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Discover the Best Performing Arts Classes Near Me
Performing arts are any form of artistic expression that involve live performances before an audience. It encompasses a diverse range of disciplines such as theater, dance, music, opera, comedy, and spoken word. In these art forms, performers use their bodies, voices, and musical instruments to convey ideas, emotions, and narratives. Through their performances, artists explore various themes, express their creativity, and entertain their audience. The performing arts play a significant role in cultural traditions, educational institutions, and the entertainment industry.
Why You Should Learn Performing Arts
There are many reasons why someone would benefit from learning a performing art. First of all, it can be a great way to express oneself and one’s feelings. The performing arts are only limited by the imagination of the artist, so there’s no end to what one can communicate and express. By engaging in the performing arts, individuals can tap into their innermost thoughts, emotions, and experience, using artistic mediums to communicate and connect with others. The performing arts encourage self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of a strong authentic voice. Over time, students may find that they’re able to reach a deeper understanding of themselves.
Working in the performing arts can also encourage collaboration. In performing arts, artists collaborate with each other, with behind the scene technicians, and, sometimes, with the audience. Whether it’s a solo performance or a group exhibition, some kind of connection will be made. The performing arts teach valuable skills in communication, adaptability, and interpersonal relationships. In performing art, collaboration is not only necessary but also deeply enriching and rewarding. This sense of unity and camaraderie is an excellent reason for any potential student to pursue the performing arts.
5 Ways to Learn Performing Arts
There are many ways to grow and challenge yourself in the performing arts. One excellent way to hone your skills is to take a class or a workshop. Many private and public institutions offer classes and workshops for individuals of all ages and skill levels. These classes provide an opportunity to learn performing arts in a supportive and inclusive environment, often focusing on specific techniques or styles.
Students may also be interested in taking online courses in order to further their understanding of performing arts. Online courses provide flexibility in scheduling. Asynchronous online classes also allow individuals to learn at their own pace. These classes often include video tutorials, interactive exercises, and assignments to enhance understanding and progress. Students may also be interested in taking private lessons from a qualified instructor. One-on-one instruction allows for individualized attention, a customized curriculum, and focused feedback. Private instruction can be a great way to receive concentrated instruction and grow your skills quickly.
Formal education, such as a degree or diploma program, is another possible way of learning a performing art. Fine arts institutions offer specialized training, experienced faculty, and access to resources that can help develop skills in acting, dance, music, or other performing arts disciplines. Finally, students can also engage in self-study and practice in order to learn performing arts. This involves studying books, scripts, or instructional materials related to the chosen discipline. Students can also watch performances on YouTube or other streaming services and dedicate regular practice time in order to refine skills and techniques. Self-guided exploration can be complemented by seeking feedback from peers or participating in informal performances such as open mic nights.
In-Person Performing Arts Classes
There are many options for performing arts classes near you, regardless of which metropolitan area you’re located in. In particular, there are a multitude of performing arts classes in NYC. Actors Connection New York, for example, provides a Musical Theater Masterclass with Amber Snead CSA. In this one day class, students will first participate in a question and answer session with professional casting director Amber Snead. Afterwards, participants will perform two short songs for her, receive feedback, and have the opportunity to ask questions. She will provide constructive feedback using her expertise as a casting agent.
Located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, Actors Connection New York is an organization focused on connecting budding actors with top-of-the-line agents, casting directors, managers, and more. It serves actors seeking representation, looking to hone their audition skills, and simply seeking networking opportunities.
Also in NYC is a Four Week Stand-up Comedy Workshop, hosted by experienced comedian Carole Montgomery. Students will acquire fundamental skills in joke writing, generate creative ideas for material, receive feedback from Carole and other members of the workshop, and have the opportunity to practice and perform jokes on stage. As part of the workshop, students will also receive free passes for two to any future Q.E.D. show and a 50% off voucher for a class on PR and Marketing.
This workshop is put on by Q.E.D, which describes itself as an after-school program for grown-ups. In a relaxed environment, students have the opportunity to attend poetry slams, learn arts and crafts, acquire gardening skills, create DIY projects, and of course, learn stand-up comedy and improv skills. Q.E.D. offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks and meals, to all students. It’s located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens.
There are also many opportunities for performing arts classes in LA. Los Angeles City College offers a class called Acting for Beginners. This course aims to provide students with the emotional depth and confidence they need to feel at ease on the stage, big screen, or small screen. Students will explore their ability through exercises and scene work, and work towards building the foundation they need to portray a multitude of different characters.
