New arts classes for all ages and fun workshops have just been announced for winter and spring at ArtPlay, including a poetry and chocolate tasting workshop, creative voice, music production, improv comedy, musical theater, and much more.
ArtPlay, part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, provides lifelong learning through the arts to people of all ages. With engaging weekly classes in fall and spring, summer camps, and fun, educational events for the whole family, ArtPlay connects the community with the arts.
Registration is open now. Workshop fees begin at $15, and class fees begin at $100, with a UAB discount available when registering by phone. Explore ArtPlay’s offerings online at www.alysstephens.org/classes or call 205-975-4769. Private instruction is also available in a variety of instruments, as well as group classes provided by local teaching artists.
Workshops
Prepare for Valentine’s Day or anytime with a Love Poems and Chocolate Tasting workshop, Friday, Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. ArtPlay has partnered with Honeycreeper Chocolates to provide a delicious chocolate tasting. Come as a couple, a single or a group; all romantics and chocolate lovers are welcome. Cost is $20.
ArtPlay presents a Presidents Day Workshop for ages 7-12 on Monday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with an extended care option. School is out, so celebrate with something fun. Join some of ArtPlay’s favorite teaching artists and create four projects for a special day of art making. Cost is $100, with $30 for extended care before and after the camp.
Celebrate Mardi Gras with a family mask-making workshop Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m.-noon. Celebrate and learn the history of Carnaval while making your own Mardi Gras mask. Cost is $15 per person.
The Art of Origami workshop for families is Saturday, March 23, from 1-3 p.m. Learn the art of paper folding with foundations and traditional and non-traditional models. Cost is $15 per person.
Hip-Hop Recording for Teens workshop is Saturday, Feb. 2, from 1-3 p.m. This class offers a glimpse into the world of beat making and provides students with the skills to make beats for a variety of genres such as hip-hop, electronic dance music and pop. Cost is $20 per person.
Pre-K classes
Me & You & Paint & Glue for ages 2-3 years with guardian, with teaching artist Alley Bulka. Class meets Saturdays from 10-10:45 a.m. Feb. 2-March 23. Join Birmingham’s favorite “Wacky Nanny” and create new masterpieces through simple visual arts projects. Cost is $130 for one child and guardian.
Creative Movement for ages 3-5, with teaching artist Alessia Lovreglio. Class meets Tuesdays from 10-10:45 a.m. Feb. 5-April 2. In this class, students will use their imaginations to bring stories and characters to life through movement to live music and rhythms. Activities in this class will promote body and sensory awareness, physical fitness, and self-esteem. Cost is $130.
Creative Wacky Wonders for ages 4-6, with teaching artist Alley Bulka. Class meets Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m. Feb. 2-March 23. This mixed-media art class with Bulka, known as the “Wacky Nanny,” focuses on imagination and creation. Children will be led through fun visual arts projects that will open their creative minds and allow their ideas to come to life. Cost is $130.
Primary Ballet, for ages 4-6, with teaching artist Brooke Lofton. Class meets Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. Feb. 2-March 23. Beginning students are introduced to classical ballet, fundamental positions and movements to build their foundation for dance. Cost is $130.
Elementary/Middle classes
ArtPlay Kids Acting, for ages 7-12, with teaching artist Darrell Revel. Class meets Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 2-March 23. Actor and educator Revel will guide participants through the basics of theater games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, stage makeup application, and voice and diction. Cost is $140.
Intro to Musical Theater, for ages 7-12, with Red Mountain Theatre Company. Class meets Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 7-April 11. Sing and dance in Broadway-style numbers while discovering the rich history of the American musical theater tradition. Learn to become a triple threat by honing skills in acting, singing and dancing. Cost is $140.
Nature As Art, for ages 10-14, with teaching artist Nina Willis. Class meets Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 21-April 18. This class will help participants find ways to create art, including paper making, print making and dyes, using what you can find simply by stepping outside into your yard, local park or around the city. Cost is $140.
