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Dance & Theatre Stageworks - Leduc

News and Announcements
Celebrating 30 Years of Performing Arts Training

Adult Tap re-registration has begun - Class to start January 27, 2012

Want to Volunteer, call us at 780-986-2884

Alexis Photography - guest residency program - January 23 - 27

Next Bingos - January 26, 2012

Tickets on sale for Hairspray

Mommy and Me Registration has begun - class to start January 25, 2012

 

Bringing out the Performer in You

We would like to welcome you to Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts’ 2011/2012 season. Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts has been specializing in children’s dance programs and theatre education for 30 years.

Stageworks teaches children to love dance and embrace its discipline, with a well rounded curriculum and qualified, loving instructors. Our theatre training adopts the Alberta Learning Curriculum, but takes it one step higher. Our students are taught all the practical elements of performing in a theatre, as well as the essentials to become actors on the theatre stage.

Dance lessons and theatre training are a great way to develop confidence, self-discipline, co-operation and a healthy active lifestyle in people of all ages and abilities. At Stageworks, it's not about who has the highest kicks or speaks with the most confidence, it’s about what you learn along the way and how you learn it.

Stageworks offers dance lessons in several styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop. Theatre classes include Music in Motion for pre-schoolers and the 'Glee' club and theatre arts for kids, tweens and teens. Browse our schedule of classes for pre-school children, school aged kids and adults to find the dance and theatre lessons that suit the style, personality and talents of your children.

We realize parents have many different music and dance studios to choose from. All studios are not the same. At Stageworks we strive to provide your kids with the most interesting dance lessons and innovative theatre programs, using the latest teaching techniques and methods. Stageworks provides ongoing opportunities for further staff training to ensure we always provide our students and parents with the best dance and theatre experiences possible.

Register for Dance and Theatre Lessons

A handbook will be provided to all students who join us this year. Please read over everything very carefully and ask our awesome staff about anything that is unclear.

At Stageworks, we are very proud of the accomplishments of our teachers, students and staff. We provide this handbook as a reference tool so you can get to know us a little better. The policies in the handbook are put in place to protect our entire organization and the children who particpate in our programs. It is suggested that you assign your children some responsibilities, such as keeping track of their dance wear, shoes, music and scripts. Another suggestion is to start your children with their own personal calendar, where they can record rehearsal dates, times and locations.

Stageworks regular season starts September 12, 2011 and runs until May 6, 2012.

Every year we offer a summer school and a kick start program for students to learn other styles, keep active in the summer, and enhance what they are already studying.

Tickets to our productions are available only through our website and only with a credit card. All of our public performances take place at MacLab Centre for the Performing Arts here in Leduc. Seating is limited and tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not currently available as there are no shows planned until January 2012. More information about Stageworks ticketing policies can be found on our Productions page.

Don't forget to read Stageworks' monthly newsletter for the most up to date information on classes, schedule changes, production dates and anything else you need to know. Copies of the newsletter are e-mailed to everyone on our list and printed copies are available at the school.

Stageworks offers a variety of theatre and dance classes for all ages, throughout the school year and during the summer. Browse through our course descriptions and take a look at the class schedule. But remember, the most popular classes fill up fast, so register on line now to reserve your spot!

School Year

Stageworks season is from September 12, 2011 – May 6, 2012. Classes will run without interruption on all STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, TEACHERS’ CONVENTIONS AND INSTITUTE DAYS. As a special service, students may come to the studios on institute days to practice dances, songs or lines if organized in advance.

STAGEWORKS WILL NOT HOLD CLASSES DURING CHRISTMAS AND SPRING BREAK.

Darla Lemay

Arts Director

I hope that you enjoy your time with Stageworks. Through the many years that I have directed Stageworks and taught students, I have respected the work that each and every student has done regardless of abilities. "Failure is taking the path that everyone else does; success is making your own path." ... Students continue to inspire me so that I can in return inspire others. By having this courage students become more confident, more self assured, and hopefully a little louder.

