FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/26/10

Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Mary Hott
304-258-2300
www.macicehouse.org

THEATER SKILLS CLASSES START AT ICE HOUSE

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The Morgan Arts Council's yearlong program 
of theater skills classes begins at the Ice House on Saturday, October 
2 with an eight-week acting class taught by Kirsten Trump. She is 
also teaching an eight-week directing class that begins Tuesday, 
October 5. On Monday, October 4, Lynne Harris of the Maryland 
Repertory Theater begins a two-session class in stage management. 
Later in the month, Brice Williams teaches lighting design and set 
construction.

Participants in the classes must be at least 15 years old. "There is 
no upper limit on age," said Trump who is directing the overall 
program named Building Community Theater. "All skill levels can learn 
something in these classes," she said, "even the most experienced. 
For beginners, we have four mentors who can provide individual help." 
Mentors for the program include Tom Brooks, Margi Griffiths, Gary 
McDaniels and Jill Klein Rone.

"The skills connected to theater have career paths," said Mary Hott, 
MAC's Executive Director. "The program aims at training for paid work 
possibilities as well as the creative expression of being on stage." 
Classes are scheduled so there is no overlap. "We hope there are 
people who will take several different series," said Hott.

At the end of October, Marti Sikes introduces the innovative Extreme 
Costume Challenge where in two days students will learn the basics of 
costuming while dressing themselves for a runway show.

Practical hands-on work is the hallmark of the program. All skills 
will focus on a concluding staged reading on November 20.

"People can learn useful skills from these classes even if they have 
no intention of performing," said Jeanne Mozier who signed up for a 
yearlong pass to all classes. "Playwrites can learn by taking the 
directing class and everyone could benefit from the organizing and 
event planning techniques taught in stage management."

A second series of classes is scheduled for January through March of 
2011.

For more information and a full schedule, call the Ice House at 
304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org. Building 
Community Theater is supported in part by a Challenge America grant 
from the WV Commission on the Arts.



FULL SCHEDULE - FALL SEMESTER
• Sat. 10/2 - 11/6 - 10am-12:30pm
Acting - Kirsten Trump
• Mon. 10/4 & 11 - 5-8pm
Stage Management - Lynne Harris
• Tue- 10/5-11/9 - 5:30-7:30pm
Directing - Kirsten Trump
• Thu 10/7-21 - 6-9pm
Lighting Design - Brice Williams
• Thu- 10/28, 11/4 & 11/18 - 6-9pm
Set Construction - Brice Williams
• Sat & Sun 10/30-31 9am-3pm
Extreme Costume Challenge - Marti Sikes