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Performing Arts Academy

To Register


Simply scroll down to the registration section, print out the mandatory forms and either register online by paying the $95.00 deposit with a credit card (PayPal) or print and bring the forms to the class with a check.

Teen, Youth and Tots Classes

All About Theatre now offers year-round classes and workshops for the greater Santa Cruz County community. We are honored to have some of the best teachers that are both local and from San Jose.

Classes for Spring 2010 (starting January)


Please read the amazing class descriptions below to help decide what classes your child should be taking in the spring. Whether private one on one sessions in voice or piano, Jazz and Tap classes in small groups or designing a musical - there is lots to do this coming Spring!

  • Private Acting Coaching
  • Private Lessons: Piano Madness
  • Private Dance Classes
  • Private Lessons: Singing for the Stage
  • Audition Workshop: Technical training in the 3 components
  • Tots Group Voice Class: Broadway Show Tunes
  • Youth Group Voice Class: Wicked & T.B.D.
  • Teen Group Voice Class: Mamma Mia & Hairspray
  • Tots Dance Classes: Broadway Tap/Jazz
  • Teen Advanced Tap/Jazz Dance Classes
  • Youth Beg. to Intermediate Jazz/Tap Dance Classes
  • Mythology and Magick - for the stage!
  • Improv Mania!

  • See course decrtiptions as below...

    How to be prepared for dance classes

    Students who comes in flip flops and open-toed shoes must have other shoes to dance in or you will not be able to participate in class.

    Please bring your own water bottles and a snack should you need it

    GIRLS:
  • Please come with dance shoes (jazz or ballet) or closed toed shoes.
  • Preferred dance bottoms (dance pants or leggings).
  • If a skirt - it is a MUST that you wear something underneath (shorts, dance briefs, tights).
  • Tops that you can move around in (t-shirts, etc) Please do not come in a tiny tank top or loose tops.


  • BOYS:
  • Please come with dance shoes (jazz or ballet) or closed toed shoes.
  • Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in.
  • Pants (no shorts, preferably dance pants ), and a solid color fitted T-Shirt.

  • Spring 2010 Dance Classes

    KIDMOTION for Tots: Fridays

    Instructors: Denise Reid, Brance Souza & Lindsey Chester
    3:00 - 4:00pm 4 to 6 year olds ($95.00)
    4:00 - 5:00pm 7 to 9 year olds ($95.00)

    If different times would work better for you and your children, let us know and we shall adjust the classes or offer them at different times

    Session: Friday February 12th, 2010

    Session is 10-weeks long

    Let your budding dancer have fun in these age appropriate movement classes! Dance is a joyful, kinetic experience that encourages skill building, focus, creative thought and an appreciation for one`s self and the arts. All About Theatre`s KIDMOTION - Early Childhood and Youth Dance Program, is designed to provide an enriched dance experience in a supportive and safe environment, and to ensure each young dancer is developing a love and appreciation for dance that lasts a lifetime. Classes include Creative Movement, Dance Basics, Kid Rhythms, and the foundation of Jazz, Ballet and Tap.

    Previous experience is not required, but enthusiasm and commitment to learning is!

    Youth Jazz/Tap: Saturdays

    Instructor:Denise Reid
    Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
    When?: Saturdays 9:00am-10:30am
    Session: 10-weeks
    Cost: $125 (per student)

    Session: proposed start date - Saturday February 13th, 2010

    This class is for students aged 8-11 years old.

    Ten weeks of fun and dance focusing on Broadway jazz and tap using music from some of Broadway`s greatest shows. Students will be introduced to the basics of Broadway jazz and tap dance technique in a fun and creative environment using a variety of songs and music from the best in musical theater. Each Saturday they will learn about professionalism in dance and work progressively on Broadway routines that will culminate in a performance/demonstration open to friends and family on the last day of the program.

    Improve basic skills and principles of dance. Become comfortable with one`s body, especially in performance. To achieve a deep knowledge of title tap moves, rhythms, sounds and foot placement. Improve jazz skills, turnout, jumps/leaps, timing and counts. Include importance of proper stretching and warm ups.

