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Long before Mr. Schuester and the Glee gang revived Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and introduced a generation to “Singing in the Rain” mashed up with “Umbrella,” the kids at Middletown’s Premier Centre for the Arts were singing, dancing and acting their way through adolescence.
“For 10 years now, our program has been ‘Glee,’” said PCA owner Fred Munzert.
The program recently expanded its reach by opening a satellite class at Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts. Students can start working on that triple-threat status by joining the next class, which runs from most Tuesdays, Jan. 17, through April 24, at the Schwartz Center in Dover.
The program started with a trial run last spring and then continued with a summer camp and a fall session. It accomplished two goals: PCA expanded its reach into the southern part of the state, and the Schwartz Center upped its educational offerings.
“It really just worked out,” Conner said. “We had the space and they had the staff.”
Classes meet at the Schwartz Center, which historically has not offered regular classes. Much of its educational programming is done in conjunction with scheduled performances. For example, before a recent performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, scholars engaged the audience in a pre-concert talk about the history of jazz, blues and the legends of New Orleans music.
Conner said the collaboration with PCA allows them to bring in a younger audience with an education hook.
“We want to get more kids coming here for things, so this is definitely a staircase to more education at the Schwartz Center,” Conner said.
The fall class culminated in a performance of “Annie Jr.” that netted about 600 audience members over three shows, a success in Munzert’s eyes.
Next up is a four-month class focusing on music from “Glee,” culminating in performances the weekend of May 1.
Munzert said students will not only pick up dancing, singing, acting and some backstage production skills, but also social skills. They’ll learn how to work as a team, regardless of age.
The great thing about musical theater is that there are varied levels and styles within each show, so accommodating different ages and skill levels is fairly easy, Munzert said.
“We care and really try to be effective in letting them be at the level they’re at and grow from there,” he said.
Munzert also sees how students glow after having the experience of performing for a paying audience. They feel as if they’ve tackled a goal, and that they can accomplish things bigger than themselves.
“In building them as people, it’s a really great opportunity,” Munzert said.
Long before Mr. Schuester and the Glee gang revived Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and introduced a generation to “Singing in the Rain” mashed up with “Umbrella,” the kids at Middletown’s Premier Centre for the Arts were singing, dancing and acting their way through adolescence.
“For 10 years now, our program has been ‘Glee,’” said PCA owner Fred Munzert.
The program recently expanded its reach by opening a satellite class at Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts. Students can start working on that triple-threat status by joining the next class, which runs from most Tuesdays, Jan. 17, through April 24, at the Schwartz Center in Dover.
The program started with a trial run last spring and then continued with a summer camp and a fall session. It accomplished two goals: PCA expanded its reach into the southern part of the state, and the Schwartz Center upped its educational offerings.
“It really just worked out,” Conner said. “We had the space and they had the staff.”
Classes meet at the Schwartz Center, which historically has not offered regular classes. Much of its educational programming is done in conjunction with scheduled performances. For example, before a recent performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, scholars engaged the audience in a pre-concert talk about the history of jazz, blues and the legends of New Orleans music.
Conner said the collaboration with PCA allows them to bring in a younger audience with an education hook.
“We want to get more kids coming here for things, so this is definitely a staircase to more education at the Schwartz Center,” Conner said.
The fall class culminated in a performance of “Annie Jr.” that netted about 600 audience members over three shows, a success in Munzert’s eyes.
Next up is a four-month class focusing on music from “Glee,” culminating in performances the weekend of May 1.
Munzert said students will not only pick up dancing, singing, acting and some backstage production skills, but also social skills. They’ll learn how to work as a team, regardless of age.
The great thing about musical theater is that there are varied levels and styles within each show, so accommodating different ages and skill levels is fairly easy, Munzert said.
“We care and really try to be effective in letting them be at the level they’re at and grow from there,” he said.
Munzert also sees how students glow after having the experience of performing for a paying audience. They feel as if they’ve tackled a goal, and that they can accomplish things bigger than themselves.
“In building them as people, it’s a really great opportunity,” Munzert said.
