A fresh trove of fun arts classes for fall has just been announced by ArtPlay.
ArtPlay offers arts classes for all age groups. An array of dance, including street jazz, swing, ballet and musical theater, and storytelling, knitting, hand sewing, origami, journaling, group guitar, improv comedy, music production, podcasting, and more are on offer this fall.
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. Class fees begin at $75, 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.
Pre-K classes
Once Upon a Paintbrush, for ages 2-4 years plus guardian, with teaching artist Alley Bulka. Class meets Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Oct. 5-Nov. 23. In this class, young artists will explore an exciting new story each week and use their imaginations to create a fun and engaging art project that brings a new dimension to the enchanting world of books. Cost is $80 for one child and guardian.
Glitter, Green and Gold, for ages 4-6 plus guardian, with teaching artist Alley Bulka. Class meets Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 5-Nov. 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 $80 for one child and guardian.
Creative Movement, for ages 3-5, with teaching artist Brooke Lofton. Class meets Tuesdays from 10-10:45 a.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. In this class, students will explore creativity through movement to music and rhythms. Activities in this class will promote body and sensory awareness, physical fitness, and self-esteem. Cost is $80.
Primary Ballet, for ages 4-6, with teaching artist Brooke Lofton. Class meets Saturdays from 9-9:45 a.m. Oct. 5-Nov. 23. Beginning students are introduced to classical ballet, fundamental positions and movements to build their foundation for dance. Cost is $80.
Elementary/Middle classes
ArtPlay Kids Acting, for ages 7-12, with teaching artist Darrell Revel. Class meets Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 5-Nov. 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 $100.
Street Jazz, for ages 10-14, with teaching artist Tiffany Davis. Class meets Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 5. Street jazz is a high-energy fusion of jazz dance and elements of hip-hop dance. This class will focus on jazz technique partnered with the intricate styling that hip-hop dance has to offer. The class will conclude with a short combination that includes improvisation. Cost is $75.
Origin Stories: Discover Your Superhero, for ages 7-12, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 2-Nov. 20. There is no shortage of heroes and superheroes all around us, from movies and TV to books and especially in real life. In this beginner drawing class, students will create comics based on their very own world and create superheroes, villains, sidekicks and more. Cost is $100.
Origami, for ages 7-12 with guardian, with teaching artist Deborah Strevy. Class meets Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 7. This family-friendly class will teach the art of paper folding, with instruction and models for every skill level. Class will focus on mastering several “bases” that are the foundations for many models. Students will choose from traditional and non-traditional models such as animals, flowers and geometric figures. Cost is $110.
The Formidable Dancer, for ages 10-18, with teaching artist Reid Watson. Class meets Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 5-Nov. 23. 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, discuss proper audition attire and etiquette, learn tips on how to pick up combinations quickly, and explore different styles of theater dance. Cost is $150.
Yarn Heads, for ages 10-14, with teaching artist Mary Kaiser. Class meets Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. Knitting is no longer your grandma’s game. Learn the basics of knitting and embark on an exciting new hobby. Knit special presents for those who mean the most to you, or create something exciting for yourself. Cost is $80 plus materials.
Group Guitar A, for ages 9-12, with teaching artist Carlos Pino. Class meets Thursdays 5-6 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 21. Ever wanted to learn guitar but didn’t know where to start? Do you learn better surrounded by fun friends? Then this class is for you. Whether you’re a novice or intermediate, joining this group will ignite your guitar-playing dreams. Cost is $100.
Teens/High school classes
Swing and Shout Jr., for ages 13-17, with teaching artist Ben Dill. Class meets Thursdays 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 7. The Roaring ’20s are about to be back, and now is your chance to dance like the greats. Spend your Thursdays with ArtPlay and Steel City Swing and learn the basics of exciting and mesmerizing swing dancing. Cost is $75.
Journaling: A Journey to You, for ages 14-17, with teaching artist Tina Braziel. Class meets Tuesdays 4:30-6 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. Dear diary … today I started to find myself through the art of journaling. In this class, learn different journaling techniques, exercises, tools and resources. The many benefits to journaling include mental wellness and creating your own autobiography. Cost is $80.
Group Guitar B, for ages 13-16, with teaching artist Carlos Pino. Class meets Thursdays 6-7 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 21. Ever wanted to learn guitar but didn’t know where to start? Do you learn better surrounded by fun friends? Then this class is for you. Whether you’re a novice or intermediate, joining this group will ignite your guitar-playing dreams. Cost is $100.
Music Production for Teens, for ages 10-16, with teaching artist Rynea Soul. Class meets Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. 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. It will introduce 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 $100.