    Requirements / Objectives
    Basic principles of dance concepts. Body awareness. You must have had some basic exposure to dance (AAT productions and summer camps qualify here!).


    Advanced Jazz/Tap: Saturdays

    Instructor: Denise Reid
    Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
    When?: Saturdays 10:30-12:00pm
    Session: 10-weeks
    Cost: $125 (per session)

    Session: proposed start date - Saturday February 13th, 2010

    This class is for students aged 12-19 years old.

    Improve basic skills and principles of dance. Become comfortable with one`s body, especially in performance. To achieve a deep knowledge of skills including: shanee, pikae, batma, develope, positions 1-5, plie, grandee plie. Improve basic skills and principles of dance. Become comfortable with one`s body, especially in performance. To achieve a deep knowledge of skills including: flap, shuffle, cramp roll and pull backs. Strong awareness of timing, rhythms and counts. Include importance of proper stretching and warm ups.

    Objectives
    To have a greater confidence, knowledge and good execution of basic and intermediate dance skills. Improve on basic skills, extension and turnout. Stress comfortable and beautiful arm carry and reach. Increase height in leaps and kicks. Improve turns, while gaining exposure to more difficult skills. Challenge students in creating new rhythms while pushing tempos. Create new techniques, while studying different styles as well as techniques. Stress correct and comfortable arm placement. Be prepared to sweat and push the envelope. Perform complete warm ups and stretching to increase flexibility.

    *You must have had some previous dance at intermediate level. If you have participated in a Youth or Teen Production then you qualify for this class.


    Spring 2010 Group Voice Classes

    Tots Group Voice Class: Monday Show Tunes

    Instructor: Lindsey Chester
    Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
    When?: Mondays 3:00-4:30pm
    Session: 10-weeks
    Cost: $125 (per session)

    Session: starts Monday February 22nd, 2010

    This class is for students aged 4-9 years old.

    To train the ear, encourage correct vocal techniques and use of the voice box. It is important to learn how to sing correctly at an early age. This class focuses on group vocalises, the enjoyment that Broadway music brings as well as solfegge and standard techniques.

    Using classic songs to approach rhythm, call and response techniques during warm-ups and more. This class will use Broadway songs from shows that are age appropriate... Alice in Wonderland, Mulan, Aladdin, Cinderella, The Lion King, Annie, The Jungle Book and more... To train the ear,encourage correct vocal techniques and use of the voice box. It is important to learn how to sing correctly at an early age.

    Youth Group Voice Class: Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Wicked, Rogers & Hammerstein - Wednesdays

    Instructor: Eleanor Hunter & Lindsey Chester
    Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
    When?: Wednesdays 4:00-5:30pm
    Session: 10-weeks
    Cost: $125 (per session)

    Session: start date - Wednesday February 24th, 2010

    This class is for students aged 8-13 years old.

    See description in Teen Group Voice Class below... Youth shall be working on the SAT parts. (S=soprano, A=alto, T=tenor).

    Live Performances held at the end of the class for the public

    Teen Group Voice Class: Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Wicked, Rogers & Hammerstein - Wednesdays


    Instructor: Eleanor Hunter & Lindsey Chester
    Duration: 2 hrs
    When?: Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm
    Session: 10-weeks
    Cost: $15 (per session)

    Session: proposed start date - Wednesday February 24th, 2010

    This class is for students aged 13-19 years old.
    Mamma Mia - Nothing evokes the feel-good shimmer of the '70s pop world better than the songs of ABBA. Lin Marsh has created some stunning choral arrangements of five of Abba's very best, including Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia!, specially for SATB chorus with full Piano accompaniment.

    Hairspray - It's the hottest ticket on Broadway and one listen to the fun '60s-style score will tell you why. From the up-tempo opener, Welcome to the 60s, through the contagious You Can't Stop the Beat, Mac Huff takes us on an 18-minute romp through this new Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman hit. Includes: Welcome to the 60s, Good Morning Baltimore, Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now, It Takes Two, I Know Where I've Been and You Can't Stop the Beat.

    Join us this Spring for a group singing class you'll never forget !!!
    Live Performances held at the end of the class for the public.

