In January, Aloha Performing Arts Company will welcome a new instructor, Megan Hodge, formerly of Atlanta, who will teach several new classes, expanding APAC’s roster of educational opportunities for all ages.
Hodge is a former managing director and conductor of Buckhead Girls Choir, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that tours extensively across the East and Southeast, including New York City, Disney World, and the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to her musical credits, she has a Ph.D. in astrophysics
Hodge will revive APAC’s “Keiki Theatre Class” for 3- to 7-year-olds, which will meet 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays for six weeks beginning Jan. 7. This is a fun and meaningful introduction to theater basics. Participants will work on basic acting skills and terms, theater games and building characters, and will present a small show at the final meeting.
Tuition is $40 per student.
“Music Skills — Starting from Scratch” is designed by Hodge to be an easy and fun overview of music theory for the beginner, or anyone who just wants a refresher course. It will focus on the skills required in musical theater, such as sight reading, staying on pitch, vocal technique, musical terms, following a conductor and learning and rehearsing musical roles. The class will be a relaxed, no-pressure way to become more comfortable with music. Meetings well be 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays on Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31.
Tuition is $40 per student.
“Audition Skills” is a four-part class that will focus on learning and improving the skills involved in auditioning for a play or musical, and also will be taught by Hodge. Participants will work on choosing suitable audition songs, vocal technique, stage presence, choosing and preparing monologues, basic dance skills, creating résumés and head shots and improving general acting skills. By the final session, all participants should have at least one complete audition set prepared for use. This class is a chance for beginners to gain confidence in their auditions skills, and well as giving more advanced actors a chance to try new material. The class will be 10 a.m-noon on four Saturdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Tuition is $40 per student.
“Show Choir!” is an ongoing group that will meet from 3:45-5:45 p.m. every Monday beginning Jan. 9. Hodge designed the group for children ages 6 to 12. Throughout the semester, participants will hone performance skills by learning song and dance routines to a variety of musical styles. She will incorporate Broadway, jazz, pop, rock, blues, Hawaiian and more into the repertoire. Performances will be scheduled toward the end of each semester.
Tuition is based on $10 per class meeting.
Jerry Tracy continues his “Tuesday Troupers” class for 8- to 12-year-old budding performers, and is assisted by Riley Newton. The class meets from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for six Tuesdays, with the next session from Jan. 6 through Feb. 10. Students will work on maintaining and developing the tools and skills required in performing on the stage. A free public show will be part of the last day’s meeting.
Tuition is $60 per student.
APAC’s “Intergenerational Acting Class” will resume Jan. 8 under the direction of Felicity Johnson. The class, which will meet from 2-4 p.m. Thursdays, will run through Feb. 12, ending with a public performance. Ages 13 and older are welcome. No experience is required, and newcomers are welcome.
Tuition is $60 per student.
All of the above classes will be hosted at the historic Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.
In addition, Roxanne Fox continues as adviser for Aloha Teen Theatre, which meets from 4-6:30 p.m. every Friday at the APAC Loft, across the street from Aloha Theatre, on the second floor of the building housing King’s Daughters Thrift Shop. Participation is free and open to ages 13-19.
Education as well as performance and travel opportunities also are in the plans for the coming year.
For more information about any class, call 322-9924.
