South Pasadena

South Pasadena

Mamma Mia, South Pasadena 2010

South Pasadena could be considered the home of Upstage Theatre Arts Schools, as Artistic Director Adrian Cohen-Neil started his first classes in the city in 1999. Since then Upstage has produced over thirty shows and classes in the South Pasadena community, and very quickly established itself as one of the best summer and after school theater programs for young performers in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The warm and informal, yet stimulating environment Adrian and the rest of the teachers create has meant we have seen students return year after year — just take a look at some of our testimonials.

But we haven't got complacent we always to strive to provide children and teenagers with a fulfilling theatrical experience and have continued to expand our offering. Three years ago, beginning with the innovative production of Hairspritz, the Teen Camp was added to the Summer Camp lineup, and this year we have added tap dancing and improvisation classes to the mix.

Upstage South Pasadena runs two summer camp programs for juniors in which students focus on the production of a show over a three week period culminating in a fully staged production complete with lights, costumes and scenery in a fully equipped theater. We also run a series of after school classes throughout the year. So, whatever aspect of theatre arts young people are interested in, Upstage in South Pasadena has something to offer them in a fun and friendly environment.

Please click the grey tabs below to learn more about our South Pasadena classes and camps.

Summer Camps

Click on a summer camp below to read more and register

Grease Jnr (So Pas) Monday to Friday, 9.00am–3.30pm
Monday, June 24, 2013 - Saturday, July 13, 2013
$1050
$950 (Early Bird)

Early bird price $950 if before 31st March!
Age range: 6 to 15 years
Rehearsal Location: The Woman's Club of South Pasadena, 1424 Fremont Avenue, So. Pasadena, CA 91030. View map
Performance Location: Main Auditorium, South Pasadena High School, 1401 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030. View map
Performances: Friday July 12th, 7.30pm & Saturday July 13th, 6.00pm.
 
Here is Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding "T-Birds" and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking "Pink Ladies" in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Olsen try to relive the high romance of their "Summer Nights" as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such classic songs as "Greased Lightnin'", "Beauty School Dropout", "Tears on My Pillow", and "You're the One That I Want" recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An 8-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals along with innumberable school and community productions place Grease among the world's most popular musicals.

This specially adapted junior version of the smash hit musical and movie is sure to be a enjoyable experience for performers and audience alike.
WE'RE SORRY, BUT ALL PLACES ON THIS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN FILLED.
 
After-camp care is available from 3.30pm-5.30pm at a cost of $15 per day. Contact Adrian for more information
 

Pirates of Penzance Jnr Monday to Friday, 9.00am–3.30pm
Monday, July 22, 2013 - Saturday, August 10, 2013
$1050

Age range: 6 to 15 years
Rehearsal Location: The Woman's Club of South Pasadena, 1424 Fremont Avenue, So. Pasadena, CA 91030. View map
Performance Location: Main Auditorium, South Pasadena High School, 1401 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030. View map
Performances: Friday August 9th, 7.30pm & Saturday August 10th, 6.00pm.
 
Wacky, irreverent and as entertaining as the Gilbert and Sullivan predecessor from 1879, The Pirates of Penzance Junior spins a hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all devoted to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.
 
After-camp care is available from 3.30pm-5.30pm at a cost of $15 per day. Contact Adrian for more information
 

Debra Lee, Patrick Hallahan

Year round classes

Click on a class below to read more and register

Broadway Jazz Dance Class Wednesdays 4.15pm–5.45pm
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Wednesday, May 29, 2013
$216

Location: Pointe By Pointe Dance Studio, #104, 1315 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030. View map

 

JP is back with his Broadway Jazz Dance Class! Learn to dance like the stars of Broadway musicals such as A Chorus Line, Chicago and Sweet Charity in this seven week class taught by Broadway actor, dancer and choreographer James Patric Moran. This class will teach the core jazz dance terminology and enable students to build up a repertoire of the classic jazz movements, including positions and across the floor work.

The Jazz Dance Class will help strengthen coordination and improve flexibility, as well as provide young performers with skills to complement their acting and singing abilities.

Places limited to 20 students.

James Patric Moran
Annie Tuesdays 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - Saturday, May 18, 2013
$975 (for full pricing options see below)
no fee

Rehearsal Location: The Woman's Club of South Pasadena, 1424 Fremont Avenue, So. Pasadena, CA 91030. View map
Payment options: $975 (1 payment) or $1100 (2 payments) or $1152 ($200 non-refundable deposit plus 8 monthly payments of $119) — fees cover scripts, costumes, props, and a professional dvd of the show mailed to your house.

 

This year's South Pasadena Year Round production will be Annie. Based upon the comic Little Orphan Annie with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, this record-breaking and Tony award-winning musical has proved an audience favorite worldwide since it's Broadway premiere in 1977.

Set during the Great Depression of the 1930's, the show tells the story of the orphaned Annie and how she softens the heart of the wealthy Daddy Warbucks. Featuring a host of wonderful characters, such as the fearsome Miss Hannigan, her no-good brother Rooster, Oliver Warbucks and Franklin D Roosevelt, and including the much-loved songs "Tomorrow", "Easy Street", and "It's a Hard Knock Life", Annie offers a wealth of opportunity to young performers.

The program will culminate in a fully-realized production, complete with sets & lighting by James Jontz and his skilled production team at the South Pasadena High School, costumes, and props. The performances will be at the South Pasadena High School main theatre on May 17th at 7:30pm and May 18th at 6:30pm (followed by the "Wrap Party").

Extra Rehearsals: Sunday May 12th (10am-1pm), Thursday May 16th (4pm-7pm), Friday May 17th (4pm-7pm before the show).
No classes: on Nov 20th, Dec 25th, January 1st, and April 2nd.

Jazz Dance for Moms Tuesdays, 7.00pm–8.00pm
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
$160 for moms with kids who are or have been in an Upstage program
$180 for moms new to Upstage

Location:Collenette Dance Studio, 922 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108. (click here for map)

After many requests, Upstage is excited to start a dance class for Moms taught by Broadway dancer and choreographer James Patrick Moran.

This will be an eight week program with classes taking place every Tuesday between 7pm and 8pm from March 19th (no class on April 2nd)

What this class is
This is for moms who would enjoy a fun work out and meeting some other moms, whilst working on some of the latest choreography as seen on Broadway (think A Chorus Line, Chicago etc.) Experience is absolutely not necessary and all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness will be very welcome — you will not need to eat only celery for a month to participate!

What this class is not
This is not for those women who have extensive dance experience and will turn up in the latest spandex dance gear!

James Patric Moran

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