Adult Classes
2023-2024

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Our adult class selections at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre are carefully crafted to offer both basic skills for those new to theatre and advanced skills for experienced artists looking to hone their craft. Our instructors have worked professionally and on college campuses both in West Michigan and all over the country.
This highly energetic class is geared towards the basic tenets of improv acting and developing the process of improv, teamwork, and spontaneity. Ideal for people hoping to perform improv, expand their performance abilities, or for those desiring to develop enhanced communication and creativity skills for use in their business and personal lives, all while working in a supportive and extremely fun environment.
Essential Acting
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
FULL, PLEASE CALL FOR WAITLIST
A six-week exploration of the fundamentals of acting led by fantastic theater professionals from the community. Students work to develop the tools an actor needs: focus, relaxation, and concentration. Working with the body and voice to engage the whole person, students use games and exercises to foster spontaneity and diminish self-consciousness. Students also apply foundational skills (identifying goals and obstacles, playing an action, etc.) to individual text work as well as scene work. All levels of experience are welcome.

10 Minute Playwriting
Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
Interested in diving into the theatrical world of writing? Led by the 2022 and 2023 10 for All competition winner, Eirann Betka-Pope, students learn the formatting of a script, how to write dialogue, and develop meaningful plots and characters in order to create a 10 Minute Play within six weeks! This class may require some homework each week in order to build a fully fledged script by the end of our term. Participants have the option to submit their piece to the Ten for All playwriting festival this winter on Civic Theatre’s Mainstage.

Winter Term
Musical Theatre Audition Prep, Ages 16 through adult
Sundays, 2:30-4:30pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
Students in this class will prepare 1-2 vocal selections that could be used in a musical theatre audition and will learn strategies to pick up and perform choreography effectively in an audition setting! A trained vocal instructor and choreographer will work with students each week on practice auditions to receive real-time feedback in addition to discussing resumes, how to slate, and how to talk to an accompanist.

Essential Acting
Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
A six-week exploration of the fundamentals of acting led by fantastic theater professionals from the community. Students work to develop the tools an actor needs: focus, relaxation, and concentration. Working with the body and voice to engage the whole person, students use games and exercises to foster spontaneity and diminish self-consciousness. Students also apply foundational skills (identifying goals and obstacles, playing an action, etc.) to individual text work as well as scene work. All levels of experience are welcome.
Improv Comedy: The Basics
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
This highly energetic class is geared towards the basic tenets of improv acting and developing the process of improv, teamwork, and spontaneity. Ideal for people hoping to perform improv, expand their performance abilities, or for those desiring to develop enhanced communication and creativity skills for use in their business and personal lives, all while working in a supportive and extremely fun environment.

Essential Acting: Part 2
Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
Have you taken Essential Acting and want more? Have you participated in a play or two and want to expand your skills? This class will dive deeper into the strategies learned in Essential Acting specifically focusing on objectives and tactics as an actor.
There’s a Game for That!
Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
Some of the best ideas, tightest connections and lightest moments happen when we play. This class gives you an abundance of games and exercises to create a more playful environment at school, in the office, on stage, or at home! Ideal for teachers, facilitators, managers, and administrators!
A six-week exploration of the fundamentals of acting led by instructor Carrie McNulty. Students work to develop the tools an actor needs: focus, relaxation, and concentration. Working with the body and voice to engage the whole person, students use games and exercises to foster spontaneity and diminish self-consciousness. Students also apply foundational skills (identifying goals and obstacles, playing an action, etc.) to individual text work as well as scene work. All levels of experience are welcome.
Sketch Comedy
Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm | $150 | View in Calendar »
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, and Jimmy Fallon all got their start in comedy by learning how to do sketch comedy! Guided by an experienced sketch comedy instructor, students learn about various types of sketches and the process of sketch writing from brainstorming through presentation! Laughter guaranteed!
2023-24 School Terms:
FALL TERM:
October 7 – November 21
WINTER TERM:
January 6 – February 15
SPRING TERM:
April 13 – May 23
PERFORMANCE BLOCK:
February 17 - March 24
If you have questions, please call the Education Office at 616-222-6650