Black Box Studios' 2008 Fall Theater Workshops
Black Box Studios' Brings New York-Style Theater Classses to the Jewish Center of Teaneck
Professional Performing Arts Workshops Series Starts October 27 for Kids, Teens and Adults!
"The camaraderie between all the kids is so fantastic ... the kids were all on fire! It's so fun to watch!" – Steve R., Orange County, NY
"Last night's performance was truly outstanding from multiple perspectives. The kids were truly psyched up which I think it due to Matt's enthusiastic & creative leadership ... The performance was very professional ... not just a bunch of suburban kids playing around ..." – Eric S., Englewood
"If the enthusiasm that these kids have is an indicator of [your] success, then you have no worries." – Diane R., Julliard
"... my daughter really loved the Musical Theater class that was organized by Matt Okin and Mandy Decker ... She has been taking acting classes for several years with the intention of pursuing this as a career. She enjoyed this class more than any other class she has taken." – Liz M., Teaneck
Acclaimed Writer/Director Matt Okin and Production Stage Manager/Choreographer Mandy Decker, along with other working NYC theater professionals, are bringing New York-style theater classes to central Teaneck: Black Box Studios' Fall Professional Performing Arts Workshops Series 2008 begins October 27 with five innovative offerings now open for enrollment to kids, teens and adults.
Designed for those with a serious interest in theater (but with no experience necessary), Black Box Studio's workshops are a project of The Jewish Center of Teaneck, which hopes to attract people from all backgrounds while simultaneously addressing to the needs of the many religiously observant families in the area. All workshops take place at The Jewish Center, at 70 Sterling Place just West of Teaneck Road, and feature end-of-session performances open to friends, family, and the public. Jewish Center Executive Director Richard Tannenbaum exclaims, only somewhat tongue-in-cheek, "Since all the world's a stage, we welcome the world to the Jewish Center of Teaneck."
The Fall '08 offerings will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays, and include: Starting Out On Stage for boys and girls ages 7-9, Intro To Musical Theater for girls ages 9-18, Professional Musical Theater Workshop for boys and girls ages 7-12, Professional Musical Theater Workshop for teens ages 12-19, and the Adult Acting & Improv Workshop for those 21 and up. The cost of each 15-session course is $330 ($265 for JCOT members), and each weekly session runs 90 minutes. Limited scholarship funds for select workshops are available; also, private coaching sessions for acting, voice, and music can also be accommodated. Further details and downloadable registrations forms are available at BlackBoxArts.com or by calling (201) 567-6664.
Writer/Director Matt Okin also teaches theater at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, at the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies, at the Moriah School of Englewood, and with The Apollo Theater's In-School Seminars throughout NYC. Production Stage Manager/Choreographer Mandy Decker has worked with young people at the Henry Street Settlement, the Children's Theatre, the American Family Theatre, and more. Matt and Mandy are among those responsible for renown NYC-based theatrical productions, including The New Rock Musical Soul Searching, the ongoing all-kids rock musical workshop Generations, and the long-running A Match Made In Manhattan, The Interactive Jewish Wedding Experience. Their shows have appeared in distinguished venues like Daryl Roth's DR2 Theatre and D-Lounge Cabaret, Makor/92nd Street Y, Bowery Poetry Club, Don't Tell Mama's, Mo Pitkins, Theater for the New City, the 45th Street Theater, and in the Midtown International Theater Festival. Generations is now in ongoing development at Englewood's prestigious BergenPAC and, along with Soul Searching is appearing in the 2008 New York Musical Theater Festival.
