Bucks County Playhouse announced the lineup of education programs being offered this fall. Classes take place in Lambertville Hall, 57 Bridge St., Lambertville, New Jersey. Visit bcptheater.org for more information and to register, or contact Ellen Gallos, assistant director of education, with questions at [email protected].
Breaking into the Voiceover World (Intro Level), Mondays, Oct. 9-30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Pete DeMeo: In this four-week intensive, students receive individual coaching on proper voiceover technique for TV, radio commercials and promos, how to approach and personalize copy, how to make a demo and get an agent, and how to remotely work from the comfort of your home. Ages 18 to adult.
You hear Pete DeMeo every morning as the in-show voice of TODAY on NBC. As an Emmy-nominated voiceover artist, he has voiced hundreds of commercial, promo and political spots for national TV and radio, in addition to narrating over 400 documentaries for The Discovery Channel, HBO, The Learning Channel, A&E, National Geographic, The History Channel, PBS and Animal Planet.
Acting for the Camera, Tuesdays, Oct. 10-Nov. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Johanna Tolentino: Through assisted scene work from screenplays, this class teaches techniques for acting on camera for television and film. Using copy from television and film scenes, actors learn the process from the audition in the TV casting director’s office, to script analysis, preparing self-tapes, lighting and technology, and tips on how to find an agent. This validating class gives students the tools to start their acting for the camera journey. Students of varying levels are encouraged to sign up. You can be a curious beginner or a more experienced performer. Ages 15 to adult.
Johanna Tolentino got her first big break at the age of 16 on the feature film Lean On Me with Morgan Freeman. She’s booked co-starring roles on network television, such as Comedy Central pilot Alternatino, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, Do No Harm, guest star role on Law & Order: SVU, co-star role on The Blacklist and Gotham.
Beginning Adult Tap, Wednesdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m., Julie Johnson Thick: In this six-week class, learn basic tap steps and fun combinations to tap your way into a great American dance tradition. Ages 15 to adult.
Julie Johnson Thick is an adjunct with priority status, teaching Rider’s Musical Theatre majors tap dance since 2013. She and her husband Bob founded the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell, where she functioned as managing producer and choreographer. Together, they produced over 300 shows in 32 years. In New York City, Thick danced with Gregory Hines’ Tap Company and Luigi Jazz. She has worked as a guest artist at The Ed Sullivan Theatre, Hines and Hatchet, Broadway Dance Center, and continues to teach at a New Jersey dance studio. Her diversified background even includes being the NJAIAW Collegiate State All-Around Champion in gymnastics.
Improv for Adults, Thursdays, Oct. 12-Nov. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m., Will Dennis: Spark your creativity and put yourself out there. Back by popular demand, this virtual class offers two hours of collaborative acting games, improv techniques and opportunities to nurture your creativity. No experience necessary, just a desire to laugh. Ages 15 to adult.
In 2018, Will Dennis founded UnScripted Productions and has served as its owner/operator since that point. UnScripted is an improv studio offering classes, events, specialized workshops and more. Dennis brings a unique blend of compassion, self-deprecation, humor and deep insight into every classroom he is in. He specializes in Applied Improvisation: a set of principles, practices and techniques derived from the art form of improvisation and applied to a variety of contexts, such as work, relationships, parenting and life. Dennis is the winner of the Bucks Happening 2022 Entertainer of the Year and is a nominee again in 2023. His company is also nominated as one of the Best Places in Bucks County.
Breaking into the Voiceover World (Intermediate Level), Mondays, Nov. 6-27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Pete DeMeo: Ready to take your voiceover reads to the next level? This class is a workshop focused to encourage active participation and coaching. DeMeo will take participants deeper into various reads (commercial, promo and long form). Each of the four classes runs for approximately 90 minutes to allow for maximum mic time and feedback. Ages 18 to adult. This class is only open to students who completed the intro level class or have professional experience.
