Registration is now taking place for whARTon at home, an offering of courses in performing arts for people of all interest levels who want to learn from and create alongside professionals from the comfort of their homes.
Participants will join Wharton Center Institute for Arts and Creativity teaching artists online in educational classes that require nothing more than a laptop, tablet or phone, internet service and the desire to learn.
Following is a list of classes:
Sip and Sing
Ages 21+
Wednesdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Grab your favorite beverage for a virtual cabaret — sharing music and the joy of singing from the comfort of your own home. Participants will be given a prompt from host Kelly Stuible-Clark, and then all members will prepare a song to sing for the class. Participants will receive feedback from fellow singers and technical advice/coaching from Stuible-Clark. This is a low-pressure, welcoming and fun way for singers of all abilities to connect musically.
Improv
Adults (18+)
Tuesdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Cooped up in the house and looking for a creative, collaborative outlet? This improv class is a fun way to connect from your living room and try improvisation. No prior experience is necessary for this entertaining and informal introduction to some of the basic skills of improv. Over the course of six weeks, you’ll learn games and exercises in a supportive environment during each 60-minute session.
Early Childhood Music Classes
Birth—age six
Weekly 30-minute music enrichment classes
Three different classes will meet: one each on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays, from 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Held via closed Zoom Rooms (password protected).
The classes are taught from a music learning theory perspective. Children and their caregivers will sing songs and chants in various tonalities and meters. Children will also practice moving their bodies to music using the Laban movement approach. At its core, the philosophy of this music class is that every child can make music and have fun doing it.
Musical Theater Dance
Ages 10+
Thursdays from 11 a.m. - Noon
This course gives Broadway fans of all levels an opportunity to try out some signature dance styles. Each week, class will begin with a fifteen-minute warmup, and then move right into musical theater choreography. No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn and have fun. So, bring a parent or sibling — this class is for everyone.
Acting
Grades 8-12
Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - Noon
Performing for a live audience isn’t possible right now, but it’s no time to stop creating! Join instructor Aral Gribble as he leads participants through an exciting course on acting for the camera. Participants will create their very own “Zoom” play.
Introduction to Puppetry
Grades 3-5
Tuesdays from 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Students will learn about puppetry and puppet building in this playful online class. They will make three different types of simple puppets, learn puppetry techniques and create characters with voice and movement.
The six-week classes will start July 6 and run through August 14; enrollment is just $35. Registration is available on the Wharton Center website at www.whartoncenter.com. If you have questions about any of our summer offerings, please contact Kelly Stuible-Clark at 517-884-3166 or stuible3@whartoncenter.com.
Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis for all classes. Space is limited. Apply early to guarantee your spot.