Los Angeles City College is located in East Hollywood. Los Angeles City College offers a unique form of learning focused on community connection and well-being. They offer both “for-credit” classes, which can be counted for degrees and certifications, as well as “non-credit” classes, which are ungraded and low-pressure.
Also in Los Angeles is a 45 Minute Private Hip Hop Dance of Breakdance Lesson. In this class, World of Dance alum Darren Wong guides participants through a one-on-one lesson in their preferred style, hip hop or breakdance. It doesn’t matter if you’re highly experienced in dance, or a novice looking to expand their skills and stay active, Darren will meet students where they’re at and deliver 45 minutes of dynamic instruction. This class is hosted by Private Hip Hop Dance Lessons, which is based out of Orange County.
If you’re located in Chicago and looking for a creative pastime for the children in your life, the Chicago Actors Studio has a course called Youth Acting Classes Teens (13-17). This class is perfect for both beginner actors and children who have been practicing acting for some time. Participants will gain the skills to create and embody characters through movement and voice. This course combines group exercises with one-on-one instruction, so students can build their confidence and be ready for the stage or screen.
The Chicago Actors Studio is located in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. It incorporates the teaching methods of Constantin Stanislavsky, Sanford Meisner, and Michael Shurtleff. Teachers give each student, adult or child, individualized attention in order to grow their skills.
Another performing arts class in Chicago is Latin Club Dances, hosted by Chicago Dance. In this class, students will learn the most popular forms of Latin dance—Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, and Cha Cha. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the crucial components of dance, such as rhythm, precise foot placements, and body actions. Additionally, participants will receive lead and follow tips, enabling you to enhance your overall dance performance and create a more seamless connection with their partner on the dance floor.
Chicago Dance is located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. It has been offering dance classes since 1976. It has been named as a best place for dance lessons by Chicago Magazine and Time Out Chicago. Chicago Dance’s philosophy is one of continual improvement, no matter how long you’ve been dancing.
In Boston, the BollyX class combines performing arts with fitness to provide a unique experience for participants. In this class, students will learn high intensity Bollywood routines with periods of vigorous cardio, as well as slower movement. BollyX is hosted by a company of the same name. With multiple locations, this particular BollyX class takes place in the Cambridge neighborhood of Boston, at a facility called Dance Complex.
BollyX draws its inspiration from the music and dance of India’s bollywood industry. Using this music as a starting point, the company created a cardio program that combined performing arts with cardio and fitness. BollyX aims to provide accessible fitness programs to people worldwide.
Boston also is home to another dance class: Short Sequences by Ultimate Tango. In this class, students will learn a brief sequence of dance steps in the milonga style. This course is offered weekly, with students having no requirement to go to more than one. If students do go regularly, they have the opportunity to learn 52 short sequences over the course of a single year. Milonga is a style of Argentine dance similar to the tango.
The Short Sequences class is hosted by Ultimate Tango, which is located in Medford Massachusetts—approximately a fifteen minute drive from downtown Boston. Ultimate Tango offers tango and milonga classes to people of all ages willing to learn. They offer structured classes with step-by-step levels so that students can progress quickly and learn at an accelerated pace.
In Seattle, those interested in the performing arts may find Flight Room Seattle’s class Aerial Dance Level 2 useful. In this class, students will use silks attached to the ceiling in order to move their bodies into beautiful forms. Emphasis will be placed on alignment, lines, and technique. While no dance experience is necessary, since this is a level 2 class, participants should expect to spend a significant amount of time suspended in the silks themselves.
Flight Room Seattle also hosts a class called Ballet Play Flight Level 2.5. Ballet Play is an intermediate aerial class that combines classical ballet and aerial art, emphasizing graceful lines and recreating ballet positions in the air. While this class isn’t suitable for beginners, it’s a great option for students growing their aerial arts practice. It’s recommended that students take at least 5-10 flow flight or flexibility flight classes before attempting Ballet Play Flight.
Flight Room Seattle is an aerial dance studio focused on the balance between strength and flexibility. They believe in a luxurious approach to learning and exercise, and provide things such as hot towels, ginger candies, and aromatherapy to students before and after classes. As an organization, Flight Room Seattle prioritizes safety, teaching with a heavy emphasis on injury prevention and risk management.
In , Forever Dancing Ballroom hosts an American Rhythm Social Latin Dance - Rhumba/Samba class. In this class, students learn the basics of Latin dances, including techniques such as body isolation and arm styling. This course is specifically designed for students who want to dance socially. Keep in mind that the only shoes allowed on the dance floor are jazz shoes, practice sneakers, social shoes with leather soles, or suede.
