Count Basie Center Academy pivots to virtual learning with 30+ initial class offerings in the arts

 

Virtual LearningRED BANK – The Count Basie Center Academy of the Arts has introduced more than two dozen online, “virtual learning” classes, pivoting on a dime to meet the demands of parents and patrons desperate to keep their arts alive with quarantining, home schooling and social distancing.

Registration is open now at www.thebasie.org/VIRTUAL. Sessions begin as early as next Monday, March 30th, and new opportunities are being added daily.

In addition to paid classes, free, weekly presentations from the Basie Center Conservatory of Music, user-generated video from memorable Basie Center concerts, video lessons from Basie Academy teaching Artists and “Tips For Parents Who Are Suddenly Teachers” are being offered on the organization’s social media channels: www.instagram/basiecenter; www.instagram.com/basiecenter; www.facebook.com/basiecenter; www.facebook.com/basieacademy.

“As a not-for-profit organization, we have a mission to uphold: to inspire, educate and entertain,” says Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Our community looks to us in good times, but it is our responsibility to provide opportunities for arts engagement no matter the situation. This is the goal of our new Virtual Learning initiatives.”

“We are amazed by the creative ways people are finding comfort, solace and peace of mind in this difficult moment and turning to the arts to get them through.”

All Basie Academy Virtual Learning classes require high-speed internet or 4G, plus a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, with the free Zoom Teleconferencing app installed. Zoom downloads are available at zoom.us/download.

Course tuition runs from $15+. Current multi-week courses and one-day workshops follow; more will be added in the weeks to come.

For more information on the Count Basie center and the Count Basie Center Academy’s Virtual Learning initiatives, please contact [email protected] / 732.224.8778 x 125

 


 

MARCH 30-APRIL 3

AGES 4-8

ART ADVENTURES WITH DR SEUSS
Young adventurous artists will dive into the world and stories of Dr. Seuss. Oh, the places you’ll go as children expand their creative thinking skills by participating in hands-on arts experiences.
Date: Tuesday, March 31
AGE: 4-5  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Colored pencils, Crayons, Markers, scissors and tape/glue

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS: Andy Warhol
Jump into the minds of one of the world’s most famous artists. Explore the work of Andy Warhol through arts-based projects that will build artistic techniques, creativity and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 2
AGE: 6-8  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palette and paintbrushes are not required, but a plus!) 

PRINCESS DANCE PARTY & FAIRYTALE BALL
Dress like your favorite princess or fairytale character and attend the ball! Students will participate in dance warm-ups, exercises, and learn basic choreography inspired by our favorite characters.
Date: Thursday, April 2
AGE: 5-8  *  3-4PM

AGES 9-12

IMPROVISATION
Connect with your peers through the art of improvisation! Build essential life and performance skills through theater games and exercises designed to build story creation, creativity, and collaboration.
Date: WEDNESDAY: April 1
AGE: 9-12  *  4-5PM

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS: Andy Warhol
Explore the work and world of Andy Warhol. Learn different artistic techniques through projects that will build creativity and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 2
AGE: 9-12  *  5:30-6:30PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palette and paintbrushes are not required, but a plus!) 

AGES 13+

DIALECTS & ACCENTS
Learn and hone your dialect and accent skills as you explore some of the great characters of the stage. Learn how to use your voice to bring fully realized characters to life.
Date: Friday, April 3
AGE: 13-18  *  3:30-4:30PM

APRIL 6 – APRIL 10

AGES 4-8

STORYTIME AND ACTING
Bring stories to life through creative dramatics, role play, music and improvisation. Using classic fairytales and stories, this virtual class builds imagination, creativity and acting skills.
Date: Tuesday, April 7
AGE: 6-8  *  3-4PM
Materials Needed: Paper, pencil, crayons

ART ADVENTURES – Roald Dahl
Young adventurous artists will dive into the world and books of Roald Dahl, expanding their creative thinking skills by participating in interactive arts experiences!
Date: Tuesday, April 7
AGE: 4-5  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Colored pencils, Crayons, Markers, scissors and tape/glue

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS – Wassily Kandinsky
In this interactive experience, students will learn about artist Wassily Kandinsky through arts-based projects that will build creativity, artistic practice, and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 9
AGE: 6-8  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palette and paintbrushes are not required, but a plus!) 

