Acting

“The craft of acting goes far beyond the surface of performing. It connects with the soul and draws out raw unfiltered behavior that breeds authenticity; stripping you from every pretense and allowing you ...to be YOU! THAT'S why I love teaching the craft! There's no hiding. Through vulnerability, it uncovers and taps into the full potential of your artistry.... Are you ready to commit?”

Improv, Creative Drama, Acting

Natasha Gallop, a Newark NJ native, will be teaching Creative Drama, Acting and Improv. She believes the gift of watching adolescents come into self confidence is unmatched. The freedom and pure joy in play, exploration and understanding is what draws her to teaching the arts. Acting allows children to objectively look at themselves, and the world around them while deciding what to adopt and what to pass over. As they grow they learn perspective and thus empathy. This is the gift and empowerment of self through free play.

Playwriting

Melissa Toomey will be teaching Playwriting for Teens. Her passion is guiding students to find their own voices in the process of creating original work. Empowering students to believe in and embrace the value of their perspectives/stories is her favorite part of working with young playwrights. She loves seeing students expand the boundaries of what is possible on the stage with their words. She is excited by the future of the American Drama and where the next generation will take it!

Stage Combat, Improv

Lucas is teaching Improvisation and Stage Combat, two of his absolute favorite classes to teach. As a process-oriented teaching artist, Lucas loves exploring the techniques behind how to craft an entertaining piece of theatre. This is so important for improvisation because, even though much is made up on the spot, there are many rules and guidelines to follow to do this most successfully. It is equally as important for stage combat because, although it is best when the combat is convincing and thrilling, it is most vital that it is done safely and accurately. Both of these theatrical practices require patience, commitment, and bravery. Sharing necessary techniques and tactics with theatre students is always rewarding - leading to lots of laughs and awe.