Learn to act, dance or design, or nurture creativity with drawing, poetry, painting and more with new classes for 2017 at ArtPlay.
ArtPlay, part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, encompasses all of the center’s community education initiatives, providing lifelong learning through the arts to people of all ages.
With classes for every age group, plus educational events for the whole family to enjoy, ArtPlay aims to connect the community with the arts. Private instruction is also available in a variety of instruments, as well as group classes provided by local teaching artists. Class fees begin at $75; a $25 registration fee is waived for UAB family when registering by phone. Registration is open now. Explore ArtPlay’s offerings online at www.alysstephens.org/classes or call 205-975-4769.
ArtPlay is offering a special Cyber Monday deal: 20 percent off total class enrollment. The offer is not applicable to private lessons or valid with other offers.
Classes on offer for the winter/spring session in 2017 are:
Pre-K
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. 18-April 15. Join Birmingham’s favorite “Wacky Nanny” and create new masterpieces through simple visual arts projects. Cost is $125 for one child and guardian.
Creative Movement for ages 3-5, with teaching artist Mary Foshee with accompanist Barbara French. Class meets Tuesdays from 10-10:45 a.m., Jan. 17-March 7. 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 $150.
Creative Wacky Wonders for ages 4-6, with teaching artist Alley Bulka. Class meets Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m., Feb. 18-April 15. 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 $125.
3-D: Dream It! Design It! Do It! for ages 5-7, with teaching artist Lisa Dolensky. Class meets Saturdays from 10-11 a.m., Jan. 21-Feb. 11. Young artists will be inspired while learning about some of the greatest men and women creators, from Leonardo DaVinci and Beulah Henry to Walt Disney. Students will explore mixed media, sculpting activity centers using everyday objects, creative process exercises, art technique experimentation and more. Cost is $75.
Elementary/Middle
African Dance for ages 7-12, class meets Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m., Jan. 17-March 7.
African Dance for ages 13-adult, class meets Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m., Jan. 17-March 7.
This vibrant, high-energy class with teaching artist Sistah LaVondia Bryant-Square, the artistic director of Nathifa Dance Company, educates students on traditional dance of West Africa. Students will learn movement primarily from Guinea, Mali and the Ivory Coast that is rhythm-based, in conversation with live drums. Everyone is welcome; a partner or previous dance knowledge is not necessary. Cost for each class is $125.
Acting Out Theatre Workshops, with teaching artist Darrell Revel.
Section A: For ages 7-9, class meets Saturdays from 10-11 a.m., Jan. 21-March 11.
Section B: For ages 10-12, class meets Saturdays from 11:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Jan. 21-March 11. Actor and educator Revel will guide participants through the basics of theater. Students will learn games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, stage makeup application, and voice and diction. Best of all, students will get a chance to showcase their newly developed skills when the workshop culminates with a showcase production open to all parents and friends. Cost for each class is $130.
3-D: Dream It! Design It! Do It! for ages 8-11, with teaching artist Lisa Dolensky. Class meets Saturdays from 11 a.m.-noon, Jan. 21-Feb. 11. Young artists will be inspired while learning about some of the greatest men and women creators, from Leonardo DaVinci and Beulah Henry to Walt Disney. Students will explore mixed media, sculpting activity centers using everyday objects, creative process exercises, art technique experimentation and more. Cost is $75.
Intro to Musical Theatre for ages 7-12, with Red Mountain Theatre Company. Class meets Thursdays from 5-6 p.m., Jan. 19-March 23. 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 $150.
Bucket Beats, with teaching artist Teddy Hall Jr. For ages 7-10, class meets Wednesdays from 5-5:45 p.m., Jan. 18-Feb. 22. For ages 11-13, class meets Wednesdays from 6-6:45 p.m., Jan. 17-Feb. 21. Some of the world’s favorite percussionists started their training at home on everyday objects. Join local favorite Hall as he introduces his own style of rhythm and beginning percussion technique. Students should bring their own drumsticks. Cost is $100.
Beginning Drawing for ages 9-13, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m., Jan. 18-March 22. This class 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 $160.
