The CCT Academy Fall 2008

• If you have a copy of the brochure, there’s a brief registration form for you to fill out. You can mail this form or fax it to us.
• You can download a REGISTRATION FORM for CCT Academy from this website and mail or FAX it to us.
• You can call us to register over the phone. Our office number is 224-6673, and we can take calls between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.   

Unless otherwise noted in the class description, our classes are open to all. Our mission is to provide quality instruction and inspiration to a new generation of theatre artists and theatre enthusiasts. If your child has the desire to be in our classes, that’s what’s important to us.   

In order to help students let go of their inhibitions and develop a strong stage presence, we ask parents to wait outside the classroom. An exception to this rule is for grades K-2 classes: parents are welcome to stay in the theatre during the FIRST class meeting if their child is uncomfortable.  

Like improv classes, creative drama unleashes the power of play and play-making. The games that we use in these classes help teach theatre terms and skills. Our students learn to appreciate theatre, and, ultimately, they discover the magic of creating drama. Within the theme of the various classes, students learn how to use their bodies, voices and imaginations to develop characters and stories for the stage. Creative Drama work enhances self-esteem, creativity and problem-solving activities. The last day of class includes a sharing day for family and friends. Creative Drama classes require no experience and may be repeated many times.   

On the final day of most classes, the students and their families gather for a “sharing day.” This final performance is informal, and is meant to celebrate what the students have learned in the class. We don’t emphasize “special effects” in this performance: we encourage students to create their own costumes rather than spend any money. Please note that some classes for older students opt not to have a sharing day, and use all of their class time honing their skills.

Individual creative drama classes vary with the theme of the class, but all creative drama classes aim to teach the fundamentals of using the body, voice and imagination in the theatre. Like improv classes for older students, creative drama uses lots of theatre games. It may look like playtime to you, but it’s play with a purpose. These theatre games are meant to teach specific skills like concentration, focus, inventiveness, using the voice — or just to help overcome shyness. THEATRE SKILLS ARE LIFE SKILLS! At the beginning of your class you will receive information on what to expect from that particular class and instructor.

Please arrive early enough to check in with    the instructor but no more than 15 minutes before class. Although our instructors are usually at the class location early and will wait with your child until you get there, we are not a babysitting service, so please be as prompt as possible. If you are late and the teacher is forced to wait with your child a strict penalty of $25.00 extra per 15 minutes will be imposed.

Please let us know in advance if your child will miss any classes, so that the instructor can adjust his or her syllabus accordingly. Refunds cannot be made for missed classes.

Students must be at least five years old to be eligible to enroll in classes. We frequently offer a variety of MY GROWNUP AND ME creative drama classes for ages 3-5. Call us for more information (614-224-6673).

Our two-hour classes include a break time when the students are allowed to have something to eat and drink. Break time is not a lunch period — pack a light snack that can be consumed quickly.

Since all of our classes are physical, students should wear clothing that is easy to move in. We recommend sweat pants, t-shirts and tennis shoes. Please, no skirts or sandals. Shoes must be worn at all times in the classroom. And as the temperature of our locations vary, it is recommended that the child bring a sweatshirt/sweater with him/her as well.

We request that all parents arrive shortly before class ends. Please note that you must come into the building at the end of class to retrieve your child and check out with the instructor. Our first priority is our student’s safety. Students will not be permitted to wait outside. Please be prompt. If you are late and the teacher is forced to wait with your child a strict penalty of $25.00 extra per 15 minutes will be imposed.

Our office staff does not work on Saturdays, so if you have questions, we recommend that you call between 9:00am and 5:00pm on weekdays. If you need to contact your child during class via telephone, please request the instructors cell phone number at the beginning of the class or in the case of an emergency, and ONLY an emergency, the Education Director may be reached at 614-266-7659.

While your child may find that taking our classes helps them to feel more confident when auditioning, enrolling your student in classes does not guarantee casting or even preference for casting in our season or Summer productions. Please note auditions are open to children ages 10 and up. Moreover, CCT does not function as an agency for child actors. If you are interested in involving your child in paying acting or modeling ventures, we suggest you contact one of the local agencies in Central Ohio.

Most of our Academy classes have “Sharing Day” for the last class, when parents, family and friends are invited to observe all or part of the final class meeting. The program may include an informal performance or reading of a script, or you may simply watch the instructor lead the class in a series of theatre games and activities. NOT EVERY CLASS WILL PRESENT A “PLAY” OR OTHER LIKE PERFORMANCE FOR SHARING DAY. Each instructor will design the sharing day program based on the needs of each class.

If a performance is planned for sharing day (see Sharing Day info on the next page), this performance is intended to be very informal, and almost always done without any lights, sets, props or costumes. We know that it’s great fun to dress up in costumes, and this is an important aspect of the theatre. To that end, we encourage students to use their imaginations to find or create something that will help express their characters.
If students wish to use costumes in a sharing day, we stress these guidelines:
     • Students are not allowed to ask their parents to buy materials for costumes.
     • Students are not allowed to ask their parents to make their costumes.
If any props are required for a class, CCT will furnish them if available. Students are welcome to bring in props from home for use in a scene as well.

Memorization is never required, but encouraged. If we are using scripts, students will be permitted to carry them in their scene presentations. If a performance of a short play is planned, remember that this is an informal presentation! Your child has had a very limited time to rehearse for sharing day. The instructor may offer direction or suggestions during a scene.

On sharing day, we welcome your comments and suggestions as we will provide evaluation forms for you to fill out. If you don’t have time to fill out an evaluation form in class, please feel free to mail it to CCT at your convenience. 

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MORE QUESTIONS??
Contact Joelle Leigh Harris, our Education Director at
(614) 224-6673 ext. 26