Fall arts programs for youth include new offerings, locations

This fall, Western Washington University's College of Fine and Performing Arts will again host their Western Arts Preparatory Academy integrated arts program for youth.

There are many class options available for youth, pre-2 through 12 years old, in the community and on the WWU campus. Currently there are theater, dance, and violin programs offered.

New this fall are two theater options offered on Saturdays and Sundays in Western’s Old Main Theatre. Students will work on improvisation, vocal and body warm-up techniques, monologue and scene writing, auditioning, and choreography.

The Saturday program offers students in grades 3-5 a role in an original play titled “A Hippo Ate My Homework,” which culminates in an original showcase performed on stage in Old Main Theatre. The Sunday program called “Kick Off! Improvisation 101” helps participants in grades 5-8 learn to be spontaneous and confident without a script through specially designed skill-building exercises and games. The program is taught by advanced Theatre Pedagogy students mentored by Western Theatre Arts faculty member Deb Currier.

In the violin program, students ages 4-7 will learn how to play the violin and also develop better hand-eye coordination, organizational skills, problem solving, and communication skills. Students will be taught using the Suzuki Method which involves the teacher, child, and parent in the learning process. There are nine individual lessons and three group lessons included in the program, which culminates with the opportunity for children to perform onstage.

The dance program, for children from preschool to 12 years of age, will cover many different aspects of dance. Students will explore new creative dance movements and enhance their coordination and social skills through fun and dynamic dance classes. New dance classes added to the program this year include Modern Dance and Creative Dance III. Dance classes are offered on the WWU campus, Fairhaven’s Firehouse Performing Arts Center, and a new location in North Bellingham – Melody Hall on Home Road, behind Jerry Chambers Chevrolet.

Find out more about the Western Arts Preparatory Academy and fall options in dance, music and theatre on the Web at www.wwu.edu/wapa. Additional WWU youth programs for grades K-12 are at www.wwu.edu/youth. If you have questions, email youth@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-3308.