Saturdays 9:00 - 11:00, September 18, October 2, 16, 30, November 13 (Five Sessions)

Location: 14 4th St. SW, Rochester (former Masque)

A primer class to cover: responsibilities and interpersonal relationships of stage managing and how to create a cohesive production experience; communicating with cast; the nightmare of scheduling; technical theatre and how it relates to the overall production; Stage Manger interaction with the Box Office, Refreshments, Publicity, etc.

We strongly encourage anyone who hopes to stage manage or student direct a Words Players production in 2010 or 2011 to participate in these sessions. They will also be useful to anyone interested in coordinating some specific area, such as Props or Costumes, or someone who simply wants to have a better idea of what theatre production entails. Most sessions will be self- contained so that someone interested in Sound or Costumes could probably benefit from that session alone.

Fridays 1:00 - 3:00, October 1 - November 19. These times may be modified to fit participant schedules. Register by September 15.

Location: 14 4th St. SW, Rochester (former Masque)

Picture a bow-tied science nerd and a "mad scientist" with a German accent along with a couple dozen tap-dancing ten-year-olds singing about annelids and platyhelminthes! What could it possibly mean-except that we are going to create an original Junior Troupe musical based on a collection of quasi-educational Science songs. This group, along with a few "Science Advisors" will undertake everything that needs to happen to prepare for January's Junior auditions for this new show. Help us write skits, create props, design set concepts, arrange music, choreograph.

Thursdays 4:00-5:00, September 9-October 28, ages 6-12
Thursdays 5:00-6:00, September 9-October 28, ages 12 and up

Location: 14 4th St. SW, Rochester (former Masque)

These FUN courses will focus on acting skills, vocal training, and interactions between characters. Students will gain self-confidence and stage presence. They will also practice improvisation, movement, and voice techniques. Develop skills in character development and taking direction. Older students will also work towards more polished performance, acting collaboratively, and in-depth characterization.

Auditions: September 7, 3:00 - 5:00
No preparation necessary

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 3:00 - 5:00, September 14 - December 14

Location: 14 4th St. SW, Rochester (former Masque)

The group will modify its rehearsal schedule to fit individual needs.

Our "Polite Mechanicals"-the half-improvised, half-compromised actors that performed in our production of A Midsummer Night's Dream-are back! After September 7 auditions, actors will be placed with others of similar experience into small ensembles. The sessions will be a combination of acting/improvisation/movement and rehearsal.

One group will create an outline of sketches which the Polite Mechanicals will use for next year's Shakespeare in the Park. It will also create a variety of short versions of Shakespeare's plays to for performance in spring 2011. We intend the group to remain intact through April 201.

Spring auditions will cast the group of Polite Mechanicals for Shakespeare in the Park performances.