    Private 1:1 Classes

    Private Lessons: Singing for the Stage

    Instructor: Lindsey Chester
    Sessions: can begin starting January 16th onwards
    Cost: 10 Lessons/$500.00

    *Individual sessions can be arranged - but will be charged at $55/hour session.

    Days and times to be arranged on a one on one basis. Sessions outside the dates above are also available - please inquire. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced students welcome (all ages).

    Private Piano Lessons: Classic, Jazz and Broadway

    Instructor: Mazera Cox (Intermediate to Advanced), Lindsey Chester (Beginners)
    Sessions: can begin starting January 16th onwards
    Cost: 10 Lessons/$500.00

    *Individual sessions can be arranged - but will be charged at $55/hour session.

    Days and times to be arranged on a one on one basis. Sessions outside the dates above are also available - please inquire. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced students welcome (all ages).


    Private Lessons: Acting Coaching

    Instructor: Lindsey Chester & Heather LaForge
    COST: $50/hr per single session or $450 for 10/hrs if commit to all sessions.

    *Individual sessions can be arranged - but will be charged at $55/hour per session.

    "Private Coaching" offered for performers who are looking to get really deep into prepping for auditions locally, college auditions, or anything in the sphere of performing arts.

    Each class would be one-on-one focusing an the area or two of choice from; monologues, resumes, headshots, song selection & performance and more...

    These private sessions would offer you all the career preparation and personal coaching you could need for your next endeavor in this field.

    Beginners, intermediate and advanced students of all ages (including adults) welcome.

    For more information contact us.

    Private Dance Lessons: Capacity One Student

    Instructor: Denise Reid, Heather LaForge & Brance Souza
    Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
    When?: year round
    To be determined with the individual
    Cost: $55 (per lesson)

    Sessions: can begin starting January 16th onwards

    Importance of the working body, how to treat injuries and prevention. Improve knowledge and skills of a variety of dance and enforce basic principles. *Be prepared to push yourself. Tailored to the skill level of the individual. *Any skill level.

    Requirements / Objectives
    A desire to learn and drive to work hard. To acquire a better knowledge of oneself and the art form of dance.


    Semi-Private Classes

    Semi-Private Lessons: Limited to 2-4 students

    Instructor: Denise Reid Heather LaForge & Brance Souza
    Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
    When?: year round
    To be determined with the individuals
    Cost: $95 (per group lesson - up to 4 students)

    As above.....


    Spring 2010 Workshops and Classes

    Audition Workshop (teens)

    When?: mid-February 2010 (weekend fo the 13th & 14th)
    Time?: 1pm - 6pm
    Cost?: $75 for 2 days

    This intensive workshop deals with the many issues facing the emerging artist in real audition situations. From the director, who is always looking at you, to the music director who listens to every warble and flutter of your voice. We will teach you how to prepare mentally and physically for any audition situation.

    This workshop addresses numerous issues, including:

  • Finding out what the audition panelists are looking for
  • Choosing the right audition repertoire
  • Centering yourself
  • Focusing your energy
  • Presenting yourself the best way possible
  • Dressing for success
  • Creating the atmosphere of the piece
  • Forming a clear characterization
  • Dealing with a mistake or memory lapse
  • Dealing with a poor or unfamiliar accompanist
  • and more....


  • Audition Panelists:-
  • Lindsey Chester (Acting and Music Component)
  • Heather LaForge (Dancing & Acting Component)
  • Eleanor Hunter (Music Component)
  • Briana Michaud (All 3 Components)
  • Denise Reid (Dance Component)
  • Brance Souza(All 3 Components)

  • Giving a good audition is not enough; the singer who gives the best performance when auditioning is the one who gets hired!

    We simulate a real audition. The singer can put into practice the skills learned in Part I. The singer will present an audition and then be given specific and constructive feedback, after which the singer will audition again, incorporating any suggestions offered.

    Group size is limited to 22 students, so please email us immediately to reserve your place.

    How To Prepare...

    To get the most out of the workshop please come with the correct footwear and attire to sing, dance and act. Also, please prepare an audition piece (24-32 measures) and bring the sheet music (piano part). Finally, please come with a prepared one minute monologue (non verse).

