Performing Arts School Opens in Highwood

Critically acclaimed director-choreographer Stacey Flaster, of Highland Park, and vocal coach Elizabeth Fauntleroy, of Lincolnshire, announce the launch of The Performer’s School, Chicagoland’s premiere performing arts school in the north shore area.

The school kicks off with audition workshops for sixth through twelfth-graders who have a strong interest in the performing arts. A dance intensive and week-long summer program are also planned.  All classes and workshops will take place at the Highwood Recreation Center, 432 Green Bay Rd., in Highwood.

“We are pleased that the theater space created at the Highwood Recreation Center will provide a home for our classes,” said Fauntleroy. “Stacey and I have more than 40 years of professional theater experience combined, and our passion is helping students be successful for auditions and on stage.”

The classes are the outgrowth of private coaching and highly successful classes that began in 2012 under the tutelage of Flaster and Fauntleroy. “Students who have a dream of being successful in theater will gain confidence after learning tools and skills,” said Flaster. “We will provide students with personalized coaching on songs and monologues to optimize their audition experiences. If it helps forge a path into a performing career, so much the better.”

The audition workshops will be held on Feb. 9 and 23, March 16 and April 6. The individual sessions will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (March 16 class is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). The cost is $200 for each workshop. Students can sign up for any number of workshops, and there is a discount with registration of two or more classes. Workshops are designed for sicth grade to twelfth grade students with performance experience, either in school, community or professional theater.

Flaster will also lead a musical theater dance intensive for serious musical theater students. Classes are scheduled for April 13, 20 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The class will feature different styles of musical theater dance each week. The intensive costs $240 for all three days. All levels of dance are encouraged to register.

The school will offer a five-day audition clinic from June 10-14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Students will be coached in cold readings, monologues, dance, voice, audition etiquette, acting through song, choosing audition repertory, resume and photo presentation. The summer clinic costs $650 for the full week. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

A website for the school is forthcoming. For enrollment and further information, call (847) 528-9318 or contact by email at Staceydans@aol.com.