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Arts & Entertainment

JCC Introduces New Youth Performing Arts Program

New director announces reemergence of youth drama and dance classes at the JCC

The new Performing Arts Program at the has unveiled its upcoming opportunities for children ages three and a half through 12th grade. The program, which has classes beginning the first week of October, includes courses that range from preschool age Discovering Drama classes to Musical Mashup, an original musical program for middle and high school-age kids. Courses and musical participation in the program are all inclusive and do not require an audition. Among the courses offered are drama, improv, musical theatre and dance classes at the .

“My goal for this program is for us to provide quality performing arts training and to give students new and exciting opportunities,” said director Natasha Ransom. “In addition to performance skills, students walk away with valuable life skills-socialization, speaking in front of a group, working as part of an ensemble, expressing themselves, and having confidence!”

Ransom has a BA in Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University as well as past experience working with many local theatre companies such as Seattle Children’s Theatre, ,  and Stone Soup Theatre. Ransom, who is also a company member with both Jet City Improv and Wing-It productions, is a strong believer in the positive life lessons children learn from the dramatic arts.

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“Our classes not only educate young performers about the basic skills and techniques necessary to perform, but also prepare them for success in their everyday lives,” explained Ransom.

She describes the creation of  the Youth Performing Arts Program as a work in progress and encourages the Mercer Island community to express their needs and desires to aid in constructing a program that benefits as many children as possible.

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“This program is special because it is still new and growing, and I am 100% open to the suggestions and ideas of parents and their children,” said Ransom. “The program should fulfill their needs, whether that be a class in Improv or one in hip hop, we want to know.  I want the programming to always be directly meeting the interests of our students.”

To encourage new participation in the program, the JCC if offering a $25 gift certificate to their center to anyone who signs up and refers a friend to sign up with them.

Current courses include:

Discovering Drama

  • Ages 3 ½ - 4 ½
  • Tuesdays, 12:45-1:30 p.m. – begins Oct. 4
  • Ages 4 ½ - 6
  • Wednesdays, 12:45-1:30PM – begins October 5
  • Classes are centered on a popular book. The last class will include a shared performance.

Adventures in Acting

  • Grades 1-3
  • Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15 p.m. – begins Oct. 5
  • Class with introduce children to basics of theatre through games and other fun techniques. Kids will work as an ensemble and will share an end of session performance.

Ballet and Theater Jazz 

  • Ages 6-10 years – begins Oct. 6
  • Thursdays, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
  • Children will learn the basics of ballet and jazz as well as other dances including their own creations.

Improv 101

  • Grades 4-6
  • Fridays, 4:15-5:15 p.m. – begins Oct. 14
  • Children will learn the fundamentals of improv through games and exercises. Class includes field trips and an end of session performance.

Musical Mashup

  • Grades 7-12
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30 p.m. – begins Oct. 18
  • No audition necessary. Middle and high school-aged children can be part of this original musical featuring songs from popular musicals such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, RENT, Wicked and more.

For more information and to register go to www.sjcc.org. To contact Natasha Ransom directly email natashar@sjcc.org

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