Improvisational Comedy for Young Actors for teens, with teaching artist Chris Davis. Class meets Mondays from 5-6 p.m., Jan. 23-March 13. 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. This amazing art form is essential for the beginning actor. Cost is $160.
High School/Adult
Inside the Recording Studio for ages 15-18, with teaching artist Emanual Elinas. Class meets Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Jan. 21-Feb. 25. Explore the artistic role of the producer in the music-making process. Students will learn how to utilize music production techniques that will assist them in making quality recordings. In ArtPlay’s fully equipped media and recording room, students will work as a producer to explore their own beats and record their own masterpiece. Studio hours outside of class are available. Cost is $150.
Latin Social Dance for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Sergio Rodriguez. Class meets Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Jan. 21-March 25. Led by Cuban dance master Rodriguez, this vibrant class will teach various Latin social dance forms, including salsa, merengue, bachata and cha cha cha. Students will learn to understand and feel movement according to the respective music and rhythm styles, both in body and with a partner. Rodriguez will give cultural context to each dance form. Everyone is welcome; a partner or previous dance knowledge is not necessary. This is a perfect introduction to the social dance scene in Birmingham. Cost is $180.
Argentine Tango, with teaching artists Sara Alvarez and Roswell Pfister. Class meets Mondays from 6-7 p.m., Feb. 6-April 24, with a hiatus March 13 and 20. Learn Argentine tango from the talented “Dancing Doctors” Alvarez and Pfister. Learn about the cultural and historical roots of this beautiful dance form while learning movement and partnering technique. Each class will include a closing “practica” portion that allows for open dance with partners. Everyone is welcome; a partner or previous dance knowledge is not necessary. Cost is $180.
African Dance for ages 13-adult, with teaching artist Sistah LaVondia Bryant-Square, the artistic director of Nathifa Dance Company. Class meets Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m., Jan. 17-March 7. This vibrant, high-energy class educates students on the traditional dance of West Africa. Students will learn movement, primarily from Guinea, Mali and the Ivory Coast, that is rhythm-based, in conversation with live drums. Everyone is welcome; a partner or previous dance knowledge is not necessary. Cost is $125.
Calligraphy and Lettering for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Bo Hughins. Class meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 19-March 12. The art of lettering is everywhere; we walk past incredible masterpieces every day or open letters that took an artist’s eye to create. Join local artist Hughins as he guides students through an art form that has become his career and a passion. Learn basic calligraphy technique and amazing new ways to turn everyday envelopes, signs, letters and notes into pieces of art. Cost is $185 plus materials.
Rhythm and Moves for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Ashley Booker. Class meets Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m., Jan. 17-April 11. This fun and unconventional adult dance class will contain a colorful blend of styles influenced by street dance, new style and popular music. Lively choreography will be taught during each class, then danced a few times through with all the style and flavor students can muster. Cost is $160.
Beginning Watercolor for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist Andy Jordan. Class meets Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 17-March 21. Join local artist Jordan as he guides students through the basics of painting with watercolors. New images come to life as students learn washes, dry brush, and mixing and diluting techniques. Cost is $185 plus materials.
The Creative Voice for ages 16-adult, with teaching artist BeShaun Leavell. Class meets Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m., Jan. 18-March 8. In this class, designed to help artists find their creative voice, students will write and perform their own spoken word pieces. This class will teach students to deliver a performance piece with vocal projection and passion. Cost is $180.
Adult Ballet, with teaching artist Melissa Turnage. This class meets Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m., Jan. 18-March 22. Discover the joy of movement within the structures and ideas of ballet. This one-hour class is the perfect break from the workday to celebrate health and find inner joy through this classic dance form. No previous dance knowledge required. Cost is $150.
Improvisational Comedy for Adults, with teaching artist Chris Davis. Class meets Mondays from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 23-March 13. 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. This amazing art form is essential for the beginning actor. Cost is $180.
Poetry: The Art of Stealing, with teaching artist Tina Braziel. Class meets Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 31-March 21. Good poets borrow, great poets steal, according T.S. Eliot. In this class, take up his challenge by “stealing” the best moves of master poets to create your own original poems. Each week, students will compose a new poem by imitating some of the best aspects of a published poem or poems. A great class for the beginning or experienced poet. Cost is $180.