Classes and Educational Programs
New Tampa Performing Arts Center is where the arts can be enjoyed, celebrated, and taught through educational programs and classes. Led by experienced instructors, the programming spans a wide range of styles and disciplines and is designed for all skill levels.
Registration is open for Winter Session classes. Session I classes begin on Monday, Jan. 6, and run through Feb. 22.
Drama & Acting Classes
Acting Boot Camp
Has your child ever dreamed of pursuing an acting career? Acting Boot Camp is a fast-paced class with inside information on acting techniques and performance skills designed to jumpstart a career on the stage or screen. Students will have their headshots taken and be presented with a folder called “The Actors Toolbox,” which will be a guide to launch them on their professional career.
Tuesdays at 6 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Saturdays at 11 AM: Kids (Ages 7-13)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Becoming the Character
Through the process of character analysis and creation, students will embark on a journey to mold unique, believable characters through improv, movement, vocal characterization, and much more. The process will be based on established characters from established works of theatrical literature.
Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Duration: 75 minutes
Tuition: $175
To Tech or Not to Tech
For every on-screen or on-stage performer the audience sees, there are handfuls of people behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. This interactive technical theater class will take students behind the curtain to learn about lights, sound, stage management, sets, costumes, and stage make-up. Students must wear closed-toe shoes.
Thursdays at 3 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Thursdays at 5 PM: Tweens and Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Acting C.S.I.
Acting C.S.I. is a fun, investigative way to break down a scene and perform creatively!
Students step into different characters while exploring the fundamentals of storytelling through cold readings, scene study, and improvisation. This class starts out with fun acting games where students get to know each other better. Then students are taught an investigative approach to performing a scene.
Saturdays at 12 PM: Tweens & Teens and Adults (Ages 10+)
Duration: 60 minutes
Tuition: $70
Mini Acting
This class is an introduction to acting. Children will tap into their inner star and learn acting basics through creative play and fun, engaging activities. Students will learn to properly introduce themselves and practice their presentation and memorization skills.
Saturdays at 10 AM: Kids (Ages 4-6)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Tiny Techs
The performing arts are made up of a multitude of technical professions. Here’s a great chance to see what happens backstage. Students will learn about lights, sound, stage management, sets, costumes, and stage make-up. Students must wear closed-toe shoes.
Thursdays at 4 PM: Kids (Ages 4-9)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
The Play’s the Thing
Through ensemble work and team building, students will create, produce, and perform original work using rudimentary materials, inventive stagecraft, and the imagination. By learning the elements of what makes theatre and applying them to create a showcase experience. Students will delve into developing their material from the page to the stage including script writing, basic set design, character development/performance, and theatre critique.
Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 75 minutes
Tuition: $175
Acting to the CORE
This class is the first step in finding your inner acting star through ensemble work. Through group games and activities, students will get comfortable with performing in front of others. Acting to the CORE will scratch the surface of age-appropriate monologues and scenes.
Tuesdays at 2 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Wednesdays at 5 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Scene & Performance Workshop
Explore stage performance techniques that will help communicate a character’s action and intentions in a believable way. Exercises will explore sense memory and emotional recall, objectives and tactics, and non-verbal communication. The class will culminate in a scene performance from an established piece of theatre literature.
Mondays and Wednesdays at 5 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 75 minutes
Tuition: $175
Wing It Improv
In this class that’s all about improv acting, students will wing it and be silly. They’ll learn the basics of improv technique and skills that foster creativity, confidence, and active listening. While playing a variety of fun comical games, students will get to create fun scenes with simple prompts.
Thursdays at 6 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Fridays at 3 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Ballet Beginnings
Students will master the fundamentals of classical ballet, from graceful alignment to refined technique and vocabulary. Whether perfecting pirouettes or discovering the art of movement, this class brings the elegance and excitement of ballet to life. Students should come to class in non-baggy, comfortable clothing.
Saturdays at 10 AM: Kids and Tweens & Teens (Ages 4-17)
Saturdays at 11 AM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Dance & Movement Classes
Dance FUNdamentals
The first steps to a new student’s dance journey starts with proper technique. Students will learn rudimentary dance technique, barre work, and much more. As students become more comfortable with the basics of technique, they will progress to simple dance combinations.
