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"My child is loving this class!" Parent at Riebli Elementary
"Bridget Palmer is the real magic here - hold onto her!" Parent at Yulupa Elementary
"We love Bridget....She is so respectful of the children. Thank you." Parent from Pixie Hollow production
"My daughter was REALLY excited about it. Very age appropriate intro to theater." Parent from Twelve Dancing Princesses
"Great performance - My child loved it." Parent from Peter Pan
"My child is LOVING this class!" Parent from Broadway Babies
The benefits for children of participating in theater games and performances are practically endless. From learning to cooperate and expand their imaginative skills, to improving their body-awareness, self-esteem and capacity to martial inner resources when they are "on the spot", no other activity can really rival the transformative capacities of creative movement. Underlying our classes for children is the Feldenkrais Method® principle that humans can reach their greatest potential through expansion of self-awareness - knowing what they are doing - and learning through experience that there are numerous ways to approach life's challenges. Through embodying different characters, children learn that they have the power to use their imagination and their intellect to make choices, and can start to differentiate which choices are more effective than others. In a subtle way, we are building the children's life skills, teaching them that movement is more beneficial and enjoyable than "stuckness" and that they can each develop a unique way of moving through life which will be accepted and valued.
(Grades 1-6) Wednesdays 3:30-4:40pm 9/17-11/5 Performance 7:00 on 11/5 $113 ($103 S.R. Residents) Barcode: 47203
Min 20 Max 30 Instructors: Bridget Palmer & Raymond Skipp
Dr. Seuss’s amazing capacity as a storyteller is back in the spotlight with recent adaptations of Horton the Elephant’s heroic effort to save the tiny world of the Whos. Our production will include the unforgettable characters in the Jungle of Nool, such as the Sour Kangaroo, and the mischevious monkeys, as well as the Whos, the always popular minute inhabitants of a speck of dust. Children who love zany characters, rhythm, and high spirited fun will enjoy presenting this story in which Dr. Seuss reminds us that everyone’s contribution matters: “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
(Ages 4-7) Saturdays 9:00-10:00 am 9/20-11/8 Performance 9:40 on 11/18 $113 ($103 S.R. Residents) Barcode: 47204
Min 10 Max 16 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
Our youngest performers will practice expanding their body awareness, expressing themselves and living into their imaginations as they learn simple stage techniques to perform a “Tiny Tots” version of Horton Hears a Who for friends and family. Costumes provided.
(Ages 6-10) Saturdays 10:15-11:15 am 9/20-11/8 Performance 6:00 pm on 11/8 $113 ($103 S.R. Residents) Barcode: 47205
Min 10 Max 16 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
This small production provides younger children with an exciting opportunity to play each of the main characters in our adaptation of Horton Hears a Who. Several different children will play Horton, to keep line memorization manageable, and spread around the stardom! Costumes and set provided.
Do you love to express yourself through song or dance? In this class, you’ll be part of a team creating an original musical incorporating melodies from your favorite pop songs recorded on karaoke tracks. If you like to create characters, write dialogue & lyrics, or choreograph dances, this class is the perfect venue for you to expand your skills and showcase your talent. The only requirements are enthusiasm and good group cooperation skills.
Min 10 Max 16 Instructor: Bridget Palmer $113 ($103 S.R. Residents) Barcode: 47208
You enjoyed the movie, now be a part of this fun filled adaptation about a young woman who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her boyfriend. While at Harvard, she defends and wins a difficult case proving she has brains as well as style! There are great parts for boys too! Set provided.
Min 10 Max 15 Instructor: Raymond Skipp $113 ($103 S.R. Residents) Barcode: 47206
We’re gearing up for another fabulous Drama Camp experience! Our camp is the perfect immersion experience for children who love to perform. We’ve got roles in our shows for everyone from brand new actors to experienced performers. Activities include group games, theater improvisation, rehearsing, and instruction in acting, singing, and dancing (with ample time for breaks on the playground between activities.) Participants make friends, learn new skills, and share their talents in a fabulous show of scenes from children’s stories and musicals. This year we’re planning a show highlighting scenes from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, “The Seussical”, “Annie”, “American Girls Stories”, “The Thief Lord”, and “James & The Giant Peach”. Drama camp provides children with opportunities to shine they will treasure for a lifetime.
