Classes For Kids
The below pictorial story depicts how many ways kids can get involved here at Gateway Acting School.
Les Misérables
WORKSHOPS..........
In May and June we held career workshops for those interested in learning auditioning techniques and meeting top Agents and Casting Directors from NY. Participants were first coached and received feedback from Gateway's staff to return to audition for the panel. Casting Director and Gateway's Artistic Director, Robin Joy Allan was joined by Jessica Kelly, Casting Director of PRECIOUS, PINEAPPLE EXRESS, THE WRESTLER, and MERCY, Charlie Wright, from Wright Talent, Rachel Altman from Abrams Artists Youth Division, David Cash, from Henderson Hogan Agency and Carolina Margarella from CESD, Manhattan Agencies. A career seminar followed allowing participants to ask questions.
Kaylee Spano going over her music with Manhattan Musical Director, Steven Gross,
Associate Conductor on South Pacific at Lincoln Center.
Colleen Kelly auditions for the Panel.
Ms Altman. Ms. Kelly, Mr. Wright, Ms Allan discussing the potential of the participants.
Les Misérables
The Chosen Few
Over 160 young people from all over Long Island auditioned for this production. Joining the cast were veteran Gateway Acting School students (some who have studied with us for 5-10 years) playing Eponine, Javert, Enjolras and both Thenardiers, a relatively new student playing Cosette, and some new discoveries, playing Fantine, Marius, Jean Valjean and Gavroche.
*Miles Whittaker, *Michelle Veintimilla, *Colette Girardin, *Madie Mulvey, Emery Kelly,*Jamel Hudson, *Amy Bredes, Andrew Vertucci, *Liam Hoffmeister. * = Students
Alyssa Castellano, Louie Rinaldi 5 year and 9 year Students.
Joe Wood, Marius and 7 year Student, Michelle Veintimilla.
Classes
If you were in a class over the last few years, it might have looked like this:
(left) This year's July Session of Broadway Songs, Final Performance in the smaller Barn Theater, songs from Hairspray.
(right) Last Summer Joe Piscopo, starring in Gateway's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, spoke to the Advanced Students.
Children's Theater
2009 production of Wizard of Oz. Gateway Acting School Students Starring.
(from left) Louie Rinaldi, 9 year student, graduating this year and off to De Paul University for a BFA in Acting. Teresa Celentano, now at PACE University, veteran of Television and Commercials, Jamel Hudson, Dominic Mondi and Kevin Spellman current Students.
If you want to get to know us a little better, you can scroll down and read the frequently asked questions. if you want to find out if there is a class for you, you can scroll down and read the class descriptions. if you want to register, you can download the information packet and fill out the application. you can always email us to find out if there is room in the class or classes you would like to take.
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We conduct most of our communications by email, as we have sporadic office hours on days when classes are not ongoing. Click the link to email us with any questions or concerns: artsoffice@gatewayplayhouse.com . We do not have a registrar for the Acting School Division available in the Gateway Main Office on a full time basis, therefore, we do not handle enrollments in person.
(631) 286-9014 OR (631) 286-0555 EXT: 2122.
Please do not visit without an appointment.
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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
TIMES and SCHEDULES
FALL 2010 & WINTER/SPRING 2011
FALL classes begin September 20th & 25th
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
SATURDAYS 10-11:30
THEATER GAMES (Ages 6-8) A basic acting class specifically geared for our little ones. Stage awareness and theater fundamentals are taught using all types of imagination and performing exercises. Character inventing, short speech writing, made-up commercials, and fairy tale enactments are some of what the class sessions will entail. Students will perform in a short play or exercise at the end of the session.
SATURDAYS 10-11:30
ACTING BASICS (Ages 9-12) Fundamental acting skills are taught through the use of serious and comedic improvisations and technique exercises. Script work is used as the class progresses. Students discover their unique voices and inner natures. Scenes or monologues are performed at the end of each session.
SATURDAYS 12:00-2:00
BROADWAY SONGS (Ages 8-11) Students work on acting (intention, expression and ease) singing (breathing, control and diction) and choreography while performing in group numbers from Broadway shows. A specific show is worked on and performed at the end of each session. Examples of shows chosen: Hairspray, Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver and Peter Pan.
