Drama coach announces upcoming kid’s classes, has TV specials
He’s a local comedian, acting coach and producer who is working with area youths and adults to cultivate the arts.
Shawn Holiday comes from a family whose members were some of the original patrons of the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, an area hub for performance and acting training.
He’s now organizing classes for kids to keep drama going in the area.
His parents were two of the founding members of the Alliance.
“They were creative, but most importantly patrons.”
He’s been teaching children’s acting for 15 years, and really enjoys working with young actors.
“They don’t have much baggage and they are more open to ideas and concepts. They can be re-directed into many positive behaviors,” he said.
Classes start in April.
“We had a great winter session and with spring and change in the air, it’s time for another round my classes,” he said.
“There are many creative opportunities for your children at the Alliance. My good friend Tami Bowen will also be offering a Saturday morning singing class for children ages 3 to 5 staring in April. I’ve known Tami for many years and she has a huge heart for kids and is a wonderful teacher, especially for the tots.”
The classes are:
Wee Three Sings (ages 3-5)
Instructor: Tami Bowen
Saturday sessions 9 t0 9:30 a.m. or 9:30 to 10 a.m.
This popular class gives children stimulating activities in which to learn and grow through the use of music, dance, singing, and rhythm instruments. The goal of early interaction helps ensure proper development growth, enhances spatial and reasoning ability and encourages good listening skills.
Acting for youth, ages 8 to 13
Eight Thursdays, 6:30 8:00 p.m.
April 9 to May 28; $90/110
Holiday will instruct a limited number of participants ages 8 to 13 on the basics of live theater. Diction, poise, teamwork, communication, creativity, problem solving, personal expression and responsibility are some of the skills emphasized in this program. Students will participate in activities such as improvisation, stage craft, audition, puppets, moonwalking and juggling. Class will culminate in a short performance on a real stage for family and friends.
Pint Size Performers, ages 4 to 7
Five Saturdays 10 to 11:30 a.m.
April 18 to May 23; $75/90
This five-week class uses improvisation games to help youngsters learn about themselves and how they interact with the world.
My First Movie (Ages 10 to 13)
Four Thursdays, 4:30 6 p.m.
May 7 to May 28; $45/55
Holiday will teach a group of first time filmmakers the basics of making a short movie. A small group of students ages 10 to 13 will create a script, make sets/costumes, act, shoot, and edit a short movie using iMovie, a Mac-based program. Each student will receive a DVD of the movie.
“Spring classes are always fun, kids are getting ready for summer, and sports have played out for some of them, so these classes are a great way to keep team-building and communications skills building,” Holiday said.
“The movie class is really neat because even if they are not interested in acting, they have all this technology that is available. I show them how to do thins like stop-action movies, and also how to edit using PC -and Mac-based programs.”
He has several old and new TV segments on his work. “The segment on children’s theater I produced for WGCU-TV can be viewed online: http://wgcu.org/Connect/blogs/arts/archive/2008/10/27/arts-kid-s-theat
“Also, I have upcoming segments on doctors who volunteer, including several doctors that perform a musical variety show each year. Apparently there is such a strong link between music and higher cognition that a music major is more likely to be accepted into medical school than any other degree.”
The show is Connect and his segments will be broadcast by WGCU-TV on your local PBS channel on March 20 at 8:30 p.m., March 21 at 6:30 p.m., and March 22 at 11 p.m.
It was a great venture, he said.
“I loved that project. I love working with PBS, everyone is very professional and they do in-depth stories. I get 7-1/2 minutes on air, which is a lifetime on TV.”
North Fort Myers area students may remember his performances at The Academy for the Arts.
“I performed Don Quixote – I was Shawn Quixote at the Academy for the Arts, as an outreach for Kids Conspiracy.” It was a group he was involved with in the past, another kids outreach.
A writer, actor, teacher and “impresario” for 20 years, Holiday been on stage, TV, and radio.
“As most actors know, the real drama takes place backstage. My class is an acting class where they also learn a lot of life skills about poise, patience and responsibility, problem solving and making adjustments.”
For information, visit Lee County Alliance for the Arts artinlee.org. Lee County Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Their number is 939-2787. To speak to Holiday directly, call 332-7992.