ArtPlay Musical Theatre Intensive, Musical Theatre Workshop: Vocal Audition and Song Interpretation, for ages 10-18, with teaching artist Valerie Accetta, head of Musical Theatre, UAB Department of Theatre. Class will meet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 21-22, Oct. 12, 2019, and Jan. 11, 2020. Join Theatre UAB’s Valerie Accetta and ArtPlay as you explore the world of musical theater through vocal auditions. Build your audition book, develop a character and learn to showcase your talent through 16-32 bars of music. This workshop, which is one of four in this series, will cover a lot of ground. (Students who wish to take part in the New York City Spring Break Trip from March 24-28, 2020, must take the vocal workshop with Accetta unless special arrangements are made or they have been on the trip in previous years.) A showcase for friends and family is planned at the ASC in May 2020. Cost is $200. Register for all four musical theater workshops to receive $25 off the package.
ArtPlay Musical Theatre Intensive, Musical Theatre Workshop: Scene Work, for ages 10-18. Class will meet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Dive deep into scene work. This workshop, which is the second of four in this series, will address cold reads, working with scene partners and acting for auditions. (Students who wish to take part in the New York City Spring Break Trip from March 24-28, 2020, must take the vocal workshop with Accetta unless special arrangements are made or they have been on the trip in previous years.) Cost is $75. Register for all four musical theater workshops to receive $25 off the package.
ArtPlay Musical Theatre Intensive, Musical Theatre Workshop: Choreography, for ages 10-18. Class will meet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. Dance, in the world of musical theater, is very important. Imagine some of your favorite shows without the soul-stirring dance numbers. This workshop, which is the third of four in this series, will address choreography auditions, learning combinations and dance in relation to character development. (Students who wish to take part in the New York City Spring Break Trip from March 24-29, 2020, must take the vocal workshop with Accetta unless special arrangements are made or they have been on the trip in previous years.) Cost is $75. Register for all four musical theater workshops to receive $25 off the package.
ArtPlay Musical Theatre Intensive, Musical Theatre Workshop: Headshots, for ages 10-18. Class will meet from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. First impressions are important. Have your headshots done by photographer Tammy Stringfellow so you can attach them to your resume. Cost is $50. Register for all four musical theater workshops to receive $25 off the package.
Adult classes
The Acting Studios, for age 16-adult, with teaching artist Susan McCain. Class meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 2-Dec. 11. McCain follows the legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with sensory work and focusing on nailing that tricky audition piece. Cost is $160.
Calligraphy And Then Some, for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 2-Nov. 20. 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 $125 plus materials.
Introduction to Improv Comedy, for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Chris Davis. Class meets Mondays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 7-Dec. 9. 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 $125.
Intro to Podcasting, for ages 18-adult, with teaching artist Drew Romanowski. Class meets Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 7-Nov. 11. In six weeks, you and a partner will learn the ins and outs of podcasting and walk away with the first episode of your very own podcast. From the spark of an idea to putting a podcast in motion, this class will prepare you to share your stories with the world. Cost is $80.
Swing and Shout, for ages 18-adult, with teaching artist Ben Dill. Class meets Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 7. The Roaring ’20s are about to be back, and now is your chance to dance like the greats. Spend your Thursdays with ArtPlay and Steel City Swing and learn the basics of exciting and mesmerizing swing dancing. Cost is $80.
Drawing 101, for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. This introductory drawing course introduces students to a variety of classic drawing materials and techniques. Projects include sketching, still life drawing, drawing from nature, portraiture and cartooning. Full of one-on-one attention, this course offers opportunities for improvement at any skill level. Cost is $130 plus materials.
A Story’s Purpose, for ages 18-adult, with teaching artist Deborah Strevy. Class meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 3-Nov. 7. This entertaining and enlightening storytelling class will allow participants to develop, share and explore their own unique abilities to communicate and express creativity and thoughts. Whether you are new to storytelling, or an experienced storyteller, the group dynamics of this class will make the experience one that is satisfying and enlightening for you both as an individual and as part of a group. Cost is $95.
A Stitch in Time
This fall ArtPlay introduces yoga in the AEIVA galleries from 5:30-7 pm Mondays, Sept. 16-Nov. 23. , for ages 17-adults, with teaching artist Mary Kaiser. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. You don’t need a sewing machine to create functional or decorative objects from fabric. Hand sewing is a versatile art form that allows for a variety of textile manipulations almost impossible to replicate on a machine. Each week, participants will learn a new method of construction resulting in a personal sample encyclopedia for future reference. Cost is $100.
Gallery Yoga at UAB’s AEIVA, for ages 17-adult, with teaching artist Mollie Erickson. Class meets Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 16-Nov. 23. Join ArtPlay as it invades the innovative spaces of the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts with our own creative way of doing yoga! Classes will be held at AEIVA, and drop-ins are welcome. Cost is $80. Each drop-in class is $15.
Intro to Music Production, for ages 17-adult, with teaching artist Rynea Soul. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. 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 $100.