Sunny Side Theater Classes
Sunny Side Theater
The Sunny Side program is 100% child-centered! Every performance features only the talents and voices of the children themselves and every child who auditions is given a role in the show. At Sunny Side, there is a place for everyone! Children are given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the production from set painting to technical work. Founded in 2002 and expanded in 2008, Sunny Side provides a place for students seeking professional training in a lively, family-friendly environment. The Directors at Sunny Side have trained with the best in the business, including Tim McDonald and Cindy Ripley who wrote the only textbook in the world on how to teach musical theater.
In addition to a variety of classes, Sunny Side also brings professional actors to host workshops and participation in these workshops is open to all young actors in the community. In 2019, Tony Award nominee, Gavin Lee, traveled to the Center to conduct acting and dance workshops featuring choreography from two of his latest productions: Mary Poppins and Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical.
Visit www.sunnysidedrama.com for complete information on upcoming shows, auditions, cast lists, classes, camps, and productions.
Actor’s Edge Studio
Actor’s Edge Studio, founded by Baker Theatre Teacher, Eric Browne, offers intermediate acting, advanced acting, and film classes for students in middle school and high school. The classes are an intense experience for mature actors who seek a challenging atmosphere to study the many approaches, methods, and styles of theatrical performance.
Main Stage Productions
As Sunny Side Theater grew, the directors recognized the need to include special offerings to cater to all types and ages of youth. Each year Sunny Side Theater now offers five Main Stage Productions: a non-musical play in the fall, a show featuring Kindergarten through 5th grade students, a show featuring high school students and two full blown musicals! In conjunction with Disney Theatrical, Sunny Side collaborated with Full Scale School of music to stage a Pilot Production of Finding Nemo Kids becoming one of the first groups in the country to perform this show. In addition to classics like Beauty and the Beast and Tom Sawyer, Sunny Side Theater has produced Mobile’s first ever presentations of Elf, Frozen, Hairspray, The Lion King, and Bring It On.
Competition Team
Sunny Side Theater’s competition team has participated in national and statewide festivals for many years. Students on the competition team travel to Atlanta, California, Guntersville and host a local competition at the Center. In 2016, Director Chris Paragone received the Freddie G Fellowship at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, an award given to a limited number of theatre instructors each year. Most recently, the Sunny Side competition team won “Best in Show” at the Alabama Youth Theater Extravaganza for their production of The Lion King.
Drama Camp
Sunny Side Theater’s Drama Camps have been a Mobile fixture since 2002. What started as a two-week camp has turned into a full-time summer program meeting the needs of kids and families desiring an immersive experience. Campers play theater games, participate in show rehearsals, learn about styling and characterization, and paint sets all while putting together a full-length play. Of course, there is also plenty of time outdoors for games and water day, too! In addition to the original Drama Camp, Sunny Side offers several specialized camps. Rising Stars is a program for students in grades eighth and above. In Glee Camp, children learn songs and dances culminating in a final concert. The Musical Theater Intensive is an opportunity for children to work with a national award winning guest director while producing a musical. Drama Camp Jr. is a one week themed camp for the youngest students, teaching the basics of acting and allowing plenty of costume time.
