Falling Into Step

As the weather cools and we find ourselves more indoors than out, classes at Upstart Crow challenge our creative instincts.

Mask Making by Dr. Hoolala is a number one pick this month. With Halloween around the corner, you can design and create a mask that will make you a hit during this ghoulish season. Have fun learning how to make a life mask you can use to make a mask that is true fit to your face. Working with the master, you will learn techniques and be inspired by the artistic masks that surround you and the magic of the master himself. Classes are available for adults and kids so spend October harvesting your creative side.

Project Voice with Alli Bach is singers dream. Alli comes with rave reviews to the Studios and will teach you how to use your voice wisely and learn habits on the care and feeding of your vocal cords. The play on words to project the voice as well as making your voice the project, speaks to how the class will help with communication, theatre and singing skills. We encourage kids interested in the theatre program to work with Alli this year in these exciting classes.

We are excited to bring to you the newest performance art opportunity at the Crow. Rhythms Recycled Ensemble will be a fascinating look at using recycled materials in a performance art project with percussion, dance and rhythm. Students will work to gather materials, make them into a work of art that is functional as a pitched percussive energy that will keep the dancers hearts and feet moving to the beat. 2010 performances in local venues, including the Eugene Celebration. Join this group for some hot nights in the cold winter months ahead.

Sign up for our e-newsletter and get all the latest details and updates. Whatever you are looking for, look to the Crow for the best in youth performing arts!

Eugene's Got Talent!

Eugene's Got Talent or at least we liked to see some of it. Upstart Crow Studios is hosting a Community Talent Show and we would like to invite everyone to come on down and show us what you got. Everyone who auditions is in, as is our policy, but we are looking for family oriented material for our audiences. And it's free!

Can you juggle, sing, dance, do magic - how about comedy? Since the halls are full of laughter around here, there must be some talented people just waiting to strut their stuff. What about sword swallowing? Now that would be something different! Ask around and find out just who has talent among your crew and send them our way.

The Auditions are on October 5th in the Crows Nest Theatre from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. We want to see what kind of a line up we can present at our Brother, Can You Spare A Buck? event on October 17th. The talent show will be the headlining event along with "Everything's A Dollar". Yes, that's right - EVERYTHING is a dollar. From food to entertainment and auction items, this event is a one size fits all wallets. And the price of admission is ONLY A DOLLAR! Show us what you got and let the Crow put you on stage!

The 2009-2010 Stage Door Team!

Here it is. The moment you have all been waiting for...Upstart Crow proudly presents the Stage Door Production Team for the 2009-2010 theatre season!

Stage Door members have committed themselves to a year of study and performance. They start their season with an intense 2 day workshop with our professional instructors. This year's team will have an opportunity to work with Alli Bach, our vocal teacher, Rainey Taylor, a theatre professional from Los Angeles now residing here in Eugene and Brenda Cook, a movement artist and choreographer.

Cast members will work with each of these professionals during the year honing their skills and gaining a wealth of experience from these teachers. The workshops begin on November 7th and will be scheduled throughout the year to work on theatre skills and rehearse for upcoming performances.

This year's performances include Portland's Rave In The Nave, Little Shop of Horrors, Art In The Vineyard, Willamette Blues and Brew Festival, Hult Showcase and the Eugene Celebration. We will also be taking a group to see Disney's The Lion King in Portland. And all Stage Door members receive an additional 10% discount on any other theatrical productions they choose during the year!

Stage Door members are strongly encouraged to work more intensely with Alli Bach in our Project Voice class. Not only does this class help develop good posture, breathing and vocal techniques, it works on developing the power to project the voice enhancing volume and proper diction. Essential to all triple threat enthusiasts, this class will be offered on Mondays before the theatre production schedule on Monday nights. Perfect way to warm up the pipes!

All That! Dance Company, our resident dance company, also offers Musical Theatre class that develops the choreography and musical theatre dance steps basic to every theatrical production. These classes are available on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. You may register for this class through All That! Dance at their website www.allthatdancecompany.com

We still have ONE spot left as we limit this group to 20 students. Could it be yours?

The team stands - Stefhani Anderson, Ben Brown, Abby Cooper, Conner Criswell, Taylor Dalton, Taylor Doble, Ila Drumm, Charlie Emery, Holley Flora, Cortney Grant, Kevin Hagel, Diamond Huynh, Emma Mowry, Victoria Richards, Cassie Serra, Maggie Shidek, Courtney Volta, Sadie Waddell, Aidan Ziegler Hansen!

Making A Difference

"This place must be the best kept secret in Eugene", says Lane Arts Council Director, Douglas Beauchamp. What is not a secret is the difference Upstart Crow Studios is making in the lives of the young people who come to the Crow.

This summer we have been hard at work making the power of creative expression a reality for a talented young artist. Joel Fish knocked on the door asking what he could do to make a difference. His vision began on a blank wall on the catwalk over the main dance studio. It was there he found a canvas that awakened his power to express a powerful message to all who pass through. 

Two simple words now grace the catwalk wall. Pursue. Passion. From vision to execution, Joel captured the essence of the energy in this building. The small addition of motivators - "if you can dream it, you can do it" and "the power of creative expression" boldly speak to what happens at the Crow. 

Upstart Crow Studios proudly joins the Last Friday Artwalk in the Whiteaker neighborhood. Artwalkers are compelled by the message and at once engaged in the possibilities. Becoming less of a secret and more the talk of the town, Upstart Crow Studios looks forward to another outstanding season.

Tea With Tights

Stage Door Productions Team took the stage this weekend at Tea With Tights, an annual fundraiser for the All That! Dance Team. We were invited to be a part of the cabaret style show served up to audience members along with a full tea service. There were 23 dance numbers with dancers ranging in age from itty bitty 3 to 5 year olds to teens and every age between.

Stage Door performed You Can't Stop The Beat! one of the 5 numbers from their latest stage production. They have performed at Festival of The Trees at the Valley River Inn and will be performing at The Studio in the Hult Performing Arts Plaza in a Youth Performing Artists Celebration on April 5th. Next stop is a performance for a local school, River Road School, winner of the Dance With The Stars competition last October.

Great group of performers! Our youngest member was a shining definition of the show must go on. She performed on Saturday despite being sick for the past few days and feeling feverish at the show. She was rewarded with a few cookies and hugs all around (with the exception of her older brother) from her team mates. Bravo to one and all!

Theater camps

Lots of fun ways to spend the summer here at the Crow! Check out our theater camps, dance camps - yes, even a pirate camp!

Ongoing Classes

Along with our production of The Secret Garden and class offerings from All That! Dance, Upstart Crow Studios hosts several classes open to the community.

Iwalani Chafran teaches the expressive art of hula to students of all ages through Island Arts Productions. Hula classes currently meet in Studio 1 on Tuesdays 6pm-7pm. Call or email Iwalani for more details. 541-688-6585 iwalani1@msn.com

On the other side of the expressive dance spectrum, Tobey Johnston offers a breakdance class open to ages 10 and up. Classes meet in the Crow's Nest Theater on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Call Tobey Johnston at 541-953-5102 to sign up.

These two amazing instructors have taken full advantage of our beautiful studio spaces. Imagine what you might teach. Send your class proposals to info@upstartcrowstudios.com