Week of July 9th – July 15th
UX Book Club: Reading the Classics Together
Instructors: Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green and Vicky Wallace
Read classic short stories, novels and go on an incredible journey to places you have never imagined. Be entertained by unforgettable stories, meet extraordinary characters, discover different cultures, learn world history, and be introduced to brilliant authors. Selections will be read in class, followed by lively discussions led by Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green, and Vicky Wallace. Three sessions.
Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Improv for Everyone
Instructor: Marian Rich
AGE: 14 and older
You must attend the first class to attend the others
Improvisation, the ability to accept offers from fellow performers and create something new together, is the key to all good performance – and a vital life skill. Learn the basics of improv from Marian Rich, a founder of the Castillo Theatre and a long-time improviser, actress and comedian. Three sessions.
Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
South of the Border: An Introduction to U.S.-Latin American Relations
Instructor: Cecilia Salvatierra
Mexico’s notorious dictator, Porfirio Diaz once said, “Poor Mexico! So far from God, so close to the United States.” He might have been referring to all of Latin America. This course will explore the contentious and unequal relationship between the United States and Latin America. Using primary source documents and visual documentaries, students will have historically guided conversations about significant policies and events such as the Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, Central American and Caribbean interventions, the Cold War, the Cuban revolution, and south-north migration. Led by Cecilia Salvatierra, history lecturer at LaGuardia Community College.
Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
New Timers Improv Workshop
Instructors: Susan Massad and Allen Cox
AGE: 55 and older
Play! Perform! Develop! Older adults learn theatre improvisation and create new developmental performances together. No performance or improvisation experience necessary, just a willingness to play and try new things with new people. Led by Susan Massad and Allen Cox. Three sessions.
Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Counting: A Conversation About Numbers
Instructor: Lou Hinman
Did people always know how to count? When did counting begin – and why? Do we need numbers? In this free-wheeling conversation led by Lou Hinman of the East Side Institute’s Developmental Philosophy Group, we will consider these and other questions about numbers, as well as our long history developing and using them. Will this class be full of surprises? Count on it! Three sessions.
Tuesdays, July 12,19, 26
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Week of July 16th– 22nd
UX Book Club: Reading the Classics Together
Instructors: Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green and Vicky Wallace
Read classic short stories, novels and go on an incredible journey to places you have never imagined. Be entertained by unforgettable stories, meet extraordinary characters, discover different cultures, learn world history, and be introduced to brilliant authors. Selections will be read in class, followed by lively discussions led by Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green, and Vicky Wallace. Three sessions.
Saturdays, July 16, 23
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
South of the Border: An Introduction to U.S.-Latin American Relations
Instructor: Cecilia Salvatierra
Mexico’s notorious dictator, Porfirio Diaz once said, “Poor Mexico! So far from God, so close to the United States.” He might have been referring to all of Latin America. This course will explore the contentious and unequal relationship between the United States and Latin America. Using primary source documents and visual documentaries, students will have historically guided conversations about significant policies and events such as the Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, Central American and Caribbean interventions, the Cold War, the Cuban revolution, and south-north migration. Led by Cecilia Salvatierra, history lecturer at LaGuardia Community College.
Saturdays, July 16, 23
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
New Timers Improv Workshop
Instructors: Susan Massad and Allen Cox
AGE: 55 and older
Play! Perform! Develop! Older adults learn theatre improvisation and create new developmental performances together. No performance or improvisation experience necessary, just a willingness to play and try new things with new people. Led by Susan Massad and Allen Cox. Three sessions.
Tuesdays, July 19, 26
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Counting: A Conversation About Numbers
Instructor: Lou Hinman
Did people always know how to count? When did counting begin – and why? Do we need numbers? In this free-wheeling conversation led by Lou Hinman of the East Side Institute’s Developmental Philosophy Group, we will consider these and other questions about numbers as well as our long history developing and using them. Will this class be full of surprises? Count on it! Three sessions.
Tuesdays, July 19, 26
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Week of July 23rd-29th
UX Book Club: Reading the Classics Together
Instructors: Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green and Vicky Wallace
Read classic short stories, novels and go on an incredible journey to places you have never imagined. Be entertained by unforgettable stories, meet extraordinary characters, discover different cultures, learn world history, and be introduced to brilliant authors. Selections will be read in class, followed by lively discussions led by Dr. Jessie Fields, Nancy Green, and Vicky Wallace. Three sessions.
