CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
At the American Theater Dance Workshop, we provide classes in a wide variety of genres for all ages and levels. Our Mission is to help our students build a strong technical foundation and inspire them on their pathway to becoming well-rounded artists. That is the driving force behind our offerings and our philosophy here at ATDW. Our illustrious artistic faculty is comprised of professional dancers, directors and choreographers from some of the greatest companies in the world, with years of performing and teaching experience. Our staff provides training to our students with strong technique and artistry. Students do NOT teach classes.
Ballet Classes – Ages 3 through Adult
Because we believe a strong knowledge of ballet technique is necessary for any dance student to be successful, this department is the backbone of our studio.
We offer:
Creative Dance (3-4.5 year old's): We provide a fun and nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore the joy of movement. This class is taught with age appropriate progressions based upon classical ballet and is designed to instill a strong love of dance. Parent is required to stay onsite.
Ballet & Tap Combo (5 & 6-year old's): Children are introduced to the fundamentals of ballet along with an introduction to tap dance. They will develop an excellent foundation for future dance training as well as a love for movement and music.
Classical Ballet is the foundation of all dance. In order to have proper technique for all dance disciplines, it is most important to study ballet. Our Ballet technique classes come in a wide variety of levels, starting with Beginner, moving to Intermediate, then to Graded Levels: A through E (advancement by recommendation and ability only). For teens and tweens who are new to Ballet, or have not studied Ballet since they were quite young, our Ballet for Teens program is a perfect fit!
Adult Ballet is offered Tuesday - Friday and Sunday for Beginner through advanced level students led by our professional faculty including: Veronica Lynn, Wendy Clark, Fleur Israel and Francesca Carillo as well as other top Guest Artists from NYC. These are drop-in classes, so there’s no need to formally enroll or commit to coming every week, making these classes perfect for anyone with a busy schedule! We offer Adult Beginner/Int Classes as well! Check out our Adult Class Schedule for a complete list of our Adult classes!
Adult Contemporary Theater Dance (Broadway Jazz Class) Offered on Thursday nights. Dance, Sweat, Laugh and embrace your inner Broadway star while gaining strength, stamina, balance and the technique to stand center stage. If you perform regionally, or want to learn how to audition for local performances - or just want to have fun listening to great Broadway and Contemporary music while exercising, this is the class for you. (drop-ins and class cards)
In addition to our Ballet Technique classes, we also offer a range of supplementary Ballet classes like Intermediate and Advanced Variations or Contemporary Ballet.
Contemporary Ballet is a genre of dance that incorporates elements of classical ballet and modern dance. Our Contemporary Ballet class will focus on choreography as well as specific technique and floor work used in Contemporary Ballet
In our Contemporary Ballet Repertory class, the studio becomes a stage, as students learn both new works and excerpts from Contemporary Ballets.
Musical Theater, Theater Dance, Tap Dance & Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz
Fulfill your dreams of becoming a Broadway dancer with musical theater, theater dance and tap dance classes. These dance classes are specially designed for those wanting to improve their dance technique or become a professional dancer.
Broadway Theater Dance (Theater Jazz)
Based on the Broadway era from the 1920s to the present, our theater dance classes are sure to capture the heart of anyone interested in the performing arts. In this course, students learn strong technique in jazz fundamentals as well as choreography derived from various Broadway styles. Teachers lead students through a center warm up including dynamic stretches, isolations, and core strengthening. This is followed by "across the floor" technique progressions and choreography. Theater Dance has standard levels that can be seen on our schedule.
For teens who are new to dance or are interested in gaining dance skills for performing in Musical Theater, our Teen Theater Dance class is perfect for you. Just like our other Theater Dance classes, Teen Theater Dance focuses on the styles of the Broadway Theater. The teacher will lead the students through a center warm up including stretches and core strengthening. This is followed by across the floor technique, and choreography.
Musical Theater & Dance (ages 6-8) is an introduction to and celebration of the foundational aspects of Musical Theater Singing, Dancing and Acting at its most foundational. This course will help young performers learn how to follow direction, learn staging and how to approach a song as a storytelling device both as a standalone piece and as part of a larger whole.
Musical Theater (singing and musical staging)
In this performance-based class, students work vocally with a Musical Director on songs from Broadway Musicals which are then staged and choreographed. Musical Theater is open to ages 8 and up. Musical Theater/Acting Performance Class In this performance-based class, students work vocally with a Musical Director and Choreographer on songs and scenes from Broadway Musicals which are then staged and choreographed. There will be an Acting Component where we will work on improvisations, acting technique, relaxation and vocal exercises, small scenes and group scenes. Musical Theater 15+ is open to ages 15 and up.
Tap Dance
During this course, we explore Broadway tap and other techniques. These various techniques are dependent upon the particular teacher and the teacher’s style. Similar to the Broadway theater dance course, the style of this class is based upon Broadway theater from the 1920s to the present. Students learn strong technique in jazz fundamentals and Broadway choreography.
Similar to our Teen Theater Dance class, we also offer a Teen Tap class outside of our standard tap levels. This class focuses on technique as well as choreography in the style of Broadway Tap.
Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz
Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz is a dance style that blends ballet and jazz dance. It is generally smoother and a bit faster than ballet, but not quite as fast as jazz. A lyrical dancer uses movement to express strong emotions such as love, joy and anger. Because lyrical dancing focuses on the expression of strong emotion, the style concentrates more on individual approach and expressiveness than the precision of the dancer's movements. Lyrical dancers usually perform to music with lyrics...the lyrics of the chosen song serve as inspiration for movements and expressions.
Contact us today to partake in musical theater, theater dance, tap, and lyrical/contemporary jazz dance classes.
Hip-Hop
Hip Hop is a fun energetic class where you learn a commercial dance style to popular music! We will be working on different hip hop styles and grooves, as well as learning new and challenging choreography. This class will give dancers a chance to expand their horizons and break out of their comfort zone, but most of all it will be super fun!
If you are not sure what level would be the best place for your dancer, please contact the office at 516-248-6420 or info@americantheaterdance.com or drop into the studio in Mineola, New York and we would be happy to assist you.
ATDW Studio Theater Acting Conservatory
Our acting program provides an advanced theatre training ground for Elementary, Middle, High School, and College-aged young people. Members of the group explore various acting techniques and styles by engaging in monologue and scene work. Each semester provides an opportunity for group members to showcase this work for a live audience. In addition to acting technique, rehearsal and performance, this group develops and manages an action plan to implement the technical aspects of their showcase production, and the marketing efforts that will ensure a successful community experience. Members of the group are engaged in reflection and discussion on what it means to be a theatre-maker and an active member of arts-based communities.
During this acting course students will learn how to tackle text work through monologues, scenes and original text! They will learn how to tell stories using vocal techniques, movement exercises, and ensemble driven practices. This course can provide the blueprints to anyone working towards audition prep for high school programs and BFA or BA degrees! The most important part of this course is learning how to tell stories on stage starting with YOU the actor and creator."
ATDW has been thriving in the arts education community on Long Island for over 35 years, under the guidance of Broadway Veterans Michelle and Jerome Vivona the conservatory style Program has added Broadway Master Classes, a black box theater and musical theater production classes as well as classes in vocal technique and performance. If your goal is to attend a high level college theater program, perhaps land a role in a Broadway show or your high school musical production or just gain more confidence speaking in front of other people, ATDW is the first, best and only place to begin or continue your studies.
JOIN THE FUN AT THE WORKSHOP.