SATURDAYS 12:00-2:00
ACTING BASICS (Teens) Fundamental acting skills are taught through the use of serious and comedic improvisations and technique exercises. Script work is used as the class progresses. Students discover their unique voices and inner natures. Scenes or monologues are performed at the end of each session.
SATURDAYS (AGES 12-14) 2:15-4:15
MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMANCE (Ages 12-14) Students tap into their full potential and have their performances rise to a professional audition standard. Strong and unique audition pieces from our extensive library are chosen. During individual solo work, we focus on truthful expression and lyric interpretation, while perfecting vocal techniques. With consistent class, students can build a repertoire of audition material.
SATURDAYS 2:15-4:15
TV & FILM AUDITIONING (Ages 9-12)
This class will work on scenes from currently auditioning TV series, pilots and feature films. Gateway has access to projects with casting ongoing. Kids will be coached based on their preparation and will advance to new scenes each week as their skill level progresses. They will learn how to prepare quickly in order to be competitive. Acceptance will be based on prior participation, recommendation, or audition.
SATURDAYS 4:30-6:30
INTERMEDIATE ACTING (Ages 9-11 or 12-14) (in separate groups)
We work on creating full and interesting characters and the characteristics, intentions and goals of these characters within the given circumstances. We use situational and role-playing improvisations and technique exercises along with monologue and scene work. There will be technique warms ups as well.
MONDAYS 4:00-6:30
MUSICAL THEATER PERF. (Jazz Standards/Broadway Pop/Rock Emphasis) (Robin Joy Allan Instructor) (Ages 15-18) Students tap into their full potential and have their performances rise to a professional audition standard. Strong and unique audition pieces from our extensive library are chosen. During individual solo work, we focus on truthful expression and lyric interpretation, while perfecting vocal techniques. Students can build a repertoire of audition material.
MONDAYS 4:15-6:15
TV & FILM AUDITIONING (Michael Baker, Instructor) (Ages 13-16) This class will work on scenes from currently auditioning TV series, pilots and feature films. Scenes will be handed out on a regular basis. Much of the material will be from ongoing TV Series and Films. Students will be coached based on their preparation and will advance to new scenes each week as their skill level progresses. They will learn how to prepare quickly in order to be competitive.
MONDAYS 7:15-9:15
ADVANCED ACTING (Michael Baker, Instructor) (Ages 15-18)
For the experienced performer who wants to fine-tune their individual style and technique. We work on scene study, playwright’s intentions, sub-text, character relationships and emotional commitment to the given circumstances. A show of scenes is presented at the end of each session.
MONDAYS 7:15-9:15
ADVANCED AUDITIONING/COLLEGE PREP COMBINATION CLASS (Robin Joy Allan, Instructor) (Ages 16-18) This class will work on scenes from currently auditioning TV series, pilots and feature films. Scenes will be emailed prior to class, enabling students to work at home with a set of guidelines and methods shared by their instructor. They will be coached based on their preparation and will advance to new scenes each week as their skill level progresses. They will learn how to prepare quickly in order to be competitive.
For those students who are high school seniors, monologues from classic and contemporary plays from our large library are chosen according to each student’s personality, type and strength. They will be critiqued and coached to meet the standards of competitive College and University drama department entrance auditions. This class is an accelerated class; acceptance will be based on prior participation, recommendation, or audition.
