News

Playhouse announces broad-based education programs

By Bill Moss, Published: April 8, 2015

Plunging into education in a big way, the Flat Rock Playhouse is launching a broad program of summer camps, intensive workshops and seminars teaching drama, musical theater and film for every age from kindergarten to adult.

“Commitment to education has been a guiding principle at Flat Rock Playhouse since its inception," said Playhouse Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant, who leads the organization founded in 1952 as the Vagabond School of the Drama. "We are truly thrilled to continue this legacy with the introduction of Studio 52. Studio 52 will feature an excellent lineup of classes for all levels, including adults. Participants will work side-by-side with not only our exceptional resident teaching staff, but will also benefit from the teaching talents of guest instructors from all over the country.”

Named for the theater's birth year, Studio 52 will be led by J.J. Ruscella, who is currently leading the next generation of acting programs in one of the country's oldest conservatories, Shenandoah University. In addition to his work as an award winning actor/director/writer, Ruscella has also served as director of the New York Film Academy at Disney/MGM Studios.

Flat Rock Playhouse Studio 52 summer sessions starts June 15. Rising first through third graders will study such topics as Dr. Seuss, Fairy Tales, The World of Carl Sandburg and The Wonderful World of Animated Features. Fourth through sixth graders will concentrate on such topics as Wizards Witches and Warlocks, Young Adult Dystopia, Superheroes and In a Galaxy Far Far Away. Grades 7 through 12 can enroll in A Pre-Professional High School Program taught by guest director Charles Goforth, who has taught acting at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Cornell University and Shenandoah.

Studio 52 summer sessions will also include Musical Theatre camps focusing on Jukebox, Pop/Rock, Classic and Broadway Blockbuster musicals.

Fresh from the sold out run of The Wizard of Oz, resident director and instructor Dave Hart will be tending to the Theatre and Music Theatre programs. And returning will be Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre alumni and Hendersonville High School graduate Olivia Palmer, who is joining the teaching ranks at Flat Rock Playhouse for the first time this summer.

For those interested in movies, the Flat Rock Playhouse Film Academy will be offered. Rising fourth through 12th graders will be divided into two groups – Journeyman and Initiate – and will learn the process of film acting and production with topics including Basic Camera and Sound Operation, Filmmaking 101, Lighting and Color Grading Essentials and Screenwriting. Each week both levels will script, shoot and edit their own Music Videos, PSAs, Commercials or Documentaries. Each Friday students' works will be shown at the Flat Rock Cinema in a private screening for family and friends. The Flat Rock Playhouse Film Academy will be taught by J.J. Ruscella and guest instructors Joachim Schirmacher, Jon Graham and Caleb Forsyth - all armed with extensive credits in front of the camera as well as behind.

In addition to week-long camps, Flat Rock Playhouse Studio 52 will present a series of Saturday Morning Snapshots focusing on such topics as How to Make a Movie with your Smartphone or Tablet; Stage Combat, Clowning and Musical Theatre Workshops with the cast of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and Gypsy.

For adults, Flat Rock Playhouse Studio 52 will be presenting two week-long “MasterCamps – Where the Professionals Train the Professionals.” Jem Schofield, an accomplished producer, director of photography, educator and founder of the C47 | The Filmmaker’s Intensive, will take residence at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown in June to teach a filmmaking camp for adults where they will learn the entire filmmaking process from the words on a page to the final shot. Schofield’s client base includes Canon USA Inc, The New York Times, TED and Apple. No prior filmmaking experience is necessary to attend.

Led by Jeff Wirth, the second masterclass session is a one week MasterCamp on Dramatic Improv for advanced actors. Wirth has consulted with Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Disney Imagineering and the New York Film Festival.

Date night? Need a sitter? Parents are encouraged to check out Flat Rock Fun Nights from June 17 through August 7. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., experienced instructors will be on hand for an exciting night of theatre and games for rising first through seventh graders.

For those traveling from out of the area to attend Studio 52, the Millhouse Lodge on West Blue Ridge Road in Flat Rock has been selected as the primary hotelier for classes held at the Robin R. Farquhar Educational Building located on property at Flat Rock Playhouse. Special discounts for students will apply; please call 800.736.6073 for more information.

For those traveling for the MasterCamps t the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, special discounts for lodging at the Inn on Church in Hendersonville have been arranged at the Inn on Church in downtown Hendersonville. Those interested should call 828.696.2001.

For a detailed overview of class descriptions, pricing and schedule, please visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org/education.