Min 20 Max 36 Instructors: Bridget Palmer, Caroline Lomba, & Tim Kniffin
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Instructors:
Bridget Palmer began performing as a child in Santa Rosa and continued on to graduate studies in directing at UCB. She began directing children’s shows for S.R. Recreation & Parks in 1999. Drama Camp’s co-creator, Caroline Lomba has extensive experience in ballet, modern, and jazz. Timothy Kniffin is a professional actor who appears frequently in local productions. All the instructors met performing together at Rincon Valley Middle School.
A Tropical Musical Adventure
Burst into song with us as we present the exciting adventure of a shipwrecked orphan named Ro, who ends up saving a kingdom. When Ro sails from her island home to start a new life in Abalonia, she discovers an evil plot against the king. Ro and her animal family use their knowledge of healing herbs to save the animals of Abalonia and the kingdom from Queen Ariana. This joyful production, inspired by the recent Barbie® movie, is full of wonderful characters for children of all ages to perform. Costumes & sets provided. Min 20 Max 40 Instructors: Bridget Palmer & Raymond Skipp
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INTERMEDIATE THEATER
Min 10 Max 15 Instructor: Raymond Skipp
Min 10 Max 15 Instructor: Raymond Skipp
Calling all children who love to sing and dance! Join us for an uplifting experience of rehearsing and performing song & dance numbers from favorite musicals for your parents and friends! Our show will include “It’s a Hardknock Life” from Annie, “Getting to Know You” from The King & I, “I Won’t Grow Up!” from Peter Pan, “Broadway Baby” from Follies and possibly other numbers depending upon the group. Costumes provided.
Min 10 Max 20 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
Inspired by the joyful singing and dancing in the Disney High School Musical movies, this class will provide middle school students with the opportunity to create their own musical production incorporating some of their favorite songs. With the instructor’s support, the participants can engage in creating characters, writing dialogue & lyrics, and choreographing their own dances. This class is the perfect venue for creative, self-motivated performers to expand their skills and let their imaginations soar. The only requirement is good group cooperation skills.
Min 10 Max 20 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
(One Day)
Theater improvisation, or “making it up as you go” is easy and FUN, once you master its simple rules. This workshop’s supportive group atmosphere will help you develop your imagination and the courage to take small risks, skills that will serve you both in theater and in life. Come surprise yourself! Lots of laughter guaranteed!
Min 8 Max 15 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
(2 WEEKS)
Chasing The White Rabbit down his hole, Alice finds herself in a mysterious world of talking animals. She escapes from a pool of tears only to find herself in a caucus race, the silliest race she’s ever seen. Next, Alice encounters the Duchess (who has way too much pepper in her soup!), the contemplative Caterpillar, and the vexing Cheshire Cat. She finally ends up at a Mad Tea Party with hosts who love riddles, but have no manners whatsoever! This class is perfect for young actors who want a “big” part – although the script will be adapted to fit the acting-readiness level of whoever joins the cast. The class will end with a performance for family & friends. Costumes provided.
Min 10 Max 16 Instructor: Bridget Palmer
This is our classic Tiny Tots Theater in an abbreviated form. Each week we will have a new play to practice and perform for family and friends. Costumes & sets provided. Min 12 Max 16
Theater classes for homeschoolers featuring theater games, acting exercises, and a costumed performance for freinds and family can be arranged at your home. The typical format for such classes is six weeks of one hour sessions leading to a 15 minute performance, but a custom program can easily be designed to meet your needs. Call Bridget Palmer at (707) 483-5800 for more details. Shows currently available include:
The Rabbit & The Water Hole (An African Folk Tale) The Mystery of Ashbury Alice in Wonderland The Wizard of Oz
Peter Pan Little Orphan Annie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Little Princess Pinocchio
Currently, after-school classes are available from Bridget Palmer through the Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department's "After School Adventure Program". These classes consist of 6 weeks of 1 hour classes during which participants play theater games and prepare a 15 minute show for parents. Anyone may sign up for these classes which are usually held at Yulupa or Hidden Valley Schools in Santa Rosa. Shows to date have included:
Thumbelina The Rabbit & The Water Hole The Mystery of Ashbury Alice in Wonderland & The Wizard of Oz Peter Pan
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Little Orphan Annie & The Little Princess