THEATER GAMES
MUSICAL THEATER TV & FILM AUDITIONING ADVANCED ACTING ADVANCED AUDITIONING/COLLEGE PREP - COMBO CLASS
SATURDAYS
09/25 10/02 10/09 10/16 10/23 10/30
11/06 11/13 11/20 12/04 12/11 12/18
01/29 02/05 02/12
02/26 03/05 03/12
03/19 03/26 04/02
04/09 04/23 04/30
05/07 05/14
MONDAYS
09/20 09/27 10/04 10/11 10/18 10/25
11/01 11/08 11/15 11/22 12/06 12/13
01/31 02/07 02/14
02/28 03/07 03/14
03/21 03/28 04/04
04/11 04/25 05/02
05/09 05/16
HOLIDAY DATES - NO CLASS 11/27 11/29 02/19 02/21
04/16 04/18
TOTAL SESSION FEES
SATURDAY
10:00-11:30 THEATER GAMES (6-8) OR
10:00-11:30 ACTING BASICS (9-12)
1.5 HOURS/WEEK
SATURDAY
12:00-2:00 ACTING BASICS (TEENS) OR
2:15-4:15 TV & FILM AUDITIONING (9-12) OR
4:30-6:30 INTERMEDIATE ACTING (9-11, 12-14)
2 HOURS/WEEK
SATURDAY
12:00-2:00 BROADWAY SONGS (8-11) OR
2:15-4:15 MUSICAL THEATER (12-14)
2 HOURS/WEEK
MONDAY
4:15-6:15 ADVANCED ACTING (15-18) OR
7:15-9:15 TV & FILM AUDITIONING (13-16)
2 HOURS/WEEK
MONDAY
4:00-6:30 MUSICAL THEATER (15-18)
2.5 HOURS/WEEK
MONDAY
7:15-9:15 ADVANCED AUDITIONING/COLLEGE PREP - COMBO CLASS (16-18)
2 HOURS/WEEK
All the above Information can be downloaded
in our FALL 2010 & WINTER/SPRING 2011 APPLICATION packet,
in which is included an application to fill out and send in.
CLICK the links in red below
to download full
SESSION INFORMATION.
2010 FALL & 2011 WINTER/SPRING INFORMATION AND APPLICATION word document
(choose this link if you have word installed on your computer.
it may view differently depending on your browser settings, but you can save it and alter it, fill it out and send it back to us via email for early placement, or mail it in with the deposit.)
2010 FALL & 2011 WINTER/SPRING INFORMATION AND APPLICATION adobe PDF
(this document is best for printing, however, because it is pdf, you will not be able to fill it out on your computer, you can print it however and then fill it out, to send thru the mail.)
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2004 SHOWCASE CLASS |
2009 SUMMER COLD READING CLASS |
F.A.Q.'S
Frequently asked questions, but please, if we've missed something, email us.
Is there a show that you "put on"?
No, not within the acting school division. There is an open presentation within the last class of each session, where family and friends can view progress and class work, which changes with each level of study. Gateway Playhouse MainStage will sometimes have children's roles open in which the school participants are invited to audition.
Can my child audition for a Main Stage show?
When we produce shows on our Main Stage, that require casting children, by this, we mean children's roles, such as the young roles in Annie, or Sound Of Music, we audition our students first and then open the auditions to the public. Our Main Stage is a fully professional theater that employs members of Actors Equity and Musicians who are members of Local 802 and Directors and Choreographers that are members of SSD&C. Adult roles are cast from the talent pool in Manhattan. For example, if we were presenting GREASE, or JOSEPH, or even HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, we would cast the roles in Manhattan. Professional actors would be cast, not local high school aged performers.
Is there an opportunity to perform?
At Gateway we provide real skill training. We do not focus on a product, that may or may not allow all members of the production a fair amount of training. We'd rather have each individual student shine in their own scene, monologue or song. The Summer Children's Theatre offers a chance of performing, for those interested and through our long standing contacts within the industry, children being groomed in the school will have opportunities to audition for legitimate projects in Manhattan as the specific cases arise. This is not advertised, but is an opportunity that has often been available to our diligent and capable students. Please read the web page on our success stories. This year, the students were able to audition for a production on the MAIN STAGE. The school edition of Les Misérables.
Where do we go from here? Can my child get an agent?
We do offer a SHOWCASE program sporadically when we have enough competitive and dedicated students to show to our Agent and Casting Director contacts. We present those who have great potential for competing at a professional level to Casting Directors and Agents in Manhattan in the Spring. It is a very limited program. This year we offered a workshop revolving around a production of the Les Mis for those who would like to be seen and advised by Industry Professionals from Manhattan. As mentioned above, there are opportunities on an individual basis depending on our contacts and what projects they are working on and the ability and specific qualities and abilities of our ongoing students. Our director, Ms. Allan, will often recommend students to casting directors who call her when they are searching for particular types of kids. As far as where to go from here, we formulate the school to have many levels of training. Those who are already working in the industry take class as well as those who hope to be. We have cold reading classes for those who are auditioning. We have a college entrance audition class for High School Seniors looking to get into great drama programs. We have had a good success rate in placing many of our students in prestigious colleges/universities and many with scholarships. This year we had students who were accepted to SYRACUSE, CARNEGIE MELLON, DEPAUL, CW POST, MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN, S.U.N.Y PURCHASE, NYU, and EMERSON. We have had several students fortunate enough to book jobs as well.