AGES 9-12

WIZARDING WORLD DANCE
Embody your favorite characters from the Harry Potter franchise as you learn dance and movement combinations inspired by the wizarding world! Cloaks and wands encouraged!
Date: Wednesday, April 8
AGE: 9-12  *  3-4PM

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS – Wassily Kandinsky
In this interactive experience, students will learn about artist Wassily Kandinsky through arts-based projects that will build creativity, artistic practice, and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 9
AGE: 9-12  *  5:30-6:30PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palettes and paintbrushes are not required but a plus!) 

INTRO TO FIGURE DRAWING
Master the basic techniques of how to draw people! This challenging class will give you a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of figure drawing through a focus on faces, hands, and the anatomy. 
Date: Friday, April 10
AGE: 9-12  *  3:30-4:30PM
Materials Needed: Paper, pencil, eraser, colored pencils (especially complimentary colors, blue & orange, red & green, and purple & yellow)

AGES 13+

ADVANCED ACTING FOR TEENS
Hone your acting skills through monologue study and group vocal / breathing techniques. Using classic and contemporary scripts work together to develop characters and impactful performances.
Date: Tuesday, April 7
AGE: 13-18  *  4-6PM

MOVIE MUSICAL DANCE WORKSHOP for TEENS
Learn dance combinations from your favorite movie musicals! Students will participate in warm-ups, exercises to increase flexibility, and learn choreography inspired by movies like Moulin Rouge and The Greatest Showman!
Date: Wednesday, April 8
AGE: 13-18  *  4:30-5:30PM

INTRO TO FIGURE DRAWING
Master the basic techniques of how to draw people! This challenging class will give you a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of figure drawing through a focus on faces, hands, and the anatomy. 
Date: Friday, April 10
AGE: 13+  *  5-6PM
Materials Needed: Paper, pencil, eraser, colored pencils (especially complimentary colors, blue & orange, red & green, and purple & yellow)

APRIL 13 – APRIL 17

AGES 4-8

ART ADVENTURES: Where the Wild Things Are
Explore the world of Maurice Sendak and Where the Wild Things Are. Participants will build creative thinking and artistic skills through interactive experiences related to the story.
Date: Tuesday, April 14
AGE: 4-5  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Colored pencils, Crayons, Markers, scissors and tape/glue

FLIP THE FABLE
What’s the Big Bad Wolf’s side of the story? Using the perspective of the misunderstood characters from stories and fairytales students will build creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and stronger character portrayals.
Date: Wednesday, April 15
AGE: 6-8  *  3-4PM

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS – Mondrian
Discover the work of artist Piet Mondrian! Students will participate in interactive arts-based projects that build artistic practice and interpretation, creativity and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 16
AGE: 6-8  *  4-5PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palette, paintbrush, are not required but a plus!) 

AGES 9-12

JUNIE B. JONES JAZZ DANCE
Wowie, wow, wow! Learn the fundamentals of jazz dance combinations through the stories of Junie B. Jones! Students will participate in warm-ups, exercises to increase flexibility, and learn choreography that reflects the bright, funny and spirited personality of Junie B.!
Date: Wednesday, April 15
AGE: 8-12  *  4:30-5:30PM

EXPLORING GREAT ARTISTS – Pablo Picasso
Jump into the mind and world of Pablo Picasso! Using the work of Picasso as inspiration, students will participate in arts-based projects that build artistic practice, interpretation, creativity and self-expression. 
Date: Thursday, April 16
AGE: 9-12  *  5:30-6:30PM
Materials Needed: Paper, Pencil, Eraser, Colored pencils, markers, Black sharpie, (watercolor palettes and paintbrushes are not required but a plus!)

