Drama

Performance at the Lawrence Arts Center includes theater, dance, film and music. The Arts Center's performance education programs feature performing arts classes for people of all ages. Instructors are theater professionals with expertise in all aspects of performing arts. Classes and workshops include beginning, intermediate and advanced acting, story-playing, improvisation, film making, audition techniques and dramatic writing.

Watching and participating in theater fosters literacy, stimulates interest in a wide variety of subjects, introduces diverse cultures and characters, and encourages compassion and tolerance. Children also benefit from interacting with the players after the show, where they can talk with the performers they’ve just seen!

Many of the older kids who perform at the Arts Center began their theater involvement as young children in beginning drama classes. These students have a love for theater that has enriched their development in many ways, offering them a safe place to express themselves, explore issues, take risks and come together with performance artists of all ages and skill levels who share their interest in theater.

The benefits of performance education are many. Children who participate in theater classes and performances are often more at ease in public speaking and tend to be more comfortable communicating ideas and opinions with others, including adults. Theater is a great place for kids to gain self-confidence and a feeling of acceptance. Studies show that kids who are involved in drama and music do better in math, reading, history, geography and citizenship.

We have a rich variety of performance events and classes scheduled for the 2011-2012 year. We hope your family will join us at the Lawrence Arts Center!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
—Albert Einstein

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES

Winter Program
Each year the Arts Center Drama and Dance programs join to offer a large holiday production. Our 2011 production of The Kansas Nutcracker: Sesquicentennial Edition with Mandolin Orchestra will feature a cast of student and adult community dancers and actors working side by side with professional dancers and actors providing on-stage opportunities for more than 100 people and entertainment for six full houses!

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

First Saturday Players
The performance-based ensemble First Saturday Players is for 6th thru 9th grade students interested in creating quality theater experiences to share with young children just learning to appreciate live theater. Read more

Summer Youth Theater

For 35+ years, the Lawrence Arts Centerʼs Summer Youth Theater has provided intensive training in all aspects of dramatic theater. Using Broadway musicals, classic dramas and original works, students learn by doing. They receive training from professional directors, musical directors, costume designers, stage designers, stage managers, choreographers, actors and dancers. All students who audition receive roles. Read more

Spotlight on our underwriters

We offer our sincere thanks for your support of performance arts at the Lawrence Arts Center. Please know how very grateful we are for your involvement.

Dr. Dennis & Deanna Hoss, Seven Trees Foundation, Amy Albright & Doug Davison, Vinland Valley Nursery, Marilyn & Tom Dobski, McDonald’s of Lawrence, Colette and Ron Gaches, Ron Gaches of Gaches, Barbee & Associates, Beverly Smith Billings, in honor of Bob Billings, Sharon & James Hammond, Web & Joan Golden, Tom & Barbara Hollister, Bill & Marlene Penny, Payless ShoeSource Foundation, Susan & Brad Tate & Family, Michael Treanor and Treanor Architects, P.A., Steve & Kathy McDowell, Francisco Bido Family, David and Anne Hollond, American Century Investments, AT&T Foundation, Steve Clark, Aggi Walsh and Craig West, Shelly McColm DDS, McColm Orthodontics.