Youth Theatre Studio Adds January Classes

After a successful debut session, the Youth Theatre Studio of the William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence Community College is back for a new year's encore.

Registration is underway for the eight-week winter term Youth Theatre Studio, which runs Saturdays from Jan. 9 through Saturday March 6 (no classes on Feb. 13.)

"The initial reaction from students and parents has been very gratifying,' said Marissa Fritzemeier, instructor. "The class focus is on the process of learning how to perform on stage with greater expertise," she said. "Emphasis is on educational and artistic experiences that challenge each student."

"The Inge Center is thrilled with the community's support of this class, which brings sustained quality theatre training to the youth of Southeast Kansas and complements the excellent program run by the Independence Summer Children's Theatre" said Peter Ellenstein, Inge Center Artistic Director.

"As part of class registration for 2010, we have gift certificates available," said Ellenstein, "so that members of an extended family can literally give the courses to loved ones over the holidays. We also have a sponsorship program so that a donation of the class can be made to allow a needy scholarship student to attend the sessions."

There are classes for two age groups: one from grades 3 through 5, and a second for grades 6 through 12.

Much of the curriculum is modeled after the Trike Theater Drama Academy of Fayetteville, Arkansas, an outstanding children's theater training program in the region. The Trike's philosophy is that theater is best learned in a participatory and cooperative environment.

The Saturday classes for students in grades 3 through 5 run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The classes for grades 6 through 12 meet 11 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. The classes are at the Music Hall, Fine Arts Room 101, at Independence Community College.

The fee is $100 for the eight courses. Enrollment can be done by phone to the Inge Center office at (620) 332-5491 or to hjoyce@ingecenter.org.

A $50 deposit is required to hold a spot in the class, which is limited to 15 students each. The balance is due at the first class.

Instructor Fritzemeier is an Independence native and professional theatre artist. Marisa attended Independence Bible School, then studied theater at Independence Community College, where she was one of the first students in the Inge Center's Professional Playwriting classes. Her roles at ICC included Mrs. Gibbs in "Our Town."

Marisa received her BFA in Theater from Emporia State University (ESU). While at ESU, she won the William Inge Award for acting and was an Irene Ryan acting competition finalist. In addition to extensive directing and acting credits, Marisa's most extraordinary contribution was her work for the Educational Theater Company (ETC). ETC aids teachers by creating educational entertainment for each classroom's specific needs. Marisa worked with ETC as an ensemble member for two years before becoming the group's Project Coordinator her final year.

Over the past three years Marisa has had the honor of working with Cornerstone Theater in Los Angeles. Cornerstone is the leading community collaborative-based theater troupe in the nation. Cornerstone works with various communities to create new works written by and told by the community members themselves. Marisa also worked professionally at Kentucky Repertory Theatre.

The William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence community College offers quality year-round educational and artistic programming. It is best known as sponsor of the annual William Inge Theatre Festival, which is the Official State Theatre Festival of Kansas. The 29th annual Inge Festival honors dramatist Paula Vogel and runs April 21-24, 2010.

Major sponsors include The Kansas Arts Commission, the Hallmark Corporation, the William T. Kemper Foundation, and the Dramatists Guild of New York.