Pasadena Playhouse Announces Community and Learning Programming

Onlinetheater classes for audiences of all ages

The Pasadena Playhouse is offeringthree interactive online classes this summer. These community and learningprograms are designed to enrich the experience of theater for children, new andexisting patrons, lifelong learners, community members, and more.

Pasadena Playhouse ProducingArtistic Director Danny Feldman says, “In these challenging times it is moreimportant than ever for the Playhouse to continue its role as a vital communityresource and a center for theater learning. We’re thrilled to bring back AdamEpstein’s sell-out Broadway Musical class, this time online and accessible forall. It is a must for those seeking an entertaining and more nuancedunderstanding of this great American art form. We’re also adding two offerings forkids. Miss Janet’s classes are a wonderful introduction to theater for ouryoungest audiences.”

TheBroadway Musical and America with Adam Epstein

• Tuesday evenings, May 12 – July 21
• 11 Sessions, $124 ($99 for Members)

The Broadway Musical and America is intended to givestudents a broad overview of the American musical from Oklahoma to the present. The course situates the form as adistinctly American phenomenon and which both influenced and was influenced bythe American political landscape since the end of World War II. The course willfocus on the major works of musical theater, including, but not limited to Oklahoma, Carousel, Gypsy, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, HelloDolly!, Annie, Rent, Hairspray, Wicked and Hamilton. The course, which will includespecial Broadway guests, will survey classic works of musical theater, and wewill engage, discuss and think about why the Broadway musical has endured as animportant American art form.

Adam Epstein’s theatrical productions have received 46Tony nominations and garnered 12 Tony Awards, one of which Adam himselfreceived as a producer of Hairsprayin 2003. Adam’s other credits include AView From a Bridge, The Crucible, Amadeus, The Wedding Singer and Cry-Baby. In the West End, both hisproductions of Amadeus and Hairspray earned multiple Oliviernominations and Hairspray was awardeda record 11 nominations, winning four, including Best Musical. An adjunctfaculty member of NYU, (which is also his alma mater,) Adam has also been aguest lecturer at Harvard, Columbia and the University of Miami. Adam recentlygraduated with his Master’s degree in American Studies from Brown University,and he is currently working in political journalism and media. 

Playtime with Miss Janet

• 10 a.m. Saturdays, May 16 – June 6 | Ages 4-6 | Class length: 30-45 minutes
• 4 classes, $49 ($39 for Members)

This is a four-week classexploring the imagination through theater-based play. Children will engage insong, storytelling, dance, ground-floor improvisation and enjoyable games, alldesigned with the goals of building socialization skills, boosting confidenceand creating inroads to their own unique talents and imagination.

Storytime with Miss Janet

• 11 a.m. Saturdays, May 16 – June 6 | Ages 7-10 | Class length: 30-45 minutes
• 4 classes, $49 ($39 for Members)

This is a four-week classengaging the imagination and channeling creativity through theater play.Children will be introduced to character development through movement,improvisation and games, with engagement through the creation of their owncharacters while discovering their own unique voice. All with the class goal ofsparking imagination, building confidence and amplifying the joy ofself-expression through storytelling.

Award-winningactress, athlete and educator Janet Fontaine boasts an extensive background throughnot only her acclaimed stage work, but also with her innovative and creativework educating children and young adults. Following her touring as one of theyoungest athletes to ever perform with the Ice Capades, she leveraged herexperience and began teaching the sport of ice skating to a wide range ofstudents, from beginners to seasoned competitors with Olympic dreams.

On the theatricalside, Fontaine has been working with children onstage and in the classroom fordecades, with a unique combination of theater games, improv, storytelling andacting. Fontaine previously served as middle school DanceInstructor/Choreographer at the Wesley School, while also assistant directing inDrama. As Assistant to Kevin Bailey of MB Artists, Fontaine was a frequentlyseen face by Playhouse crowds during the run of God Looked Away. She currently works as Drama Instructor with theDiscovery Onstage Summer Performing Arts Camp in Los Angeles while continuingin her position as Christian Service Coordinator at Providence High School.Fontaine is passionate about sharing her love and enthusiasm for the performingarts, while instilling in children a zeal and drive to create.

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