TheaterWorksUSA has led the Theater for Young and Family Audiences movement for over half a century by creating exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences that are accessible to diverse audiences on Broadway and throughout North America. Since 1961, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 130 original plays and musicals.
During these unprecedented times, when schools remain closed, and audiences are prevented from gathering for any live productions, TheaterWorksUSA remains dedicated to pursuing its mission. The company has adapted to this current situation in a way that will benefit young audiences around the country now and for the future, with the creation and launch of TheaterWorksUSAcademy. This Academy is a new educational space for children, young professionals, and families that is designed to, like TheaterWorksUSA’s live performances: build community, foster creativity, encourage literacy, and instill a love for theater arts.
TheaterWorksUSAcademy begins classes on May 22. Registration is open now.
For more information on TWUSAcademy, please visit: www.twusa.org/academy or contact academy@twusa.org.
“For years, we have been discussing how we could deepen our relationship with the millions of young people our productions serve each year. TheaterWorksUSAcademy is an exciting step towards that deeper relationship as well as an opportunity to expand our reach and foster a love for theater in even more communities. Until we can gather safely again in person, we are determined to do what we can to keep theater present in the lives of young people and families.” - Michael Harrington, TheaterWorksUSA Managing Director
“Young people are craving connection and desperate to express themselves. This Academy is another step towards a world TheaterWorksUSA imagines where everyone can experience exceptional theater that gives rising generations a reason to look up and explore with optimism the full potential of their personal and communal identities. This is a perfect time to go virtual .” - Barbara Pasternack, TheaterWorksUSA Artistic Director
TWUSAcademy will launch with its first session of Master Classes includes Broadway luminaries and TheaterWorksUSA alumni including Stephen Brackett ( Be More Chill, A Strange Loop, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical ), Kimberly Grigsby ( To Kill a Mockingbird, Head over Heels, Spring Awakening), Joe Iconis ( Be More Chill ), Judy Kuhn ( Fun Home, Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me ), Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Disney’s Frozen, Frozen 2, In Transit ), Bobby Lopez (Disney’s Frozen, Frozen 2, Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon), Donna Murphy ( The King and I, Wonderful Town ), Rob Rokicki ( The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical ), and Jerry Zaks ( Mrs. Doubtfire, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly! ).
TWUSAcademy will also offer multi-week classes for all ages, including everything from playwrighting to songwriting to audition preparation.
- Make a Story!, a class for elementary-aged students to explore how to use story elements from their favorite books to create an original play. This course extends from TWUSA’s exceptional success in adapting popular children’s literature, including Pete the Cat, Dragons Love Tacos, Junie B. Jones, and Dog Man into plays and musicals that have delighted millions.
- TWUSA: On Broadway, a class for young artists who are eager to immerse themselves in the magic of Broadway musicals, including TWUSA’s own The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Students will learn about the theater-making process while learning songs, exploring movement styles, and even meeting some of the artists from Broadway musicals created by TWUSA alumni.
- Musical theater artists ages 13+ can enroll in intensive skill-building courses such as:
- Audition Success, a class designed to help thespians, amateurs and professionals alike, demystify the audition process and sharpen their audition technique.
- Songwriting, through individualized instruction using examples from musical theater and pop music each student will learn the craft – and actually write – an original song.
- DIY: Family Musicals!, will lead the entire family through the process of adapting your favorite story into a performance and recording under the guidance of a TWUSA professional theater director.
In addition to the Master Classes and multi-week programming, TWUSAcademy is developing tools and programs that can be utilized by their extensive network of school and performing arts venue partners. These programs will help supplement curriculum and help teachers bring theater and the social-emotional benefits that accompany it into their virtual classroom. They are also developing tools, including original musicals created specifically for this time, for regional performing arts centers who are seeking to create virtual musical theater summer camps for their local communities.
To register or for more information on TWUSAcademy, please visit: www.twusa.org/academy
Visit TheaterWorksUSA at www.TWUSA.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheaterWorksUSA
Instagram: Instagram.com/ theaterworksusa
YouTube: Youtube.com/user/ theatreworksusa
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