As part of its commitment to the community, the IRT provides continuing education opportunities for youth and adults.

The IRT also offers distinct educational programs that use theatre as the basis for dynamic learning experiences:

The-Artist-in-the-Classroom program is a custom-made program bringing professional artists to your classrooms for hands-on, highly interactive learning sessions.

YPiP-Young Playwrights in Process challenges area junior and senior high school students to write original plays.

The Bonderman Playwriting for Youth National Competition and Symposium is a biennial program aimed at fostering writing plays for youth audiences.

Summer Programming:

Summer Conservatory for Youth
develops and trains young talent in a supportive and creative environment. Youth age 8 – 18 are encouraged to audition for our acting or production tracks.

Youth Classes

IRT Youth Classes Mission
To provide young people with high-quality, innovative theatrical training, taught by theatre professionals and teaching artists; to broaden their horizons as people and as artists; and to help our students learn skills that will prove valuable in life, as well as lessons specific to the craft of theatre.

SATURDAY MORNINGS

Play On Stage – Ages 5 to 8

Join instructor Dianne Isaacs for fun storytelling and drama games as students create their own piece of theatre! Students will play theatre games, create a script, practice lines, and be a part of the design concept for their play. A family member is invited to share in the fun during the last ten minutes of each class. The class will conclude with a final presentation where friends, family, and guests are invited.

Dates: Consecutive Saturday mornings, January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 9:30 - 10:15AM
Fee: $135 (Half must be paid by January 22nd) Full fee due by January 30th
Special: Pay in full by January 18th and pay only $95
10 – student minimum


What’s in the Play – Ages 9 to 12

Learn how the script can help you make strong character choices that empower an actor to live fully on the stage and engage an audience. Have fun changing into characters of all types using your voices, bodies, creative ideas, improvisation and reading skills, and bring the play to life with few props. This type of class will build useful skills for auditions and rehearsals. Basic acting skills and terminology will be introduced along with script analysis.

Dates: Saturday, January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, March 6
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Fee: $195 (Half must be paid by January 22nd) Full fee due by January 30th
Special: Pay in full by January 18th and pay only $145.00
10 –student minimum


Stage Combat – Ages 13 to 18

Stage combat is everything from a fall to making the audience think a character just got punched in the stomach.  All of this has to be done safely so it can be repeated night after night. Join certified stage combat actor, Adriano Gatto, to learn some of the ins and outs of stage combat. There will be lots of physical and vocal work along with an exploration of character and scene motivations. The variety of content will keep it fun and challenging.
   
Dates: Saturday, January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, March 6
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Fee: $195 (Half must be paid by January 22nd) Full fee due by January 30th
Special: Pay in full by January 18th and pay only
$145.00
10 –student minimum


Shakespeare Scenes – Ages 13 to 18

Explore scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labor’s Lost, and a few other plays that have characters of young ages. Play Shakespeare scenes and learn about the themes in his work and his use of language.  You’ll see that the lives of his characters are not unlike our lives today!  Basic scene and character development skills will also be utilized like voice, movement, script analysis, and improvisation.

Dates: Saturday, January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, March 6
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Fee: $195 (Half must be paid by January 22nd) Full fee due by January 30th
Special: Pay in full by January 18th and pay only $145.00
10 –student minimum


MONDAY EVENINGS

Everyone’s Favorite: Improvisation - 12-16yrs

You can always learn something new in improvisation.
Instructor Jon Colby will be using techniques learned at Chicago’s Second City
to help students develop instant, unique characters.  Students will play games
and activities that will have them laughing while at the same time developing
plot progression skills to create interesting scenes. This hands-on instructor
will give feedback within the context of the scene so that students get a
feeling of accomplishment by the end of the session.  Students will learn to make
their own choices on stage and develop more confidence in those choices.

Dates: Monday, January 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1 
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Fee: $195 (Half must be paid by January 22nd) Full fee due by February 1st 
Special: Pay in full by January 18th and pay only $145.00
10 –student minimum

Deadline for registration is Thursday, January 21, 2010.  Register for multiple classes and receive a discount!


To register contact Milicent Wright:
mwright@irtlive.com or 317–635-5277.

Adult Classes


A. The local professional actor:

Artists who make their living in theatre and want classes in current theatrical techniques and methodology.

B. Community theatre participants:
Community actors, drama teachers, college students and upper-level high school students who are involved in and enthusiastic about the craft of theatre.

C. The life-long learner:
Adventurous folks who want to explore new fields or avocations take classes that teach communication and self-improvement skills.

There are no adult offerings at this time. For any information on adult classes contact Milicent Wright at 916-4843 or e-mail mwright@irtlive.com.