‘Players By The Sea’ theatre reignites education program

New fall musical theatre and acting programs begin this month.  An innovative and improvisation-based acting program and solo & ensemble musical theatre workshop are coming to Players by the Sea.  Each program is geared toward middle and high school students. Executive Director of Players by the Sea Theatre in Jacksonville Beach, Suzanne Hudson-Smith has focused the past year on rebuilding an education program.  She says, “We believe that theatre is transformative for our young actors – they begin to realize that theatre is powerful in building self-esteem, teamwork, expression and focus.”

Fall into Fall, a 16-week program, stresses ensemble acting and character development, promoting empathy, risk-taking, emotional literacy, and dramatic presence.  They’ll put these skills to the test through their production of CUT, a comedic play on December 12 and 13.

The program begins with auditions on Sunday, August 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Players by the Sea Theatre: 106 6th St N in Jacksonville Beach.  Students should prepare a two-minute story that they are emotionally invested in.  Classes will be each Wednesday from August 28 – December 13, 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

Guest teacher/director Barbara Colaciello teaches communication, collaboration, and critical thinking through a process-oriented study of theater and improvisation at BABS’LAB.  Colaciello was the Educational & Outreach Director of Players by the Sea from 2005 to 2014.  Players is happy to welcome her back as guest director for their Fall 2019 season.

A Fall Musical Theatre Intensive for grades 5 through 12 will be led by Jereme Raickett and Andrew Sardoni. Raickett is Production Manager at Players and a talented performer/vocalist seen in shows at the Alhambra Theatre.  Sardoni is a talented musician who was the assistant musical director for Let’s Put on a Musical! this summer.

These directors will lead a 12-week course designed so students receive individualized attention in learning vocal technique, stage presence, audition etiquette, and presentation skills. Starting August 27th, classes for 5th - 8th graders will be every Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and 9th - 12th graders will be every Thursday at the same time. The course ends with students presenting a Musical Theatre Showcase on November 15 and 16.

Tuition for each program is $320.  Visit PBTS or call to register.

LOCATION: Players By The Sea Theatre
      106 6th Street North
      Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
      (904) 249-0289

ABOUT PLAYERS BY THE SEA— For over fifty years, Players by the Sea has brought quality creative and classic theatre to the Jacksonville community.  With a team of only three full time workers, the theatre relies on volunteers to dedicate their time and talents to making each show a success.  Through the years, Players has grown in its operations, incorporated educational programs, and increased its membership and volunteer base.  But they have not lost site of the main ideal its founders lived by — “the passion of individuals for creating satisfying theatre experiences to share with audiences.”