Tuesdays at 5 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Tuesdays at 6 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Broadway Babies
Perfect for that rising sensation in the family that loves to sing and dance, this entry-level, play-based class will get that young star on the way to the spotlight through simple dance routines. Whether it’s to a Disney classic or contemporary Broadway show, dances will be high-energy and tons of fun.
Thursday at 4 PM: Kids (Ages 4-9)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Mommy & Me Jamboree
Enjoy bonding time through playful songs, simple movements, and fun rhythms designed to boost your baby's development while having fun together. No experience needed—just come ready to move and groove with your little one!
Thursdays at 3 PM
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $70
Creative Movement
During this exciting class, students will learn listening skills, coordination, and self-discipline through unique, creative movement-based games. Students will have fun doing a variety of moves to music using a variety of props.
Tuesdays at 4 PM: Kids (Ages 4-6)
Tuesdays at 4 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Stretch and Refresh
Unwind and recharge with this simple stretching class designed for parents and community members of all fitness levels. Enjoy a relaxing session focused on gentle stretches and mindful movement to help relieve tension and promote well-being.
Thursdays at 2 PM: All Ages
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $70
Music Classes
Music Rocks
Are you ready to rock?! Students will taste the rockstar life. This new hands-on music class gets energy pumping through percussion playing, music production, beginner music theory, and much more. The Music Rock rockstars will also get a chance to participate in hands-on work with state-of-the-art sound equipment.
Tuesdays at 3 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Tuesdays at 4 PM: Kids (Ages 4-9)
Tuesdays at 5 PM: Tweens and Teens (10-17)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
Onto the Broadway Stage
Get those tapping toes moving with this introductory dive into Broadway styles. In this class, students will analyze and practice Broadway performance through films, singing, simple dancing, and more. From Bob Fosse to Jerome Robbins, students will learn about Broadway’s biggest choreographers and their dance styles.
Wednesdays at 3 PM: Adults (Ages 18+)
Wednesdays at 4 PM: Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-17)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tuition: $55
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Darrin Person
DRAMA & ACTING FACULTY
Darrin Person is an actor, filmmaker, podcaster, cinema scholar, and historian with a Master of Fine Arts in theatre from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a bachelor’s degree in film studies from the University of Kansas. Person conducted his residency with The Missouri Rep and The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. He appeared in a production of Whose Life is It Anyway? at Kansas City’s American Heartland Theater.
He also appeared in productions of A Soldier’s Play, Picnic, and Mary Stuart. He taught theatre for the NYC Department of Education for 11 years and was a contributing member of the NYC/DOE’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, a department that was instrumental in establishing the Arts Based Standards and Assessments for the New York City school system.
Person was co-founder of The Brooklyn Summer Shakespeare-ience, a high school summer arts program that was awarded a proclamation from former Brooklyn Borough President and present NYC mayor Eric Adams. He learned cinematography at NYU and has taught urban filmmaking at The New School, theatre history at the John Jay College for Criminal Justice, and acting at the Harlem School of the Arts. -
Kathy Norman
DRAMA & ACTING FACULTY
Kathy Norman is a Florida State University acting graduate who has had an extensive career in film, television, and theatre. Beginning her professional career at FSU Repertory Theatre, she moved into television directing on the Home Shopping Network, in addition to becoming a speaking model for several product lines.
She then moved back to live performance in the Busch Gardens Comedy troupe. Other work of note includes entertainment staff on MV Costa Classica luxury cruise ship, dancer on a Dick Clark Productions TV special, performer on Animal Planet training videos, and an appearance in Dolphin Tale 2. Norman is now at New Tampa Performing Arts Center as acting instructor, house manager, and volunteer program leader. -
David Estevez
David Estevez, originally from South Florida, is a first-generation American of Cuban descent. He is a graduate of New World School of the Arts and an accomplished pianist, accompanist, and musical director. David served as the education director for the highly successful Miami Children’s Theatre educational program. Most recently, he has been a musical supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Lines, overseeing new productions around the world through their final rehearsal period to opening on cruise ships. His work in theatre, film, and cruise line entertainment has exposed him to the inner workings of the ever-changing music and theatre landscape.
