The Z’s Creative Classroom offers performing arts classes to learners of all ages and abilities in a variety of mediums. It’s a safe and inviting space for all to explore their curiosity and interest in the arts. To lead these classes, we’ve selected the top teachers, performers, and artists in the Southcoast. Not only do they leverage their talent and experience to bring out the best in each student, these local artists are also employed for work in their craft.
The arts are a powerful tool that deepens our connection to the world and can reveal new ways to see it. That’s why we aim to make Creative Classroom as accessible as possible with a “pay what you can” model. Choose a price at check-out and it will cover the cost of the entire workshop or multi-week course.
If you have any questions regarding any of our classes please contact our
Director of Education and Community Engagement
,
Ashley
Moore
.
We want to hear it! We welcome suggestions for classes or workshops from teaching artists and instructors.
Join us for 6 weeks of musical fun learning the fundamentals of playing the ukulele with instructor Deb Sorgman. No prior musical experience is necessary.
Wednesdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 & November 2, 9
Zeiterion Lounge, 6:30 - 7:30PM
All ages.
Pay what you can! Choose $20, $40, $60 or $80 at check-out.
Need a ukulele? Check out The Symphony Music Shop.
Join us for 6 weeks of musical fun expanding your ukulele playing skills. Students should have completed a beginner course and be comfortable with beginner level skills.
Wednesdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 & November 2, 9
Zeiterion Lounge, 7:30 - 8:30PM.
All ages
Pay what you can! Select $20, $40, $60 or $80 at check-out.
In this four-week course with instructor Elizabeth Rapoza, students will learn the basics of playwriting and scripting using themes inspired by "The Three Musketeers" through storytelling, improvisation, and character and plot development.
Tuesdays, October 18, 25 & November 1, 8
In Zeiterion Lounge, 6-7PM
Ages 13+
Pay what you can! Choose $20, $40, $60 or $80 at check-out.
This course is a beginner’s introduction to stage combat with an emphasis on swordplay with instructors Jess Wilson and Garrett Olson.
Safety is our priority, and a prominent part of the curriculum. Students will learn basic rapier technique which draws from western fencing and eastern disciplines. This class is a prerequisite to more advanced stage combat classes which may be offered in the future.
Students must dress comfortably and be prepared to move for every class. Appropriate safety gear will be provided and must be worn at all times.
Wednesday, October 19
Zeiterion stage, 6-9PM
Ages 15+
Pay what you can! Choose $20, $40, $60 or $80 at check-out.
The arts are a powerful tool that deepens our connection to the world and can reveal new ways to see it. That’s why we aim to make Creative Classroom as accessible as possible with a “pay what you can” model. Choose a price at check-out and it will cover the cost of the entire workshop or multi-week course.
Series Curator
Mocha James Herrup holds a PhD in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin. They worked for many years as a full-time professor at the Austin Community College where they also co-founded the Peace & Conflict Studies program. Currently, Mocha James writes about arts and culture for the New Bedford Scallop and teaches Social Issues and Documentary as a Senior Lecturer at Suffolk University in Boston. In between Texas and the East Coast, they spent 2 incredible years in Seattle teaching as an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Washington at Bothell and programming and organizing with Three Dollar Bill. Mocha James has programmed with other festivals including SXSW and the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, and their award-winning films have been screened on the Sundance Channel, at the Walker Art Center, Northwest Airlines, and in festivals around the world. For more about New Bedford Film Society, visit newbedfordfilm.org.
Poetry Instructor
Sarah Jane Mulvey is a poet and writer, and co-founder of Anomaly Poetry. She is the host of a monthly open mic night at the Co-Creative Center in Downtown New Bedford. She also performs with The Collective NB. Sarah is currently serving as the City of New Bedford’s Poet Laureate.
Improv Instructor
Garrett Olson is a professional working actor, director, screenwriter, film maker, and seasoned fight director/stunt coordinator for stage and screen. He is currently the Technical Director and Associate Artistic Director for the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company, co-founder and one of the managing/creative producers for Danu Pictures, and is the former Technical Director/acting coach for the Boston Zombie Apocalypse. An accomplished teaching artist and combatant instructor, Garrett’s classes in public speaking, acting, staged violence, and improv are crafted for students of all levels and abilities. Classes include adaptive programs to accommodate all abilities creating a truly immersive and inclusive opportunity for learning and growth.
Drama Instructor
Elizabeth Rapoza is a veteran theater educator, multi-discipline performer, popular and award-winning youth playwright, and puppeteer/puppet constructor. Liz currently teaches theater courses at Cape Cod Community College and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Liz's youth plays have been performed across the continent and in Europe and Asia. You can find many of them on Dramanotebook.com.
Ukulele Instructor
Deb picked up her first ukulele and instantly fell in love with this small but mighty instrument. Her passion for the ukulele led her to become one of the few New England teachers certified by the prestigious James Hill Ukulele Instructor Institute. A lifelong music lover, she also directs a ukulele band and has studied with musicians both local and international.
Improv Instructor
Jess Wilson is a former C-level executive leader with extensive experience as an actor, tech, designer, producer, playwright, and director, and is the Artistic and Managing Director of the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company. An experienced actor-combatant, she also works as an Intimacy Director, Fight Captain, and Safety Coordinator for stage and film. Jess is an accomplished author, consultant, executive coach, teaching artist, and speaker who conducts classes and workshops on writing, public speaking, leadership skills, and a wide range of theatre disciplines, and frequently speaks across the country on a variety of healthcare, leadership, and humanitarian topics.
Dance Instructor
Sue Young’s passion for dance started at just 6 years old when her mom signed her up for dance classes, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of dance. She has studied under a diversified group of instructors and is experienced in ballet, jazz, tap, Irish Step, Latin, swing and ballroom. After recuperating from open heart surgery in 2012, she returned to teaching and became The Z’s Salsa instructor in 2016. But Sue doesn’t just stay in the classroom, she’s also a Zeiterion Volunteer Usher!
You will be emailed the link to participate as soon as you enroll. To ensure you receive this link, we suggest enrolling in one class at a time. Please use an active email address and be sure to check spam folders.
The virtual classroom will open 30 minutes before the start of class using Zoom. You do not need a Zoom account, but you will need to download the free app prior to the start of class. You can find it in the app store or visit zoom.us to download.
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