If my child took one session of classes, should she/he move up for the second Session?
We like kids to take a class for at least a year before they feel ready for a more advanced level. Some students progress at a more rapid pace, which is decided by the staff here at Gateway.
If my child was in his/her school plays, or community theatre productions, should he/she take Advanced Placement classes?
Not necessarily. We are going to be blunt here, but you need to know our perspective. We do audition new students for upper level classes if they are interested. Some students have a natural gift. School plays are not training, however. The participants do attain experience being on a stage, but more often than not, the habits they pick up, from teachers who are not properly educated and fellow performers who may not be there for artistic reasons, sometimes social, have to be undone in our classes. There is a tendency to superficial acting/facial expressions, extraneous movement, wrong emphasis in the school type setting. Most school play directors are not professionals. Sometimes they have had no theatrical background. There are exceptions in some school districts, where students are fortunate to have real artists teaching them, but not many. We are always amazed that the gym teachers/coaches are always prior athletes, properly educated in the sport field, and yet the teachers assigned to produce/direct the school plays have virtually no criteria to meet when chosen for the task. Why is this? We already know there is a lot of focus and emphasis on sports in schools and that is where the money is spent. That's great, if you're an athlete. what about a performer/director/choreographer/set designer/costumer/lighting or sound designer/ or perhaps even an editor or a cinematographer in the making. How are all of these kids nurtured, who should have the opportunity to make as much of a valuable contribution to society as a developing football player? That is why there is such a need for proper training in this field. This study lends itself to all aspects of the arts, and bleeds into other areas, human behavior awareness, tolerance, communication skills, cultural understanding, historical perspective, visual awareness.... which brings us to.....
Why study the performing arts when it readies you for a career that may never happen?
Don't let anyone fool you with outdated theories on arts study and careers. Long ago, maybe sixty years ago when kids were in school, it was a fact that there was little work and very low pay work associated with the performing arts. Families discouraged the arts as a form of higher education study. But the old saying, go to college for a back up degree, has has become a thing of the past for many, in our present environment and society. A college education is very important...for social skills, change of environment, expansion of one's own personal horizons, life long friendships, a liberal arts education, for discovery of studies and interests that you may never have the opportunity to find on your own in the world. You may be inspired to change your focus, dreams, aspirations based on the experience with a particular teacher, group or emphasis of study. You will most definitely become a more well rounded person, who can use your new found knowledge towards your art form. We always encourage our kids to go on to college, and not New York or LA right away for a shot at a quick success story. However, you don't have to have a major in economics or political science to fall back on if you don't become a "working actor," unless of course, you want to major in those things Yes, it will always be a crap shoot.... stardom, riches and fame. HOWEVER, not finding work in the field of entertainment is a thing of the past. If your child has an artistic leaning and is not only bent on making it big, training in the performing arts, can give them another sense, basically, a fine tuned eye, heart and mind, a more equipped set of communication skills, with which to enter many many fields associated with entertainment. With some further study in the specific fields, kids can become writers, editors, work in art departments, casting, make-up, costumes, work as grips, sound engineers, builders, agents, managers, work in advertising departments, development departments, become copywriters, script consultants, anchormen/women, talk show hosts, network executives. Have you ever stayed through an entire credit list after a movie or television show has ended? Count how many people are employed. It's a staggering amount of people. Most to all of these people are paid very very well. And let's face it. Today your kids are computer savvy. Some of them are talented with graphics and flash animation, photoshop..... Some of them are already budding photographers and videographers. So, if your child dedicated to performing only, they can always support themselves by designing and maintaining web sites, data entry, they can work in a myriad of different offices and production companies and be using many skills they already possess, while waiting for those auditions. There are other jobs to procure as a means of sustenance, while pursuing a job in the performing arts. Do study the performing arts if that is where your passion lies. You never know where it will lead when you follow your heart.
My child has performed in the Long Island Amateur Theater circuit as their means of "experience," are they advanced?
Not likely.
More FAQ's to come....keep checking!
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