BRIDGEPORT — Calling all class clowns, drama queens, hams and wallflowers, too.
The Bridge's first-ever theater workshop for kids debuts Monday at the startup theater in the upstairs auditorium of First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, 643 W. 31st St.
The four-day workshop will take place in two-hour sessions. It's suitable for children ages 9-11, and the fee to participate is $80.
Led by drama teacher Audre Budrys Nakas, the workshops will take kids through rounds of ice-breaking games, improv lessons and scene work.
"The whole idea is to get kids to ease into it," said Nakas, an accomplished Lithuanian-American actress whose credits include a wide variety of performances, from one-woman shows to Shakespeare. She's also taught at Evanston's Piven Theatre Workshop.
Her husband, Kestutis, opened The Bridge theater company earlier this year in Bridgeport.
Nakas said the sessions would help orient kids to acting, but the group activities should come with a few added benefits for kids, like better public speaking and reading comprehension skills and an improved sense of confidence to just be who they are.
"Some of these games, they're silly. They'll do some silly walk across the stage, so in general they'll get some self confidence to try something new," she said.
And what about the shy kids?
"Our big thing is no pressure. Kids play naturally. You don't have to tell kids to play in some imaginary game. They'll do that on their own. We want to tap into that spontaneity but also bring it some structure."
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