Stage Struck

How to register

Download the registration form and mail or fax it to:

Studio Arena Theatre
710 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14202-1990
Fax: (716) 853-1729

If you have questions or can not download the form, please contact at (716) 856-8025 x1723

Registration Deadlines

Scholarship Applications May 31, 2008
All Classes June 16, 2008

Stage Struck: Summer 2008

Studio Arena Theatre School is dedicated to educating and enriching the lives of children and young adults by immersing them in a professional theatre environment that nurtures artistic excellence, discipline and personal growth.

As we enter the most ground breaking year in our history, our 81st year marks a turning point for both the Theatre as well as the Theatre School. Studio Arena is moving forward with a new detailed strategy for operating in partnership with a Buffalo based Performing Arts Center and a local college to insure a strong future. We will continue to be a fully functioning professional Equity Theatre.

Our rich history has included producing 45 world and American premiere plays, with 32 productions going on to New York City to be mounted on Broadway or Off-Broadway.

For the past 80 years, The Studio Arena Theatre School has been continuously offering theatre education and professional opportunities for children and young adults. It is the oldest continuously operating theatre school connected with a regional theatre in the United States.

Early Learning Division: Entering Grades 1-3

This enchanting early learning division is lead by veteran Studio Arena acting teacher, Kelly Beuth. Ms. Bleuth introduces young children to the joy and fun of creating live performances based on stories. Children will experience age appropriate interactive theatre games that build confidence, develop imagination and require cooperation. The building blocks of theatre; speech, movement, ideas and emotional expression are the focus of this half-day division. Your child will emerge with a new set of skills and more confidence as they make new friends.

Instructor: Kelly Beuth
Showcase Performance: The show will be based on the story in a favorite book chosen by the children.
Performance Dates and Times: July 25th and 26th 12:00 PM
Tution: $400.00

Intermidiate Division: Entering Grades 4-6

This is the perfect introductory or intermediate experience for every student who has always wanted to act or for every student who has a smattering of experience. Full of variety, word play, theatre games and improvisation - students learn the four elements; physical offer, verbal offer, character and story that comprise the actors toolkit. This division is designed to sharpen the imagination and build confidence, all in the spirit of acceptance and great fun. The final showcase will be based on a collection of stories and scenes where everyone will have a chance to shine.

Instructor: TBA
Showcase performance: TBA
Performance Dates and Times: July 25th and 26th 1:00 PM
Tuition : $600

Junior Division: Entering grades 7-9

Iain Campbell, Managing Director of Studio Arena Theatre, will lead this exciting division. Mr. Campbell is experienced in casting and staging through his association with San Jose Repertory Theatre, Court Theatre, and the Harker School. Student actors will focus on voice production, ensemble skills, and character building, connecting the emotions of the actor to the physical life of a character. Mr. Campbell's unique production experience will utilize exciting staging perspectives in both comedy and drama involving obstacles and blocking. Students will enjoy the fun of developing stage business and the challenge of cold readings and monologue preparation.

Each week will offer a different series of acting challenges and culminate in a full production of a one act play.

Instructor: Iain Campbell, Managing Director, Studio Arena Theatre
Showcase Performance; One Act Play - Title TBA dependent on the make up of the class
Performance Dates and Times: July 25th and 26th 2:00 PM
Tuition: $600

Young Adult Division: Entering Grades 10-12 and college freshman

Led by Studio Arena's Artistic Director and award winning playwright, Kathleen Gaffney, this dynamic division is geared toward the serious acting student. As a director and instructor for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and a professional director for fifteen years Ms. Gaffney's experience in the world of professional NY theatre equips her to provide guidance and advice with real world applications. Classes will feature advanced voice production, dialects, advanced stage movement and a wealth of conservatory based skills required by most college theatre programs. Ensemble building techniques and advanced scene study will alternate with the seven steps of emotional expression.

Each week will offer a different series of specific challenges including: Monologue selection and rehearsal, leaving the actor prepared for college theatre auditions. The Virtual Theatre Company will perform one Monday every month during the 08-09 season.