Forever Dancing Ballroom also holds a class called Salsa I - Beginner and Up. This course is specifically designed for students with no previous dance experience. This course will delve into basic salsa fundamentals, such as timing, technique, and body movement, so that participants can begin dancing comfortably as soon as possible.
Forever Dancing Ballroom is a dance school located in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C. It specializes in partner dancing, with workshops, lessons and social events. Forever dancing also offers classes on aerial silks, capoeira, and other forms of performing arts.
Virtual Performing Arts Classes
Online performing arts classes can be a great option for many students looking to hone their skills. Learning performing arts virtually offers several advantages, such as the convenience of attending classes from anywhere, flexible scheduling options, and access to a wide range of instructors and resources. Additionally, students may have the option to record and review sessions for further practice.
However, online performing arts classes may lack the same level of physical interaction, real-time feedback, and collaborative experience that in-person classes provide. Ultimately, the choice between virtual and in-person learning for performing arts depends on individual preferences and the specific nature of the art form being studied.
One virtual option is Sketch Level 1: Intro to Sketch, offered by the Miles Stroth Workshop. In this class, students will learn how to write and perform a sketch, or a short comedy scene. Students of all experience levels, from beginner to more experienced, will be able to participate in this class. The goal of this course is to make sketch writing easier, more productive, and above all, more fun.
The Los Angeles City College offers an online course called Acting for Film and TV. In this course, students learn the basics of acting in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Students will work with partners to read out scripts in an audition-style format. This class has an on-camera component, so students will be able to share their acting style with the class.
Finally, the Los Angeles City College also offers a Singers Workshop for those who are interested in growing their singing skills. In this class, students will practice vocal techniques, breathing exercises, performance skills, and how to interact with an audience. Students are able to perform both solo and in a group.
Private Group Performing Arts Classes
Learning performing arts as a group offers a unique opportunity to collaborate and grow together. Participants can engage in dialogue, give and receive feedback, and collectively problem solve together. Depending on the performing art of choice, students may be able to create something wholly original together, such as a song or a one-act play.
If you’re interested in performing arts classes for private groups, you may be interested in Level 1 Animation Voiceover with Ned Lott. Ned Lott is an accomplished producer, voice director, and casting director, who’s worked on movies such as Howl’s Moving Castle and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. This class is hosted by Actors Connection New York. Contact CourseHorse for more information on group sizes.
Group learners may also be interested in Virtual Public Speaking Through Stand-Up!, a course on facing your fears and enhancing communication through the art of standup comedy. This course is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes long, and can host up to 30 aspiring comedians.
Booking with CourseHorse has many benefits. Group size can be changed after booking, so you never have to worry about that pesky cancellation. Confirmation is sent within 24 hours, so you can be certain that you and your teammates will be ready to go on the day of the booking. There are no booking fees and multiple supported platforms, so you can book on the go.
What Will I Need to Learn Performing Arts?
The materials required for learning performing arts can vary depending on the specific discipline and style of performance. However, here are some common materials that you may need, most of which will be provided by the instructor if you choose to take a class.
- Instruments: If you’re learning music, you may need an instrument such as a piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, or any other instrument based on your chosen discipline.
- Dancewear: For dance classes, appropriate attire is essential. This may include comfortable clothing, dance shoes (such as ballet shoes, tap shoes, or jazz shoes), and tights.
- Sheet music: Musicians often need sheet music or music books containing the notations of the songs or compositions they are learning.
- Scripts: Actors and actresses typically require scripts or plays to study and practice their lines and scenes.
- Audio or video equipment: Depending on the nature of the performing art in question, you may need audio or video recording equipment to capture and review your performance or rehearsals.
- Practice materials: This can include exercise books, vocal warm-up CDs, practice tracks, or choreography notes, depending on the specific discipline.
- Props and Costumes: Some performances may require props or costumes. This can vary widely based on the type of performance, ranging from simple props like hats or canes to elaborate costumes and stage sets.
Is it Difficult to Learn Performing Arts?
Learning performing arts can be both challenging and rewarding. The level of difficulty involved in acquiring skills in performing arts depends on various factors, including individual talent, dedication, practice, and the discipline being pursued. Performing arts often require a combination of physical coordination, technical proficiency, creativity, and emotional expression. Like any art form, mastery in performing arts takes time and patience. However, with proper guidance, instruction, and a passion for the craft, individuals can develop their skills and achieve remarkable growth.
