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It’s amazing how in times of crisis the performing arts community comes together. But really, is that surprising?! What a great thing it is to be an artist and share in these experiences together!

With the COVID-19 pandemic, so many dance companies, studios, and arts organizations are putting together some GREAT online content to keep our young artists moving.

Log in to CLI Studios today a little before 3:00 pm for FREE dance classes from Kathryn McCormick, Phil Wright, Misha Gabriel, and Teddy Forance. Take a picture of video of yourself taking class and send it to us at stagelightathome@gmail.com.

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Don’t peek at the text below! This is supposed to challenge your improvisational skills, and we don’t want you to have any clues. Now, turn on some instrumental music and have someone read the prompt below to you while you create movement. Need some instrumental music ideas? Visit this Spotify playlist.

The reader should read this slowly, with plenty of beats or time between each sentence: “Create a shape in high level space. Remember it. Create a new space at middle level. Remember it. Hold it for 16 counts to allow your body to remember the shape. Go back to shape number one. Remember it. Hold it for 16 counts and then go into shape number two again. Now create a shape at a low level. Remember it. Hold it for 16 counts. Now go back to shape number 1 and define how you will move into shape number 2. Don’t just get into shape number 2… actually define a creative transition between the two shapes. Do the same for the transition between shape 2 and shape 3. Think about the pathways your body will use as you go between all the shapes. Think about the quality of your movement as you go between all the shapes… are you moving with strength? Are you transitioning slowly or quickly? Think about your transitions like a process, and your shapes like a product. The shapes should look like we can take a great photo and it wouldn’t be blurry. Now, once you have your shapes and transitions memorized, move through the series in 8 slow clounts. Now try it in 4 counts. Now 2 counts. Try the series again but add rotations, turns, or jumps. Can you do the series while moving through space instead of in one place?”

Once you have your series memorized, ask your reader to now play the role of cinematographer. Send us your video to stagelightathome@gmail.com.

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Turn one of your favorite Musical Theatre power ballads into a dramatic monologue. Spend some time memorizing the lyrics (if you don’t already obsess over the song every day!). Think about the emotion this character is portraying. Now, once you have it memorized, don’t sing it, just talk it! Perform it with full emotion and complete commitment to the character. Let us see how you can really show your acting skills! For a challenge, consider choosing a duet and act this out with a sibling or friend. Send us a video of your performance to stagelightathome@gmail.com.

Need some power ballad suggestions?

And I Am Telling You from Dreamgirls
Home from The Wiz
On My Own from Les Miserables
I Still Believe from Miss Saigon
Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid

And likely super relatable at this time of uncertainty:
Tomorrow from Annie and although not a ballad, you might really connect to the lyrics in When Will My Life Begin from Tangled right now!

For additional ideas, check out this curated Spotify playlist. Don’t forget, send us your videos to stagelightathome@gmail.com so we can applaud your acting chops and share with our virtual audience!

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