Bio

Darla has worked with Stageworks for 19 years directing the organization. She sat on the committee that was instrumental in designing and receiving Stageworks beautiful facility located in the Cultural Village Site. As an alumnus of Grant MacEwan in the Arts Cultural Management Department, Darla works on areas of development funding, publicity, marketing, human resources, advertising, and program development. She has directed many Broadway Shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sound of Music, Annie, Annie Get your Gun, The King and I, and High School Musical. She has also written and produced three shows, A Stake in Alberta, The Amazing Journey, and We Are Not Amused. In her free time, Darla also teaches drama and co-teaches theatre arts. She has studied in Theatre in New York and Dance in Orlando. Darla produced and directed the 2008 Alberta Winter Games Opening Ceremonies. Darla has the ability to just throw herself into new and exciting adventures which keeps her sane, because every year is new and exciting.

Carol Read

Office Administrator

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Stageworks Academy is a successful arts organization through the efforts of many different people over the years - directors, administrators, staff, instructors, volunteers, students, and families. Let's Keep up the Great Work!

Bio

As office administrator, I can be found on the Stageworks’ front lines on weekdays, shuffling papers, answering phones, and keeping the general peace! Although I am still very busy, I can breathe a little easier knowing that Stageworks has a final home and that I played a part in making that dream come true for many students. And, during our production times, I may be found in a variety of roles from behind the scenes to the front of the house.

I started with Stageworks as a parent a few years ago, participated in the board of directors, and eventually found myself employed here! I am blessed to have a great job, working with children and the arts. It has been a pleasure to watching this organization evolve from the old corner building downtown to our wonderful home of today in the Cultural Village.

As a mom of 3 girls and a long term resident in Leduc, Stageworks has provided our family with a real sense of belonging in the community. I hope that many of you will discover what Stageworks can offer your family.

Genevieve Lemay

Tap, Jazz, & Ballet

Hi, I'm Genevieve Lemay. I have been dancing at Stageworks since I was 2 years old and I've been teaching for 4 years now. I teach ballet, jazz and tap starting with pre school kids all the way up to pre teens. I can't imagine what my life would be without dance. It's a really great way to express yourself as a person and a great way to have fun along with meeting new people. I don't look for the students who are the best I look for the ones that enjoy it the most and participate to the best of their abilities. This quote plays dearly to my life experiences, "I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself".

Bio

Genevieve Lemay has performed every year since she was 2 years old. She has trained in dance, music and drama and had taken ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, Irish and musical theatre. She has been in 3 musicals; The Castaways, Annie, and The King & I. Gen has also performed twice in the Edmonton Eskimos Junior Dance Troupe and the Alberta Winter Games “Turn it On” performance team and recently in Stageworks Dance Troupe. Gen has trained in Orlando, Florida taking workshops in Early Childhood Development, ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Among her performing arts training Gen plays the Saxophone and has many honors in Piano. Gen continues to train in ballet and jazz, and is seeking a Bachelor of Education Degree. This is Gen’s forth year teaching for Stageworks and she is looking forward to working with the children again.

Tina Balding

Hiphop

My name is Tina Balding, and I have been teaching hip hop for 4 years from preschool ages and up. I teach to share my passion for hip hop dance with others, and to be a mentor in the community. I enjoy every second of teaching. Dance is fun and it adds to my personal growth. I attend classes & local workshops to keep up with new trends and styles. My philosophy is to try, try, and try again! Practice makes perfect...tie your shoes, and smile!! Don't worry about who is watching you - Give it your all!

Bio

“Lady T” has the love of Hip Hop Dancing, and has been doing it since the age of 10 years. Being trained primarily in hiphop, she has proven herself to be a very versatile dancer in other genres as well. Tina has danced in productions such as “The King & I” , “Babes in Toyland”, and “Disney’s High School Musical”. She performed locally for the 2008 Alberta Winter Games Performance Team and for the Edmonton Eskimos Junior Dance Troupe and recently in Stageworks Dance Troupe. Tina continues to train through workshops such as Street Groove and conventions in Calgary and was selected to be part of the Canadian Team for Rising Moment Entertainment out of Los Angeles, California. She has danced along side of artists such as Twitch and Hawk from “So You Think You Can Dance”. Welcome back Tina!

