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Learn to Be the Best Performer You Can Be (and Have Fun Doing It!)
Creativity and creative expression seem to come so naturally and so effortlessly to children.
Psychiatrists and spiritual leaders tell us that nurturing that natural creativity is vital to our physical and mental well-being, but for most adults, our imaginations seem to atrophy as we age. Our willingness to show our creative side withers in the face of the fear of ridicule and judgment. Not so, kids. They are utterly fearless. So, how do we make sure our kids hold on to that fearlessness, and how do we regain it for ourselves?
Fortunately, we live in a city that respects and appreciates the arts, and many opportunities exist outside of traditional school settings for people to embark on and expand a multitude of creative endeavors. Whether your curiosity tends towards visual arts or performing arts, there are many organizations in town that can help you get started or continue on a growth path in your creative journey.
Stage West youth students in The Wizard of Oz, Spring 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.
For performing arts specifically, Stage West is leading the way in guiding new and developing actors and singers. Their robust educational programming has entry points for people of all ages and skill levels. As Education Manager Sarah Gay says, “We have something for everyone. Whether you’re five or ninety-nine, there’s a place for you to learn and explore at Stage West.” From first-timers to old veterans of the stage, Stage West is creating opportunities for Fort Worthians to take the stage and learn how to be the best performers they can be and how to have fun doing it.
Youth classes for ages five to eighteen include a wide variety of topics from Broadway Beginners to Teen College and Audition Prep, including Schoolhouse Rock, where kids hone their singing, dancing, and acting skills, to the Improv Troupe, where students have to think on their feet to create unscripted stories to captivate their audiences. To address the importance of creative expression for adults, Stage West offers a robust catalog of adult classes catering to everyone from the complete novice to the seasoned professional thespian. “Being creative isn’t just for kids. Moms and dads deserve it, too,” says Gay.
Stage West adult students in Adult Improv. Photo by Jennifer Schultes.
Many times, it happens that a child is interested in singing, dancing, or acting, their parents sign them up for classes, and a subtle self-suggestion begins to take root. A little voice in the parent’s head whispers, “That looks fun. Maybe I should do it, too.” And many times, they do! Stage West has many multiple-generation families taking classes, experiencing an exploration of the arts and their own creativity that they didn’t realize was possible, and they’re doing it together.
From children who crave the stage to teens who have struggled to find their place in the world to grandmothers whose life dream it was to be an actor, people of all ages and walks of life are coming together on stage in a welcoming, non-judgmental arena of ideas and they’re having a blast! It’s never too early or too late to begin a journey of creativity, and because of the Stage West education program, the performing arts is one of the most accessible genres to explore here in Fort Worth.
Stage West youth students in Finding Nemo Camp, Summer 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.
Youth and adult classes are registering now and begin September 8th. For more information and to see the entire catalog of classes with class descriptions visit www.StageWest.org, or email Sarah Gay at education@stagewest.org.
