Learning The Art Of Performing In Cincinnati

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I often comment how amazing it is to be raising a family in the Cincinnati area. The tri-state area, being rich in diverse opportunities and activities, allows us, as parents the opportunity to expose our children to a variety of themes and experiences. The local arts, specifically, are an experience we make a point to share with our children.

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Our commitment to expose our children to arts and theater led us years ago to our nation’s oldest theater for young children: The Children’s Theatre Of Cincinnati. We first discovered The Children’s Theatre Of Cincinnati’s MainStage performances one Christmas season and were sold. Not only has the theater’s holiday performance become an annual tradition for our family, we try to attend as many of each season’s shows as possible. The performances offer a perfect balance of length, energy, interest and imagination for not only the young audience, but adults as well. It’s the ideal exposure to theater that grabs a child’s interest and enthusiasm. I am continually amazed at the talent of the actors and the quality of costumes, music, stage direction, etc. This is professional theater on a level my kids soak up!

“The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is
the nation’s oldest theater for young
audiences. Its mission is to educate, entertain
and engage our young audiences through
professional theatrical productions and arts
education programming, which is
accomplished through three primary
programs each season.”

As I said, The Children’s Theatre Of Cincinnati’s (TCTC) performances continue to be a family tradition for us. However, when my now four year old daughter’s personality shone so brightly it was obvious simply attending performances wasn’t enough for her, I discovered TCTC offered much beyond their Main Stage performances. In addition to their MainStage and TCT On Tour performances, they offer theater training. Not only that, but TCTC has just moved to a brand new facility off of Red Bank Road in Hyde Park and expanded their performing arts classes. Their new, expanded program offered classes to “performers” as young as three years old. Perfect for my 4 year old!

The TCT Academy (formerly Learning the
Craft) offers arts training to children in a
variety of formats. The primary objective for
these arts integrated classes is to provide
students with the tools necessary to become
successful adults.

It was a no brainer. Where better to send your child for performing arts training than from a program that has dedicated the last 90+ years to educating and engaging children in professional theater?? TCT Academy is in it’s third session and my little 4 year old performer attended her first “Creative Toddling” class last weekend. Not really sure what to expect from “drama class”, she jumped right in and had a blast. She asks at least once a day when she can go back. She loves the encouragement and direction in doing what she does naturally and I love that she is learning from the best!

“… offer young performers a natural path in
performing arts instruction beginning with
classes at age three, transitioning to our
stARTs and STAR Programs, with an end
goal of auditioning for professional theater
productions not only at The Children’s
Theatre, but throughout the Tri-state region
and nationally as well. While growing a
child’s skill in performing arts, we look
always to further develop the child as a whole
as well. For example, a child becomes a better
speaker by taking one of our acting classes,
which increases their self-esteem, allowing
them to become a leader in another field.”
–Kim Deaton, Managing Director & CEO of TCTC

TCT Academy offers classes for ages 3 to 18 of all ability levels to learn techniques & principles in the art of musical theater. Each session is held at their new facility at 4015 Red Bank Road in Hyde Park. Classes include:

Drama for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Placement
Broadway Dance for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Placement
Tap for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Placement
Vocal Music for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Placement
Creative Toddling for 3 to 4 year-olds and 4 to 5 year-olds.

Registration is currently open for session #4 (June 13 – August 14, 2016). Click here to sign up for Session #4 ASAP. Classes have been filling up!

FOLLOW @4TheLoveOfFam on Twitter & Instagram for weekly updates on my little performer’s 8 week performing arts classes with The Children’s Theatre Of Cincinnati’s TCT Academy!

ka

Images copyrighted by Mikki Schaffner and used with permission.

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Disclaimer: This writer received one session of classes at TCT Academy for review purposes . As always, all opinions expressed are those of the writer and in no way influenced by companies or products mentioned within. “The Children’s Theatre Of Cincinnati” along with all characters, logos and images are owned by them and used with permission. TCT Academy images owned by Mikki Schaffner and used with permission.Post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for clicking through them! It helps keep this site here for you