By ANN PINSON / Staff Writer
Say adieu to summer and hello to fall – at least in regard to school.
Since we guided you through camps and such with the annual Parents' Guide to Summer, we thought it only fair that we help you navigate after-school offerings, too. There are plenty of ways for kids to get cultural
or academic enrichment outside the classroom: Students can dance their
hearts out at the Dallas Summer Musicals school or create a unique
artistic masterpiece at the Art Institute of McKinney. We've rounded up
a few of the many activities available in the area. Session lengths,
days and hours vary, so contact the individual organizations for more detailed information. Some sessions fill up quickly; we
recommend getting a move on.
File 2005 / DMN
Fall classes at the Art Institute of McKinney include pottery, painting and drawing. The earliest sessions start on Aug. 21.
Ages: Preschool to adult
Where: 113 S. Kentucky St., McKinney
When: The earliest fall classes begin Aug. 21.
Cost: $100-$150 for six weeks
Description: Art class offerings (divided by age group) include
pottery, painting and drawing.
Contact: 972-548-7830
Web site: www.artinstituteofmckinney.com
THE CLASSICS THEATRE & ART FOR CHILDREN
Ages: 24 months to 12 years
Where: 3013 W. 15th St., Plano
When: Classes begin the week of Aug. 21.
Cost: $85-$255; $10 registration fee
Description: Theater and art classes (divided by age group)
include new Comedy Showcase and Mommy & Me Art programs.
Contact: 972-596-8948
Web site: www.myclassics.org
THE CRAFT GUILD OF DALLAS CLAY FOR YOUNG ARTISTS CLASSES
Ages: 5 to 13 (Handbuilding); 8 and older (Throwing on the Wheel)
Where: 14325 Proton Road (just east of Midway Road and north of
Spring Valley Road)
When: Throwing on the Wheel on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 5
through Oct. 24. Handbuilding on Wednesdays 3:30 to 5 p.m., Sept. 6
through Oct. 25
Cost: $157 for Throwing on the Wheel; $119 for Handbuilding; $25
supply fee for each
Description: Students in both classes work with clay.
Contact: 972-490-0303
Web site: www.craftguildofdallas.com
CREATIVE ARTS THEATRE & SCHOOL
Ages: 4 to adult
Where: 1100 W. Randol Mill Road, Arlington
When: Classes start the week of Aug. 21.
Cost: $50 per month if a student takes one hour of class per
week. Call for other pricing. Nonrefundable registration fee required
($30 for one student, $20 for each additional student).
Description: Acting, musical theater and dance classes, including
programs designed for home-school students.
Contact: 817-861-2287
Web site: www.creativearts.org
Rex C. Curry / Special to DMN
Plano Children's Theatre will hold classes focused on acting and improv, musical theater and more, beginning Sept. 11.
Ages: 3 to 18
Where: Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman St.
When: Aug. 28 through Nov. 20
Cost: $150 to $200 for 12 weeks
Description: Theater arts classes, divided by age group, focus on
developing creativity, communication skills, collaborative
problem-solving and performance techniques.
Contact: Nancy Schaeffer at 214-978-0110
Web site: www.dct.org
DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS SCHOOL OF MUSICAL THEATRE
Ages: 7 to adult
Where: Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St.
When: Sept. 12 through Nov. 18
Cost: $175 to $300 (Call for prices for semiprivate and private
voice instruction.)
Description: Offerings include musical theater, acting, tap and
voice lessons.
Contact: 214-969-7469
Web site: www.dsmschool.org
DALLAS THEATER CENTER FALL LAB SEMESTER
Ages: 7 to 18
Where: Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek
When: Sept. 16 through Nov. 4
Cost: $275 to $350
Description: Musical theater workshops for ages 7 to 9 and 10 to 12, as well as acting programs for teens.
Contact: 214-252-3918.
Web site: www.dallastheatercenter.org
HEARD NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Ages: 5 to 12
Where: One mile east of State Highway 5 South on FM1378, McKinney
When: Classes meet once a week from 1 to 3 p.m., starting Sept.
12 (call for more information).
Cost: The 52-hour program can be paid for with one payment of $450 or two payments of $275. The registration deadline is Sept. 7.
Description: Classroom and laboratory science activities, outdoor
field investigations and take-home study packets for home-school
students.
Contact: 972-562-5566
Web site: www.heardmuseum.org
KUMAASI AFRICAN ENSEMBLE
Ages: All ages
Where: SouthFair Community Development Corp. mentoring program
building, 3127 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (This is a temporary
location for classes during renovations and construction at the South
Dallas Cultural Center.)
When: Ongoing classes each Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Cost: $5 for ages 12 and under, $10 for those 13 and older.
Description: The South Dallas Cultural Center presents West
African dance classes led by the Kumaasi African Ensemble.
Contact: 214-298-5858 or 214-670-0315
Jim Mahoney / DMN
Studio Arts will have classes for kids, teens and adults from Sept. 5 through Dec. 16. Offerings include cartooning and fashion.
Ages: 4 years to grade 12
Where: Plano Children's Theatre, 1301 Custer Road, Suite 832,
Plano
When: Rehearsals for fall productions and classes begin Sept. 11
(call for audition information).
Cost: $40-$240
Description: Programs in which children perform in productions,
as well as classes focused on acting and improv, musical theater and
voice, audition techniques and art.
Contact: 972-422-2575
Web site: www.planochildrenstheatre.com
RCT SCHOOL OF MUSICAL THEATRE
Ages: 5 to adult
Where: Promenade Theatre, 2100 Promenade Center, Richardson
When: Aug. 23 through Dec. 5
Description and cost: Classes include Jekyll and Hyde Jr. for
ages 12-16 ($325); Year With Frog and Toad for ages 6-11 ($200); Musical
Theatre Dance for ages 5-17 ($45 per month); private vocal coaching and
acting for ages 10-adult ($35 per session). $35 one-time membership fee
for any program.
Contact: 972-690-5029
Web site: www.rctheatre.com
SMU MEADOWS COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Ages: Infants to adults
Where: A variety of locations on the Southern Methodist
University campus
When: Sept. 9 through Dec. 13. Session lengths, times and days
vary.
Cost: $49 to $600
Description: Noncredit classes include performing arts, computers, visual arts and an early
childhood music program held in conjunction with Music Together.
Contact: 214-768-3343
Web site: communityed.smu.edu
STUDIO ARTS
Ages: 2 to adult
Where: 10051 Shoreview Road
When: Fall classes begin Sept. 5 and end Dec. 16.
Cost: Tuition for many fall classes is $295 to $375 (includes
supplies).
Description: Class offerings include cartooning, drawing and
painting, portfolio for teens, Mom and Me, ceramics, architecture,
fashion, oil painting for teens and more.
Contact: 214-827-1222
Web site: www.studioartsdallas.com
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 08.11.06
