The Inaugural Minstrel Academy Showcase

LongIsland.com

The Inaugural Minstrel Academy Showcase - Presented by The Minstrel Players of Northport. Performance will be on Saturday, June 7 at 8 PM at Houghton Hall Theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 130 Main ...

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Northport, NY - May 27th, 2014 - Northport’s oldest theatre group, The Minstrel Players Theatre Company of Northport, are proud to announce the start of  Drama classes with the advent of Minstrel Academy.  The inaugural classes are already underway and feature both Youth and Adult Drama workshops taught by experienced professionals and theatre veterans.

The latest classes are taught by master Minstrel and founding member, Ray Palen.    Ray received his schooling at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC where he was privileged to be taught by a number of seasoned professionals that included Oscar winner Jennifer Jones. He also received private vocal training from Tony winner Ron Raines as well as former stage & screen legend, Allan Jones.  He is thrilled to pay it forward and has been teaching Drama and Musical Theatre on Long Island to children through adults for the better part of the last decade.

Following theintroductory 5-week-long acting Workshops the plan is for Minstrel Academy to be offered year-round and concurrent to all Minstrel Players productions.  Ray Palen will continue with Youth and Adult Drama courses as well as courses focusing specifically on Improv.  Also this summer, Minstrel Player founding member Tara Palen along with Evan Donnellan will be teaching an Introduction To Shakespeare course. 

The price for these courses is extremely reasonable starting as low as $15/class.    In addition to the fun and interactive exercises and theatre performances held within each class, students will have the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience in a Showcase at the conclusion of each course.  The inaugural Showcase will be held on Saturday, June 7th at 8 P.M. at Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street in scenic Northport Village.  This Showcase will feature a mix of monologues and scenes by both the Adult and Youth classes and all seats are a mere $10.

Courses are available to all comers regardless of prior experience.  The initial group of students is a mix of local theatre veterans and those who have never been on stage professionally.  The Minstrel Players concept in creating Minstrel Academy was to provide their current membership with the opportunity to keep their skills sharp while stretching themselves and trying out new things.  It is also a chance for new people to be introduced to the group and hopefully take what they have learned on to the Minstrel stage in one of their many year-round productions.

Details on Minstrel Academy may be found on the Minstrel Players website at www.minstrelplayers.org or by phoning 631-732-2926.  If you ever wanted to get on stage or merely want to give an acting class a try, Minstrel Academy is a safe, low-cost option.  We guarantee you'll have loads of fun and learn some valuable theatre skills in the process.