by Karina Guzzi
Daily Lobo
For 21 years, a UNM program has taught kids the basics of acting, developing creativity and overcoming shyness.
Theatre Classes for Young People is coordinated by graduate student Jeanette Zion.
"I think it's a hell of a good program," Zion said.
Judy Martinez has two kids in the program Carla, 4, and Carlos, 7. She said her son Carlos wants to go into show business.
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"My son, he's really looking forward to that," Martinez said. "He'll say, 'You have to get me an agent.' He says that Hollywood will be calling him soon."
Carlos, wearing a bright orange T-shirt that read "girls love me," which he picked out himself, said he is going to be famous.
"I want to be an actor and be in movies, meet famous people," he said. "I want to work on voice, faces, hairdos."
His mother said he and his sister enjoy the classes.
"We really enjoy it," she said. "Well, they do. I enjoy sitting out here waiting for them."
In the 4- to 5-year-old group, Imagination Station, kids acted out the animals from the story their teacher was reading.
Jennifer Stephenson, an undergraduate theater major, said she loves to teach. The program is important for kids to have a creative outlet, she said.
"Once I started, I totally couldn't stop," Stephenson said. "What I love about it is that there are no rules. It helps kids break out of the box."
Zachary Sears, a theater major, teaches ages 6 to 9. He said TV gets in the way of developing children's imagination.
"They are being force-fed all this sensory information, and it takes away from the imagination," Sears said. "There is no reading, so the thought process doesn't have to happen."
Sears said he encourages students to act out stories as opposed to just telling them.
The 9-to-11 age group and the 12-to-15 age group focus more on drama techniques and preparing kids for performance, Stephenson said.
She said this includes scene work, memorizing lines, projection and movement.
Stephenson said the classes are good for teaching theater techniques and also help kids become more self-confident.
"It gives them more equipment to deal with people," She said. "They make friends here."
Diana Wittrock has two daughters in the program, Julie, 11, and Jackie, 7. She said the program was something interesting to do on a Saturday morning.
"One, they are very interested in theater," Wittrock said. "The way the programs are set up seemed really interesting for the kids."
She said Julie would like to become a playwright.
Zion said the classes filled up quickly this semester, and the program had to turn many children away.
"People are looking for creative outlets for their kids," Zion said. "As public schools cut down on their programs, parents need to look for other sources."
Zion said the classes are offered every spring and fall semester and culminate in a showcase performance.
"Each class has about 15 minutes to share something with an audience of parents, family, friends - things like that," Zion said.
This year's showcase will take place on April 16.
