Wheaton Drama accepting registration for popular youth theatre courses

Wheaton Drama, Inc., a community theatre located in Historic Downtown Wheaton, is currently seeking student applicants to participate in its 2013 Summer Theatre Workshop.

The weeklong workshop for budding thespians provides classes in acting technique, music, dance and technical theatre. Instruction is designed for each age group and is delivered in a working theatre environment by a staff of highly trained instructors, many of whom are certified theatre education or vocal teachers. The program is open to children from grades 1 through 12 and is based upon the grade each student will enter in the fall.

For twenty years, Wheaton Drama has had a children's summer education program that has grown in popularity to sell-out classes. Students from across the western suburbs attend the classes. Former students have seen success by being cast in area productions. The program has also provided training that paves the way to college.

This year, the decision to expand Wheaton Drama's program, allowing for two weeks of available classes, increases opportunities for local children to receive theatrical instruction. The first session, open to grades 1-5, begins July 8-12 (morning classes 8:30am to noon; afternoon classes 1-4:30pm). The second session, open to middle and high school students, runs July 15-19 (morning sessions 9am-4:30pm). Saturday performances will take place for each session and allow students to practice their craft in front of a live audience.

Tuition for students in grades 1-5 is $100 (covering more than 17 hours of instruction) and $200 for older children (covering 35 hours of instruction). In addition to providing valuable classroom instruction, each student receives four tickets to the final stage performance and a workshop tee shirt.

To secure a spot for your child, please visit www.wheatondrama.org/classes to complete online registration.

Wheaton Drama's upcoming productions include "Into the Woods" (May 17-June 9), "Romeo & Juliet" (June 28-30; July 5-7), and a musical cabaret fundraiser in August. The 2013-2014 season includes "Lend Me a Tenor", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "And Then There Were None" ("Ten Little Indians"), "Steel Magnolias", "The Music Man", and the 2013 Holiday Fundraiser, "It's A Wonderful Life -Radio Play". Performances at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. Information at http://www.wheatondrama.org. Follow on Twitter at WDIpublicity.