Coldwater, MI - From learning acting techniques to design and show production, students interested in theatre have a chance to explore with professionals of Tibbits Summer Theatre during a week-long workshop June 11 through 17.

Veteran Tibbits Summer Theatre company member and theatre instructor Chad Tallon will lead two acting workshop sessions with assistance from company members Dennis Dizon and Rachel Sarles. Former Tibbits Technical Director Lexa Walker will lead the afternoon technical theatre workshop with assistance from company member Tyler Evans. The sessions culminate with one showcase on June 17 for students to show off their new skills.

The acting sessions are split into two: A morning session from 9am to noon is available to students grades 7-12 while the afternoon session from 1-4pm is available to students grades 3-6. Students will hone their acting skills. Through acting games and collaboration exercises students will learn to be comfortable on stage before quickly transferring into ‘rehearsal’ mode to work on the workshop’s performance showcase.

Additionally, the exciting 1-4pm afternoon session for students in grades 7-12 explores technical theatre and the world of theatrical design. Whether exploring lighting, prop, set, or sound design, the sessions will give a well-rounded, hands-on technical education where students will work on becoming the crew for the performance showcase (when they’re not performing, if they are doing both sessions).

No previous experience with theatre is required. Together the workshops will present a final showcase Saturday, June 17 at 3pm at Tibbits Opera House. A full workshop schedule is available at Tibbits.org. Parents are responsible for lunch and transportation between sessions.

The fee for one workshop session is $150 or $125 for Tibbits members. The fee to attend both workshop sessions is $250 with a discounted price of $200 for Tibbits members. Scholarships for a reduced workshop fee are available with an application deadline of May 19.

In addition to the workshop instruction, participants receive a t-shirt and a ticket to attend the Saturday June 17 performance of “Aladdin’s Luck”, a professional Tibbits Popcorn Theatre production. 

Workshop registration must be completed by May 26. Online registration is available at Tibbits.org.

The workshop, now in its fifth year, is generously sponsored by Frederick Family Dental, ASAMA Coldwater Manufacturing, and the Babcoke family.

In their fourth year as a Tibbits sponsor, Dr. Frederick and his staff are excited to give to such a cultural cornerstone in the Coldwater community. Dr. Frederick says, “Tibbits was a part of my formative years. I took part in plays like The Music Man and A Christmas Carol, and volunteered as a stage hand for our high school productions. I am excited to now be able to start to give back all that Tibbits has given me.”

For the past three years, ASAMA Coldwater Manufacturing has co-sponsored this workshop. Asama Coldwater Manufacturing (ACM), a leader in manufacturing of precise and high quality products for the automotive industry, has been supporting Tibbits since it first opened the Coldwater facility in 1996.

This is the Babcoke family’s first year sponsoring the Kids Theatre Workshop.  Kathie & George Babcoke’s granddaughter, Peyton, has been a participant in the Theatre Workshop for two years and is returning for a third year this year. “It has been a great experience for her, and she has made many friends and learned a lot.” The Babcokes wanted to help support the Tibbits’ Theatre Workshop so that kids who want to take part can participate in this wonderful experience.

Workshop sessions will be held at the Hope Church in Coldwater, Tibbits, or another rehearsal location in Coldwater, with the showcase held at Tibbits Opera House, located at 14 S. Hanchett in Coldwater. For more information on the workshop or other Tibbits events call 517-278-6029 or visit Tibbits.org.