HUNTSVILLE – All you need is an excessive character, extravagantly colorful costumes, a simple fairy tale plot, and a catchy tune to attract people to the theater.
Now introducing young people to the magic of the stage, a world of bright lights, raucous laughter, and unlimited creativity is not just an educational choice. Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy is expanding its academic programming to include a Fine Arts Preschool pilot program that specializes in early childhood development through the arts.
The organization has hired Huntsville native and local educator Maegan McLaughlin as the preschool education coordinator.
Along with more than a decade as an educator, McLaughlin is a board-certified music therapist and has served with the organization’s classroom initiative. The initiative consists of working with teachers and students in Madison, Madison County, Athens, and other Title 1 program schools to share the theater arts.
“(Fantasy Playhouse) has always held a special place in my heart,” said McLaughlin, who worked with the Fantasy Players teen acting troupe. “I look forward to many more wonderful years of working to bring laughter, joy, and theatre through enrichment to the Tennessee Valley as the preschool education coordinator.”
According to a news release, an early theatrical arts education teaches children the freedom of creativity, increases their reading and comprehension skills, improves their math capabilities, and instills a higher level of self confidence. The curriculum includes acting classes, creative movement, music therapy, yoga, mixed media processing, developing critical thinking skills, and more.
The program starts Sept. 7. Classes meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuition is $140 per week. Registration is available in person or by phone. For more information, visit here. Space is limited for the pilot program.
Fantasy Playhouse expects to expand the program when its 35,700-square-foot campus on Holmes Avenue opens.
The facility is supported by Fantasy’s “Spotlight on the Future” capital campaign. For information, click here.
