+Comedy 1 for Kids/Teens: Make 'em Laugh (ages 8 - 14)
   Teacher: Caitlin Bieda

Whether you feel like you are a natural comedian or enjoy telling puns, embark on the rules of comedy.  Come play with us as we learn what makes something funny on stage…and what doesn’t.  Learn the classic bits and gags and how to execute them.  Experiment with a variety of comic characters, discover your individual attributes and strengths, and create your own unique repertoire of characters within the context of various comedic monologues.  So come join the club, and let’s “make ‘em laugh”.

Dance 6 for Kids/Teens: Dance Styles (ages 8 - 14)
   Teacher: Kimberly Strong

Up for a challenge? Take a whirlwind tour through the world of dance. This class focuses on discovering many different styles of dance, learning a new discipline each week. Styles may include Hip Hop, Bollywood, Modern, Interpretive, Ballet, African, Musical Theater, Fosse, Jazz, Latin and others. Be ready to get your grove on in this fast paced tour through creative styles of dance and movement.

+Tune Town 3: Toy Story (ages 6 - 7)
   Teacher: Rebecca Muszynski

From the Skate Park (where kids learn balance and spacing) to the Post Office (where kids learn about 'delivering' their lines), from the Bakery (where kids 'cook' up some 'sweet' dance moves) to the Clothe-a-Torium (Hats! Wigs! Costumes galore!), this new curriculum for your 6-7 year old will be the talk of your town for months to come. An age-appropriate, learner-based curriculum, Tune Town tackles Audition Preparation, Dance, Acting, and Singing, all with pair-share ice breakers, creatively immersive group activites, and fun-blasted games. After being introudced to the wonders of Tune Town, kids will experience a Red Carpet Premiere, what its like to be a pirate on the high seas, even a trip to the rejoicifyingly green land of Oz! This age group is not eligible to audition for the session production.

Comedy 1 for Kids (ages 8 - 12)
   Teacher: Lisa Harrop

Whether you feel like you are a natural comedian or enjoy telling puns, embark on the rules of comedy.  Come play with us as we learn what makes something funny on stage…and what doesn’t.  Learn the classic bits and gags and how to execute them.  Experiment with a variety of comic characters, discover your individual attributes and strengths, and create your own unique repertoire of characters within the context of various comedic monologues.  So come join the club, and let’s “make ‘em laugh”. 

+Musical Theater 2 for Kids: Oliver (ages 9 - 12)
   Teacher: Michele Christensen

Pre-requisite: 1 musical theater class, or 3 classes of dance, drama or voice
Take your singing, dancing and acting skills to the next level and be challenged while having a blast! Musical Theater II will explore a variety of popular styles in musical theater. Learn how to capture your audience when you sing a breathtaking ballad and how to keep your energy high while dancing in a big toe-tapping number. Everyone will get a chance to shine in high-energy small group numbers as well as show-stoppin’ ensemble numbers in our dynamic end-of-session showcase!

*Drama 1 for Teens: Character Development (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Kimberly Strong

Jump into the world of acting & drama. Build the foundation of all theatrical performances by learning how to build a character and approach a scene. You'll also delve into the history of theater and trace it's roots to modern day plays. Whether you're portraying Miley Cyrus or Abraham Lincoln, every student will be prepared to act like a character!

Voice 10 for Teens: Project Chorale (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Beth Argot

Pre-requisite: Enrolled in Project Chorale Winter 2013 session
Set the bar higher and strengthen your vocal technique with this 2 session vocal class. The goal of PC is to elevate the quality of vocal training in Spotlight by creating a community of dedicated students and teachers who want to use their talents to glorify God through the art form of various choral styles. You will continue challenging music from each session while adding in more pieces in preparation for performance.

Drama 2 for Kids: Heroes and Villians (ages 8 - 12)
   Teacher: Samantha Ford

Pre-requisite: 1 drama class
Take your acting skills to the next level in this challenging drama class. Build on previous experience and create authentic emotion, genuine relationships, engage in environment and build dramatic tension in scenes. Learn how to get into a character’s head and make it your own or build a character from scratch. Engage in a variety of dramatic styles from skits, plays & more. This class is a great opportunity to stop pretending and start acting!

Voice 2 for Kids: Rogers and Hammerstein (ages 8 - 12)
   Teacher: Bonnie Sprague

Pre-requisite: 1 voice class
Take your vocal expertise to the next level and explore analyzing your character and how they would deliver a song. Whether you want to perform Bubble-gum pop, sweeping ballads or country blue grass, these techniques will strengthen your voice and performances. Incorporate acting/character skills in your songs and perform pitch-perfectly at showcase.

Voice 2 for Kids/Teens: Performing for the ONE! (ages 10 - 14)
   Teacher: Ann Schwaar

Pre-requisite: 1 voice class
Take your vocal expertise to the next level and explore analyzing your character and how they would deliver a song. Whether you want to perform Bubble-gum pop, sweeping ballads or country blue grass, these techniques will strengthen your voice and performances. Incorporate acting/character skills in your songs and perform pitch-perfectly at showcase.

Improv 5 for Teens: Improvapalooza (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Matt Archibald

Requirement to be on Improvapalooza Team; Pre-req: Improv 4: Improvapalooza Prep and Selection
This class will prepare students to compete on their area's Improvapalooza team in downtown Chicago. This class rehearses once a week during the Spring session, with continued rehearsals through the beginning of summer until departing for the Improvapalooza competition. Continue to create characters and environments, group think, accepting offers and playing off your teammates, and perfect/plan for the official games for Improvapalooza. As a part of this trip, teammates will be required to fundraise. For more info on details regarding the Improvapalooza program, trip, and/or eligibility, email rsimpson@spotlight.org

Dance 10: Project Dance (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Elle Sprague

Pre-requisite: Enrolled in Winter 2013 Project Dance
For seasoned students, Project Dance is a 3 session progressive dance journey. Students will receive intense training in technique and raise the bar on their dance performance. The goal of PD is to elevate the quality of dance training in Spotlight by creating a community of dedicated students and teachers who want to use their talents to glorify God through the art form of various dance styles.  Students are encouraged to attend a summer Project Dance Camp offering workshops and a dance concert.

+Musical Theater 1 for Teens: West Side Story (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Denise Lanier

This class will help strengthen you as an actor, singer, and dancer while developing the confidence you need to succeed. We'll dive into some of your favorite musicals and tackle the numbers that you've just been dying to perform. You'll learn new techniques that will sharpen your skills, help you stand out at your next audition, and give you the confidence you need to take the spotlight.

Drama 8 for Teens: Acting Styles (ages 12 - 18)
   Teacher: Marita Kovarik

Pre-requisite 3 drama or musical theater classes
Required texts:  Sanford Meisner on Acting and Sanford Meisner Approach: An Actor’s Workbook
Okay, actors. Let's get real. We’ve all seen performances that gave us goose bumps and made us laugh and cry. And you want to know how do they make it look so real. This class will not only answer that question but will teach you how to evoke the same reaction. Learn the principles of basic acting from a purely personal and realistic perspective. This technique will give you the tools to break bad habits, strip yourself free of artificiality, and embrace yourself and your scene partner completely. Welcome to the world of Sanford Meisner.