Hershey Area Playhouse announced their winter/spring schedule of acting lessons today to be held at the First United Methodist Church, 64 West Chocolate Avenue, in Hershey.  Classes will be offered for all age groups in the church lounge, with sessions in Creative Dramatics for the youngest groups and acting technique and character development for the older teens.

Ten week sessions will begin on Saturday January 14th, with lessons for grades K-2 offered from 1-2PM at a cost of $95.00, grades 3-5 from 2-3 PM at a cost of $95.00, grades 6-8 from 3-4 PM at a cost of $95.00 and longer sessions for grades 9-12 from 4-5:30 PM at a cost of $135.00. 

The classes will be taught by local acting coach Cory Wilkerson. Ms. Wilkerson, who has trained in theatre for young people in the United Kingdom and holds dual degrees in Education and Theatre,  directed the Playhouse’s  recent productions of Annie and Oliver.  In addition to directing, performing and teaching acting for area theatres, Ms. Wilkerson also consults to the State Department of Education–   training classroom teachers in the use of drama for learning.  Her acting students have gone on to work professionally at Mt. Gretna summer stock and the Renaissance Faire while still in high school and have been accepted into such prestigious college programs as NYU, Emerson, Temple and Marymount.  

“I believe in combining free form creative dramatics with formal instruction and technique” says Ms. Wilkerson “I try to plan my program to meet the needs of all kinds of acting enthusiasts- from the child who simply wants an outlet for creative expression, to the older teen or adult who is interested in serious performance training- but always with an emphasis on personal development and fun! 

Folks interested in the classes can register by telephone by calling instructor Cory Wilkerson directly at 838-8081.  Registration forms may be downloaded from the playhouse website at www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com. Walk ins will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. 

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