Photo by Haley Harned.
Harrisburg has some great theater—lots of us already know that. But did you know it also has theater training?
Open Stage of Harrisburg Studio/School has been offering classes since 1985, making it one of the longest running theater schools in the area. Classes are available for both children and adults and often culminate in showcases where students can share what they’ve learned with family, friends and the public.
Starting as young as age 8, children and teens can choose from the year-long OSHKids Performance Company or 180Prep and summer offerings of OSHKids or the Music Theatre Workshop. Classes are also offered for adults with options available from September through March.
Veronica Biegen’s children have participated in the OSHKids Performance Company, Music Theatre Workshop and 180Prep.
“I can’t overstate how much they love it and how much growth we’ve seen in both of them because of it,” she said.
The benefits extend beyond acting skills, Biegen said.
“I get so many comments from teachers on how they present themselves with more maturity, how their in-class speaking projects and speeches are much more mature, and their approach to the materials, especially literature, is deeper and more thoughtful,” she said.
Biegen’s children will both be attending the Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School in the fall.
Kara Miller, who is currently enrolled at the prestigious Atlantic Acting School in New York City, planned on pursuing field hockey until an injury sidelined her plans. Open Stage Associate Artistic Director Stuart Landon then encouraged her to look into the theater’s classes.
“Because of Open Stage, I knew I wanted to have a career in theater,” said Miller. “It was the first time I felt confident in something I was sending out to the world.”
She credits her acceptance to the Atlantic Acting School to her time at Open Stage studying with Education Director Anne Alsedek.
Open Stage classes are not just for those looking to pursue acting as a full-time or even part-time career. The theater’s classes focus on a technique created by Sanford Meisner, one of the great acting teachers of the 20th century, which encourages actors to be authentic, organic, truthful and reactive. These key elements, once learned, can be applied across many facets of life.
Michael Chapaloney had always considered exploring acting, but realized the benefits of Open Stage acting classes could have a far greater impact.
“I thought it would help professionally with developing greater public speaking skills, improving my presentation style,” said Chapaloney.
And he did not feel overwhelmed at the prospect of not having any prior acting experience.
“I felt very comfortable not having past theater experience,” he said. “You start with such basics that you really develop the foundation for moving forward.”
After the class ended, Chapaloney appeared in a staged reading of “The Normal Heart” at Open Stage.
“It was incredible,” he said. “It put two things together that I really enjoy—the experience of performing and using some of what I learned through the Studio School, but it also benefited the LGBT Center of Central PA. It was a good blend of two things I’m passionate about.”
The fall session for this year’s OSHKids Performance Company (ages 8 to 13) begins in September. 180Prep, an acting program for 14 to 18 year olds, will also begin in September. Acting classes for adults are offered in both the fall (September through November) and winter (January through February).
For more information on classes at Open Stage of Harrisburg, visit www.openstagehbg.com.
August Theater Events
At Harrisburg’s
Professional Downtown Theaters
AT GAMUT THEATRE
www.gamuttheatre.org
POPCORN HAT PLAYERS PRESENT
“Cinderella”
Aug. 3-20
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m.
STAGE DOOR SERIES PRESENTS
“As She Likes It”
Aug. 12-21
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
AT OPEN STAGE
OF HARRISBURG
www.openstagehbg.com
SEASON 31 SUBSCRIPTIONS
on sale August to October
$120 for 5 plays
OPEN STAGE STUDIO/SCHOOL
enrollment open for Fall classes
Youth ages 8 and up
Adult acting classes available
Author: Laura Dugan