    Questions? - email us with Audition Workshop in the subject line.


    Mythology and Magick - For the Stage!

    Instructor: Lara Foy
    Duration: 1 hour / 1 hour 30 mins.
    When?: T.B.D.
    3:30-4:30pm 4-7 year olds ($115.00)
    4:30-6:00pm 8-13 year olds ($125.00)
    Session: 10-weeks

    Session postponed until April or May, 2010
    Please email us if you are interested...

    Faeries, elves, gnomes, unicorns, dragons and mermaids are as ancient as time and have roamed the earth much longer than we have. What is the difference between an elf and a pixie, a mermaid and a nereid? What is a sprite? This workshop is your mythical creatures 101 where you will learn everything you need to know about the invisible/sometimes visible beings that walk the landscapes of our earth and our imaginations. Which creature are you most similar to? Which one do you most admire? We will try on the personality of our favorite magickal beings, learn to walk, talk, think and act like them. We will create their costumes and have daring and playful adventures as our mythological selves.

    Almost all of human communication is through body language. We will learn how to cut through words and get our point across in another way. Use your body to become stone, water, fire or wind. Carve through the air as if it were clay. Dance like a hummingbird, dolphin or mountain lion. Dance your emotions- move like you`re joyful, angry, bored, cold, excited. What does it feel like to get tall, small, tiny, to curl into a ball, to stand on your tippy toes with your arms spread wide? Dance a sentence. Dance a conversation with another person. Finally we will all dance a story together for our friends and family.


    Improv Mania! - 10 week sessions

    Instructor: T.B.D.
    Ages: 13-19 year olds - exceptions to this age range are possible.
    When?: Mondays T.B.D.
    Times?: 4:30pm-6:00pm
    Cost?: $115.00 for the class.

    Session starts late-February - end April, 2010

    Create a space and structure for students to explore improvisational theater in a supportive, group-oriented environment. I believe the best creative `work` comes out of a place of play, curiosity and enthusiasm. The work will begin in body-centered games focusing on physical interaction; the intention is to first relieve the participants of the reflective, success/goal oriented ego mechanism that asks `how am I doing?` by instead encouraging a constant physical (as opposed to intellectual) awareness of `what am I doing?` and `what`s happening?`

    From this foundation of physically interactive attitude and non-judgmental space, we will build into outer awareness work awareness of spaces and of the group. This will build into partner, character and scenario work (play!) first in non verbal, simple story form, graduating into gibberish, interpretation, and more complicated storytelling and narrative skills. The character, object and space work interspersed with listening and awareness games will be used to facilitate the `finding` of material, to help the participants rely on their whole-body and mind listening skills to find material rather than forcing `creativity`.

    The games and exercises and general pace of the class will be fluid, adjusted to the needs and abilities of the course participants. It is my hope that as a teacher I will be able to exemplify my ideals of present-moment focus, and rather than doggedly steer the class toward what I want them to learn and at what pace I think it should happen, patiently and consciously support the organic artistic growth that occurs naturally when people come together to create and participate in a shared, supportive space.

    Improv for 13-19 year olds

    Register Now (online with credit card)

    AAT`s 2010 classes and workshops are now open for registration. To reserve your child`s place by paying the $95.00 deposit (for some classes this is all that is due i.e. if the class tuition is $95.00 then you are paid in full. For others, the value of the tuition minus the $95.00 is what is due, once the class has begun), please click on the link below. then scroll down to the forms. Simply click on the form links below. Fill out the necessary forms and mail them in to the address below.

    Register Now (by mail)

    AAT`s 2010 classes and workshops NOW OPEN for registration. Simply click on the links below fill out the necessary forms and mail them in along with a $95.00 deposit - (payable to All About Theatre) to:

    Mailing Address (not class location):
    All About Theatre
    C/o Lindsey Chester
    200 W. Cliff Drive, #14
    Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    General Classes and Workshops Registration Forms:

  • Registration Form

  • Directory & Medical Form

  • Rules and Regulations Form

  • Scholarship / Financial Aid Information


  • Lindsey Chester : 831-345-6340

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