Gleesical
What is Gleesical?
In short: Glee club + Music Theatre Program for Grades 1 and up
Gleesical is unique and organic at its roots: students are involved in each step to create their own musical theatre production. Unlike other programs where schools simply put up a set musical, Gleesical is a process-oriented program guiding students and giving them the tools to develop and grow as a musical collective.
In Kyra's own words:
Students bring one to two pieces of music to the group and write their own stories collaboratively (with storyboarding, movement choreography...etc) to showcase their pieces. The year culminates in a year-end musical theatre production in May. Two to three guest artists work with the students throughout the year (for example, an improv specialist, shadow puppeteer, fight choreographer...etc)
Students have autonomy over their production, learning all the components of what it takes to put on a show, from helping create props to making the program.
There are no auditions required, however, because the course is designed to teach students to work as a group as opposed to individual vocal coaching, students are required to meet with our Program Coordinator beforehand, who will assess each student and suggest if additional private vocal lessons would be helpful.
An end of the year production is part of the program, and a CD/DVD of accomplished songs and group process will be recorded throughout the year. This is your chance to make your OWN musical production with your friends, classmates and other CMC students!
Students signing up in September are required to commit for the whole year.
Extra rehearsals may be scheduled as required closer to the final performance date.
Who is teaching it?
Kyra Millan is our Program Co-ordinator and main coach for the program.
Soprano Kyra Millan has been successfully coaching voices in Canada and abroad since 1997. She has coached young aspiring singers, advised professional actors, and taught with theatre companies and choirs, Warner Brothers, Workman Arts and the Canadian Opera Company.
A passionate artist educator, Kyra has been thrilled to represent the Canadian Opera Company for the last seven years in more than 200 schools and in working with numerous communities across the city. She collaborates on the development of the education department's many programs and directs the Opera Company's vocal workshops. Kyra has also presented the Company's "create-an-opera" programs, the" Summer Youth Intensive" opera camp for teens, as well as this year's "Summer Opera Camp," a week-long program for children who sing in their own opera using actual excerpts from the season's productions.
Kyra grew up in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood, and has recently moved back here. She and her family are excited to be a part of this thriving, exciting community!
Gleesical has additional guest artists such as:
Rosanna Saracino, Director
Italian-Canadian director, Rosanna Saracino, is the Artistic Director of REDHANDED film and theatre, Artistic Director of art & lies productions, and the Head of Acting at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Rosanna works as a freelance director in theatre, film, for special events, and has worked as a dramaturg, writer, moderator, guest speaker and private acting coach.
Her work has been seen by special invitation at the Toronto Fringe Festival, at the Motel in Calgary, in association with One Yellow Rabbit, and at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. She has worked with such notable performers as actor Rachel McAdams, Gemini nominee Terra Hazelton, former RWB prima ballerina Evelyn Hart, award winning playwright Judith Thomson, Juno Nominated singer Carly Rae Jepsen, and the former bassist for Smashing Pumpkins and Hole, Melissa Auf Der Maur.
Upcoming productions include the world premiere of a live actor version of Ronnie Burkett's beautiful play Provenance (March, 2012), a production of Death (a play) by Woody Allen (November 2011), and a production of No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre (Passe Muraille, January 2012)
Cathy Nosaty, Composer
Cathy Nosaty enjoys a diverse career as a musician, composer, musical director and artist educator. She began her musical training as a classical pianst, and her love of collaborative work led her to dance, theatre and scoring to picture. As an Artist Educator she has worked in programs for Manitoba Artists in the Schools, Ontario Artists In Education, Learning Through The Arts with the Royal Conservatory Of Music, the Create-An-Opera Program for the Canadian Opera Company, the Childrenís Peace Theatre and Jumblies Theatre. She has created scores for theatre productions for regional and independent theatres across Canada, including music for over sixty productions for Manitoba Theatre For Young People, ten productions for Lorraine Kimsa Theatre and six productions for Ronnie Burkett Theatre Of Marionettes. She was Assistant Conductor/Keyboardist for the Toronto company of JERSEY BOYS, and was a founding member of theatre company CANADIAN CONTENT THEATRE which toured Canada performing for school and family audiences. She also scores documentary films including the animated trilogy DARK YEARS, co-composed with her partner Mark Korven.
When is it?
For our 2012-2013 Season:
Primary Gleesical: grades 1-3 :
Thursdays 4:00-5:00pm
Junior Gleesical: grades 4-6:
Wednesdays 4:00-5:30pm
Senior Gleesical: grades 7-8:
Wednesdays at 6:00-7:30pm
Gleesical classes will start on September 12, 2012.
How much does it cost?
Primary: For weekly 60 minutes classes, the cost is $320 per term (2 terms per year).
Junior & Senior: For weekly 90 minute classes, the cost is $480 per term. (2 terms per year).
*prices are subject to change without notice
Do parents need to volunteer their help?
Like any large student production, we will need as much help from parents and caregivers to support your children and teens for the final show. Please let us know what you are able and willing to do as a parent to help us make the show an amazing experience for all involved. We appreciate any help you are able to provide. Thank you!
