hart
July 24th – Elizabeth Dowd hosts All My Sons by Arthur Miller
July 31st – Andrew Hubatsek hosts Incorruptible by Michael Hollinger

NEW CLASS! Discover your Inner-Bard – in a fun, unpressured environment explore the villains, heroes and fools of Shakespeare’s repertoire! Our Adult Acting Workshop will encourage your personal expression and empower your creativity by focusing on selected monologues and scenes from Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Previous experience of acting or Shakespeare is not required. The class will be offered from 6:00pm – 9:00pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between June 5th and 16th. Ensemble members Cassandra Pisieczko and Andrew Hubatsek will instruct at the Mitrani Production Center. The class costs $135.00.

Class sizes are limited, so enroll early to ensure a spot! Call the administrative offices of BTE at (570) 784-5530 for more information, or to enroll. Visit our website at www.bte.org/educational/school to download a registration form, or read more about these courses and the instructors.

The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble is a non-profit, professional theatre located in the heart of Downtown Bloomsburg. Founded in 1978, BTE is enjoying its 29th Season of bringing quality entertainment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information on BTE, please visit our web site at www.bte.org.