Instructor: Kathleen Gaffney, Artistic Director & CEO, Studio Arena
Showcase Performance: Virtual Theatre
Performance Dates and Times: July 25th and 26th 3:00 PM
Tuition $600

Philosophy

Studio Arena Theatre School believes that:

• Everyone has creative potential and our specially designed programs unleash that potential.
• That the vocal and physical training we provide enables all students to present themselves with confidence and authority.
• By being part of an ensemble, students develop strong interpersonal abilities.
• Because theatre is an art form of written and spoken language, acting training builds literacy.

Scholarships

Studio Arena Theatre School is continuing its tradition of providing scholarships, from support provided by individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the community. To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and a strong desire to pursue acting training. To apply, complete the enclosed scholarship application, attach an essay explaining why you want to attend, and a copy of the of the parents 2007 1040 Tax Return or other proof of income.
Send Materials to:

Studio Arena Theatre School, Scholarship Applications
710 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14202-1990

Please send the materials post-marked on or before May 30, 2008.

Important Information

Arrival And Departure

Students will gather in the Stage left Lounge and go to classrooms as a group. Please make the strongest effort to be on time. Morning classes begin promptly at 9:00 AM Monday through Friday. Habitual tardiness is disruptive to the entire class. Early drop off (8:30 AM) and late pick up (5:30 PM) are available at no additional cost. An extra early drop off at 8:00 AM is available for an additional one-time $35.00 fee.

Tupper Street is the major downtown lead to Rt. 33. For your child's safety, please take the extra moment to park and walk your child to the theatre. Students must stay in the Lounge at pick up time and MUST NOT leave the theatre until a parent arrives to pick them up.

Attendance, Holidays, & Make-Up Classes

We are unable to offer "make-up" classes for students who are absent. Absences seriously affect the group's final presentation. If you cannot attend class due to illness, vacation, or other conflicts, please call the Theatre School. No refunds will be issued for missed days.

Lunch/Snacks

All students should bring a mid-morning snack. Full-day students should also bring a lunch and an afternoon snack. Soda and juice may be purchased from the Theatre School. Because of liability, no students will be allowed to leave the building unless accompanied by their parent.

What To Wear & Bring

Students should wear cool, comfortable summer play clothes, suitable for movement. Remember to put a name label on everything you want back.

Withdrawl From Class

Your tuition includes a non-refundable registration fee of $50.00. If you choose to withdrawal for any reason, please note our refund policy on the back of the application form.

About The Artistic Director

Kathleen Gaffney, CEO & Artistic Director, is also the director and curriculum designer for Studio Arena's totally revamped and newly named Theatre School: Stage Struck. Gaffney has been called a Renaissance woman of the arts having achieved professional distinction as a playwright, director, actress, published author and television writer. Her acting credits include Broadway and Off-Broadway national tours; regional theatre including Studio Arena, The Globe, the American Shakespeare Company, Stratford ,CT., and Alley Theatres, feature films and television.

She wrote and directed 171 Jazz Boulevard, which opened at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. Her other plays include Frontiers which Variety called "nearly a master work," Surrender, co-written with Christopher Eaves premiered at the NY Fringe Festival, and Challenge Her, which was awarded Best Unpublished Play of 1995 by the American Association of Theatre Educators and had a successful run at Queens Theatre in the Park. Her original creation, Techno-free Virtual Theatre, is an innovative approach to theatre in which the director and actors create a new show in front of the audience.

Techno-free Virtual Theatre premiered off-Broadway in 1996 and Gaffney has directed hundreds of performances across the country. She directed Three Days Of Rain, and Indian Blood at Studio Arena and adapted The Fourth Wiseman with Tom Fontana which had a tremendous run at SAT. She has taught and directed at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and designed the Theatre Institute for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Gaffney has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Buffalo State College where she was named "Distinguished Alumni 2001" and received an "Achievement in Theatre" award in 2002 from Wayne State University where she received her MFA in acting/directing. She was given the first ever "Hero In Education" Award from the United States Department of Education in 1999. She is co-founder and past president of Artsgenesis, Inc., in New York City.