Center Stage

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Course Information for Performing Arts Track CENTER STAGE

CENTER STAGE I

24 weeks (6 months) of lecture phase in Kona
8-12 week (2-3 months) outreach phase
Course date: January - September 2010
Lecture fee: US$4,200 (Category A) per quarter
Outreach fee: US$6,000

CENTER STAGE I aims to help students to become a flexible, multi-skilled, rounded performing artist. It includes elements of dance, acting, singing and basics in digital stage design.

A range of dance techniques and styles are offered to implement physical skill levels, versatility and fitness. Hip Hop and Breakdance classes are taught in a fun and encouraging environment. Ballet classes provide the basis of almost all other dance techniques and form a basis of training during the course. Contemporary dance classes help increase the student's anatomical and kinaesthetic awareness and to develop a diverse range of dance dynamics. Jazz dance is offered which demands strength, stamina and precision. The course also provides a broad foundation in theater and music.

The course program includes:

Dance technique
Acting for the stage
Music and singing
Introduction to choreography
Introduction to new media

The course also equips students with a deeper knowledge of the Bible integrating various art forms in the creative learning process. 3-4 hrs. per day are scheduled for classroom sessions to learn more about biblical concepts for performing artists.

This school gives Christian artists the opportunity to be part of a creative, artistic community while at the same time giving our inner most beings and passions to God to use for His glory. The school begins with a 24-week lecture phase and continues with an 8-12 week performance tour.

CENTER STAGE II

24 weeks (6 months) of lecture phase in Kona
8-12 week (2-3 months) outreach phase
Course date: January - September 2011
Lecture fee: US$3,900 (Category A) per quarter
Outreach fee: US$4,000-5,000 (depending on the countries)

CENTER STAGE II builds on the foundations that have been established in CENTER STAGE I and takes the student to higher levels of difficulty in their skill level as a performing artist. The school will give the students a more coherent understanding of the performing arts in a biblical and socio-cultural framework.

Special emphasis is given to the roles and contexts of dance, theater and music in contemporary society. The course overall objective is to further equip students in becoming a progressive, flexible and multi-skilled performer. It includes advanced elements of acting, singing, dance and performance design.

The course program includes:

Choreographic and creative processes
Dance technique
New media
Collaborative practices
Creative and practical projects
Research methods

Once the student completes the school, the objective is that they would have an accurate understanding of the world, a greater understanding of the calling and role of the artist - specifically the power to bring spiritual and societal change - and have the confidence and clarity to bring a biblical transformational response to the communities they encounter through their art.

Excerpts of lecture topics:

Biblical Perspective of Life
Advanced Listening and Critical Thinking
Prayer and Transformation
The Calling of the Artist
Animism and the Eastern Worldview
Postmodernism, Pop-Culture and Neo-Paganism

Meet the school leader

Maria Jackson was born in Seoul, South Korea, and was "radically saved" while living as a young Buddhist hippie in the 1970s. Maria is a dancer and choreographer who has served for 20 years in YWAM in Korea, Hong Kong and Kona. Maria helped to pioneer U of N's School of Dance and the Windows Dance Company. "I am determined to live a life that counts for eternity. I don't want to waste a minute spending my energy on anything other than populating the Kingdom of God!"

Here is more of Maria's vision for the Performing Arts DTS:

Five years ago, the Lord led me and several other artist to create a non-profit organization called Heartbridge(www.goheartbridge.com), which is a dynamic community of professional artists dedicated to communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ through performing and visual arts. In the first few years of Heartbridge's existence, God opened doors for us to minister in Japan, Spain, and the United States

Credits

Upon successful completion of the CENTER STAGE I and CENTER STAGE II course you will receive a AA Degree in Performing Arts from the University of the Nations.