IMPROVISATION
Engage with each other through the art of improvisation! Build essential life and performance skills through theater games and exercises each designed to stimulate creativity and spontaneous thinking skills. Plus, you will be able to virtually connect to your peers.
Date: Friday, April 17
AGE: 9-12  *  4-5PM

AGES 13+

SCENE WRITING
Young playwrights come together in this workshop that works through monologue and small scene writing. Work together to create the building blocks of a great script and get feedback from your peers and master teaching artist!
Date: Tuesday, April 14
AGE: 12-18  *  5-6PM

 


 

4-WEEK CLASSES

PEACEFUL PRACTICES FOR KIDS
Learn to bring awareness to the body and calm the mind by practicing simple postures and breathing techniques. This class provides a gentle practice suitable for nearly everyone that will bring calm and focus to your life! Parent participation encouraged!
No experience needed. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and have a blanket and pillow nearby. 
MONDAYS: March 30, April 6, 13, 20
AGE: 5-8  *  3-4PM

MUSICAL THEATRE + POP CULTURE DANCE
Dance through classic and contemporary musical theatre from stage and film! Classes will include warm-ups, exercises that increase flexibility, and choreography combinations from your favorite musicals and movies.
THURSDAYS: April 2, 9, 16, 23
AGE: 13-18 * 4:30-5:30PM

TEEN IMPROVISATION
Connect with your peers through improvisation! Build essential life and performance skills through interactive theater games and exercises each designed to stimulate creativity and spontaneous thinking skills.
FRIDAYS: April 3, 10, 17, 24
AGE: 13-18  *  5-6PM

TV TALENT 3: A FILM ACTOR PREPARES
This TVT3 virtual class combines two of the most popular TVT3 classes, Meisner & Film and Prime Time TV & Film.  Students learn how to analyze scripts, interpret characters and execute scenes for television and film with online instruction, group discussion and virtual performance. This course qualifies students for future TVT3 / Basie Academy film and television actors showcases, where our students have obtained representation and work in television shows and films.
MONDAYS:  April 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18
AGE: 7 – Adult  *  6:30 – 8PM

TV TALENT 3: ACTING & IMPROV FOR COMMERCIALS
Commercial acting is known as the gateway to successful on-camera acting careers!  In this TVT3 virtual class, students learn how to analyze copy, be themselves, and connect with the camera by creating their own unique scenes using improvisational techniques.
TUESDAYS • April 14, 21, 28 May 5 • $180
AGE: 7- Adult  *  6-7:30PM

TV TALENT 3: MASTER THE AUDITION SELF-SUBMISSION
Casting directors increasingly require that prospective talent submit their own audition recordings.  In this TVT3 virtual class, students learn to interpret audition requests, analyze scripts and master the techniques needed to record themselves for successful self-submissions.  Parents of young children are encouraged to take this class to learn how to submit their children for auditions.
TUESDAYS: April 14, 21, 28 May 5 • $150
AGE: 7 – Adult  *  7:30 – 8:30PM

TV TALENT 3: FAMILY ON-CAMERA ACTING!
This special TVT3 virtual course is fun for the entire family!  Using online instruction, group discussion and webcam performance, family members perform scenes selected from sitcoms, prime-time serials and films to learn on-camera acting techniques.  One fee covers up to 4 members of the same family and each session is limited to three families for maximum family enjoyment!
FRIDAYS: April 17, 24 May 1, 8
All-Ages!  Session I:  5:00 – 6:00PM; Session II: 6:30 – 7:30PM

TV TALENT 3: VIRTUAL ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING
TVT3 offers virtual private coaching based on your needs.  Sessions cover everything from cold copy techniques and monologues to corporate speech preparation, audition preparation and more.  Flexible schedules in 45-minute ($55) or 30-minute ($40) sessions.  Students 6–adult are welcome. Ages 6- Adult. Call 732-224-8778 x 125 or email [email protected] for more information.

 


 

MASTER CLASSES

MUSICAL THEATER ANALYSIS – DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Understand the world we live in through musical theatre. Explore social media, communication, and the contemporary world through the lens of the hit musical, Dear Evan Hansen.
Date: Monday, April 13
AGE: 12+ * 5:30-6:30PM
 
EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM MUSICALS!
From 1776 to Cabaret to Come from Away, what do musicals teach us about life? Learn from master teaching artist how musicals reflect and have come to shape history and the world we live in.
Date: Monday, April 20
AGE: 12+ * 5:30-6:30PM