Brittany Black

Theatre Arts Choreographer and Music Director, Tap, Jazz

Brittany Karen-Anne Black: I dabble in media, I love coffee, but I live for dance. I believe in making Alberta a place where dancers can be put on the map. As an industrious, oil-culture province, all too often we see our local artists fleeing to more “cultured” metropolises where opportunity lies. Something needs to be done about this. So let’s get to the pointe (no pun intended): dancing in Alberta is an incredible thing and something I’d like to see grow and mold our young talent. I believe in taking students out of their comfort zones and creating an atmosphere that allows a dancer to have fun, but keep properly trained. I still love to perform but in Dance World these old bones won't bend and stretch the way they used to. I think it's important as a dancer/performer to strive to be trained in what we call a triple threat: to sing, to dance, and to act (hint: Musical Theater) Three words to describe me: happy, outgoing and driven.

Bio

Brittany has studied her dance career through Lecky’s School of Dance in Edmonton where she studied tap, jazz, hiphop, lyrical, ballet, musical theatre, and pointe. Brittany has worked on projects with some Edmonton Schools, Church Groups, NAIT, and through programs with the Government of Canada. She also has a strong background in music and has worked with local schools in various projects. Brittany has an extensive background in television broadcasting and has worked for Discovery Channel Canada as a Daily Planet Intern. She is excited to get back into teaching dance and theatre arts.

Carly Pydde

Highland

Love laugh believe dance: this is my theory for teaching my students - Love what you do, dance is an art - passion is what makes you great! Have fun no matter what - act goofy and laugh at your mistakes this is where the best ideas come from! Believe that you are doing everything absolutely perfect, with belief comes confidence! Dance like no one is watching this way you can love laugh and believe to the best of your ability.

Bio

Carly is another home grown girl. Well, she did have that time where she trained in Edmonton for a few years in Highland, but that was for only a few years. Carly has danced since she was 6 years old in Highland and then later in jazz, ballet, and contemporary. She has also been a part of our theatre arts program. She is a graduate of High School and is seeking a degree at the University of Alberta. Carly has also competed in a lyrical and contemporary and has done numerous Highland performances. She was also a part of Stageworks Dance Troupe, and when she wasn’t too busy doing all that she worked in Stageworks Office. Carly has assisted our previous Highland Teacher for the past 2 years and is ready to take over the reigns. Good luck Carly.

Melissa Heagy

Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts is not only fun, but it changes your life! Taking acting classes through high school and then moving on to Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts Program - I gained confidence, good communicating skills, comfortable in all settings & I learned how to play even as an adult! This program will change you and will give you great skills you can use for the rest of your life! See you in the fall!

Bio

Rebecca Hamilton

Ballet, Jazz, & Contemporary

Last year was my first year teaching at Stageworks. I have danced since I was 3 years old in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hiphop and musical theatre. I go to University during the week and teach dance at night. I like to travel and like the adventure of being in different countries. I hope to go to University for part of the year to study in Germany. If you get me for a teacher I promise you will understand the passion and love I have for dance.

Bio

Another new teacher is Rebecca Hamilton. Rebecca has trained in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and contemporary. She has danced for 13 years – 12 years at L.A. Dance Academy and 1 year at Dance Unlimited in Edmonton where she continues to take ballet and jazz technique classes. She has attended workshops such as Groove Street Productions, coastal Dance Rage, and Triple Threat. She has also competed in numerous dance competitions and festivals and looks forward to continuing to be around and work for creative people. She has teacher assisted for the past 4 years and was a guest teacher for the past 3 years. Welcome Rebecca to our Stageworks Team.

Jenn Poholka

Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary & Lyrical

Dancing since I was four and competing since I was eight, dance is not just something to do, it's a part of who I am. The main thing I have learned from this discipline and would like to pass on is to dance from your heart and for yourself but most of all don't forget to WORK IT!!!! :)

Bio

Taryn Johnson

Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary & Pointe

I believe that dance is an art that allows you to express yourself no matter what emotion you are trying to betray. That is the great thing about dance, there is something for everyone. Dance isn’t just about getting exercise or performing, it allows you to explore your soul with movement and make real connections with yourself, your partner, group and audience. Dancers live to entertain and show the audience what they have been taught to do in the studio and putting their soul into it and leaving it all on the stage.

Bio