Back in September, we wrote about the Theater of Possibility (TOP) — a great way for kids to develop social skills through drama classes. Lauren Goldman Marshall, founder of TOP, wrote to tell us about a few classes she’s added for winter/spring, and a 2-week summer camp:
I am excited to announce that Aspiring Youth will host a 2-week Theater of Possibility summer camp, July 8-18, at the Seattle Ryther Center. The camp is for ages 9-14; high school students are welcome as assistants. See details below.
The Tuesday winter class for teens has a new start date, February 5. I am especially looking for older youth, ages 14-18, and even young adults up to age 22, to round out the class, which has some highly capable and gifted older students. The teen program is where TOP really goes deep. Here is what some parents have said about it:
Mental rigidity has given way to flexibility and a new found ability to function within a group. His self-esteem is soaring and the class has become an anchor for life. He marveled aloud that “Lauren could bring together such different kinds of kids and have us get along so well.” — Susan Moffitt, mother of a 17 year old TOP actor.
My daughter was able to actually see and experience choices for turning a potentially hurtful social interaction into a beneficial one. Theater of Possibility, is, as they say, a rehearsal for living. — Ann Morrow, mother of a 13 year old TOP actor.
My daughter…is the NT sibling. Her brother is HFA. It was a great experience for her. Besides just being fun, it gave her the chance to see how other kids with different abilities are (and how they feel about situations in life) instead of only having her little brother as a reference. I think this is a very powerful tool for our kids. It’s a fun way to learn how to deal with some of the social difficulties that our kids face. — Barbary El Naby, mother of a 12 year old TOP actor
For 2012-13 only, scholarships are available for teens through a Youth Arts award from the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs!
I am adding a Seattle class on Thursdays, April-June for younger students, grades 1-6. See details below.
Here is a summary of current and upcoming TOP programs:
Winter-Spring: Grades 6-12+, University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, Seattle, Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45 PM, 2/5-5/14 + evening performance on last day. Cost: $525. Scholarships available. Co-taught with Maggie Yowell, Drama Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Intern.
Contact [email protected] to register.
Winter: Grades 1-6, Youth Theatre Northwest, Mercer Island, Thursdays, 4-5:30 PM, 1/10-3/28 + evening performance on last day. This class has already started but new students may join in the next two weeks. I’m especially looking for another girl and an older boy, age 10-12. $375. Register through Youth Theatre Northwest.
Spring: Grades 1-6, University Heights, Seattle, Thursdays, 4:15-5:45PM, 4/2-6/11 + evening performance on last day. $375. Co-taught with Maggie Yowell, Drama Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Intern. Contact [email protected] to register.
Sumer Camp: Ages 9-14; high school students welcome as assistants. Aspiring Youth at Seattle Ryther Center, 2400 NE 95th St, Seattle, WA 98115. 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM, M-TH, July 8-18. (The last class will go till 5 PM for a friends & family performance.) Cost $1,000 for the 2 weeks; some partial scholarships are available. Contact [email protected] to register.
Tentative: Weekend intensive adult workshop for educators, therapists, parents and adults with Asperger’s/HFA. Dates TBA. Please let me know if this is something you may be interested in.
People may contact me for information about any of these programs. We hope you can help spread the word, especially for the current teen group!