The Formidable Dancer, Section A, for ages 7-12, with teaching artist Reid Watson. Class meets Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Feb. 5-April 16. In this class, students will focus on dance techniques used in musical theater auditions and productions. Students will learn what directors and choreographers are looking for in auditions, will discuss proper audition attire and etiquette, learn tips on how to pick up combinations quickly, and explore different styles of theater dance. Students will also learn the importance of knowing the characters and plot line in order to make their dancing an extension of the story. Cost is $150.
Teens/High school classes
The Formidable Dancer, Section B, for ages 13-18, with teaching artist Reid Watson. Class meets Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 5-April 16. In this class, students will focus on dance techniques used in musical theater auditions and productions. Students will learn what directors and choreographers are looking for in auditions, will discuss proper audition attire and etiquette, learn tips on how to pick up combinations quickly, and explore different styles of theater dance. Students will also learn the importance of knowing the characters and plot line in order to make their dancing an extension of the story. Cost is $150.
Zine Creation, for ages 14-17, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 6-April 3. Homemade “zines” have been around for a long time. These handmade magazines are generally dedicated to a particular subject that sparks the creator’s interest. The possibilities and creativity are endless. Cost is $140.
The Creative Voice, for ages 12-17, with teaching artist BeShaun Leavell. Class meets Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 7-March 14. Designed to help artists find their creative voice through spoken word art forms, this class will teach students to deliver a performance piece with projection and passion. Students will explore their own ability to create amazing art. Cost is $100.
| Registration is open now. Workshop fees begin at $15, and class fees begin at $100, with a UAB discount available when registering by phone. Explore ArtPlay’s offerings online at www.alysstephens.org/classes or call 205-975-4769. |
The Acting Studio for Young Actors, for ages 14-18, with teaching artist Susan McCain. Class meets Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 6-April 17. McCain follows the legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with sensory work and focusing on nailing that tricky audition piece. Cost is $140.
Improvisational Comedy for Teens, for ages 12-15, with teaching artist Chris Davis. Class meets Mondays from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 4-April 8. This class will teach the fundamentals of long-form improvisation, including how to create strong characters, play at the top of one’s intelligence and build strong comedic scenes together out of thin air. Cost is $120.
Intro to Music Production, for ages 10-16, with teaching artist La’Shondra Hemphill. Class meets Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. Feb. 5-April 9. This class offers a glimpse into the world of beat making and provides students with the skills to make beats for a variety of genres such as hip-hop, electronic dance music and pop. The workshop introduces students to four steps of beat production: digging, sampling, sequencing/mixing, and song arrangement. Students will work hands-on exclusively in FL Studio 12, using midi controllers to create a polished song from start to finish. Cost is $110.
Adult classes
The Acting Studios, for age 16-adult, with teaching artist Susan McCain. Class meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 6-April 17. McCain follows the legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with sensory work and focusing on nailing that tricky audition piece. Cost is $160.
Script Calligraphy, for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 6-April 3. The art of lettering is everywhere. Join Hughins as he guides students through an art that has become a career and a passion for him. Learn basic calligraphy technique and amazing new ways to turn everyday envelopes, signs, letters and notes into pieces of art. Cost is $160 plus materials.
Improvisational Comedy, for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Chris Davis. Class meets Mondays from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 4-April 8. This class will teach the fundamentals of long-form improvisation, including how to create strong characters, play at the top of one’s intelligence and build strong comedic scenes together out of thin air. Cost is $150.
The Creative Voice, for ages 18 and older, with teaching artist BeShaun Leavell. Class meets Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 7-March 14. Designed to help artists find their creative voice through spoken word art forms, this class will teach students to deliver a performance piece with projection and passion. Students will explore their own ability to create amazing art. Cost is $120.
Intro to Music Production, for ages 17 and older, with teaching artist La’Shondra Hemphill. Class meets Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 5-April 9. This class offers a glimpse into the world of beat making and provides students with the skills to make beats for a variety of genres such as hip-hop, electronic dance music and pop. The workshop introduces students to four steps of beat production: digging, sampling, sequencing/mixing, and song arrangement. Students will work hands-on exclusively in FL Studio 12, using midi controllers to create a polished song from start to finish. Cost is $140.