Spring into acting, dancing and singing at Clear Space Arts Institute

The Clear Space Theatre Company heads back into the classroom this January and February for another semester of its Arts Institute program. Taught by industry professionals, there are classes in acting, singing and dancing for all ages and levels of experience.

"With the emphasis on starting a new fitness routine in the new year, Clear Space offers several opportunities for all ages to work out your acting skills on stage," says Executive Director Wesley Paulson.

The company's hallmark Arts Institute program for children and teens, Broadway Bound, returns for another semester from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 4 to April 8. Students in grades 1-8 rotate through three half-hour classes in voice, dance, and acting technique. At the end of the evening, the students gather for the final half-hour for a performance preparation period where they put together all three facets worked on that evening. The class fee is $200.

Gotta Dance! is designed for young students who wish to focus on dance technique in the world of musical theater (jazz, ballet, and tap). It meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 5 to April 8.  Fee is $200.

Children's Acting Technique, which runs from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 6 to April 8, is intended for students who wish to focus more specifically on dramatic studies. Students are guided through technique in improvisation, physicality, voice, and working as an ensemble. Fee is $150. Gotta Dance! and Children's Acting may be used as companion classes for those enrolled in Broadway Bound.

The semester's classes culminate at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, in a final performance where each class performs musical numbers and monologues, respectively.

Clear Space also offers classroom opportunities for adults, with both acting and dance classes.

Adult Dance classes will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 3 to April 7, and are designed for adults who wish to expand their education in musical theater dance, whether for personal craft or just for fun. Students will be guided through jazz and tap styles focusing on proper alignment, flexibility, muscle control and correct execution of technique.  Fee is $200.

For students 50 and older, Clear Space offers the popular Legends of Musical Theatre class. Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 22 to April 9, the class, which costs $250, offers students the opportunity to learn the music and join a staged reading of "Annie Get Your Gun." Songs from popular musical include "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Lost in His Arms," "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better," and more. The semester concludes in a final public performance at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 9.

Adult Acting class, offered 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sundays, Feb. 9 to April 13, provides one-hour sessions to improve existing skills through exercises led by Acting Company members and other business professionals. Sessions include technique, monologue/scenes, improvisation principles, and more. Drop-in fee is $5 per session. Call for specific schedule. Previous acting training and experience are recommended, but not necessary.

For more registration forms and more information, go to www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org or contact Melody Saunders at Melody@ClearSpaceTheatre.org.