Saturday, July 23
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
South of the Border: An Introduction to U.S.-Latin American Relations
Instructor: Cecilia Salvatierra
Mexico’s notorious dictator, Porfirio Diaz once said, “Poor Mexico! So far from God, so close to the United States.” He might have been referring to all of Latin America. This course will explore the contentious and unequal relationship between the United States and Latin America. Using primary source documents and visual documentaries, students will have historically guided conversations about significant policies and events such as the Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, Central American and Caribbean interventions, the Cold War, the Cuban revolution, and south-north migration. Led by Cecilia Salvatierra, history lecturer at LaGuardia Community College.
Saturday, July 23
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Development 101
Instructor: Dr. Lenora Fulani
How can our children become learners in a dysfunctional school system? How can we grow in a society that’s falling apart? How do we develop with crisis all around us? These, and related questions, are the basis of this once-a- semester conversation Dean Lenora Fulani has with UX students.
Saturday, July 16rd
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
New Timers Improv Workshop
Instructors: Susan Massad and Allen Cox
AGE: 55 and older
Play! Perform! Develop! Older adults learn theatre improvisation and create new developmental performances together. No performance or improvisation experience necessary, just a willingness to play and try new things with new people. Led by Susan Massad and Allen Cox. Three sessions.
Tuesday, July 26
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Counting: A Conversation About Numbers
Instructor: Lou Hinman
Did people always know how to count? When did counting begin – and why? Do we need numbers? In this free-wheeling conversation led by Lou Hinman of the East Side Institute’s Developmental Philosophy Group, we will consider these and other questions about numbers as well as our long history developing and using them. Will this class be full of surprises? Count on it! Three sessions.
Tuesday, July 26
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Week of July 30th– August 5th
Artist Gym
Co-facilitated by Electric Eye Ensemble members Sarah Plotkin and Olivia Luna
In partnership with Electric Eye Ensemble, a collaborative theatre company, UX invites you to explore the idea of expansion and development in yourself and your community. Through movement and discussion, we will investigate how people grow in relation to one another and the spirituality of that connection. How can you develop as yourself and also to be bigger than yourself, as part of a community? This workshop will be co-facilitated by Electric Eye Ensemble members Sarah Plotkin and Olivia Luna, theatre makers dedicated to creating socially-engaged theatre in collaboration with people of all backgrounds. Prior training not necessary, everyone is welcome!
Saturday, July 23
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Acting for Everyone
Instructors: Madelyn Chapman and David Blasher
AGE: 14 and older
You must attend the first class to attend the others
This course focuses on developing students’ powers of observation and imagination, two key elements of the art of acting. Students will work on scenes with professionally trained actors, led by Madelyn Chapman, Castillo Theatre actress, director, and producer and David Blasher, actor and former Youth Onstage! teacher. Three sessions.
Saturdays, July 30, August 6, 13
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
You’ve Got Something to Say (or How to Write an Essay)
Instructor: Caroline Donnola
Everybody’s got something to say, but we often have trouble finding the right words. Would you like to write a letter to the editor to sound off about an issue of the day, but you’re not sure how to do it? Do you want to go to college, but you don’t feel comfortable writing the essay? Do you have a paper to write for work, but have difficulty figuring out how to get started? In this class you will learn, with Caroline Donnola, the basics of how to express yourself in writing for real life situations. This class will include: how to write effectively and persuasively; how to be clear and concise; and how to edit and proofread your work. Bring in your questions, concerns, and ideas about how you want to further develop your writing skills. Three sessions.
Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Public Speaking
Instructor: David Nackman
AGE: 14 and older
You must attend the first class to attend the others.
Public speaking is an important social and performance skill. Learn how to talk effectively in front of groups of people with David Nackman, creative director of Performance of a Lifetime and longtime Castillo Theatre actor and director. Three sessions.
Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Week of August 6th– 12th
The Art of Collage: Putting It All Together
Instructor: Lisa Dombrow
Collage, like life, is the art of bringing together different kinds of things to create something new. Join Lisa Dombrow-artist, educator, play advocate, and museum professional-to explore and play with different materials, including papers, fabrics, images, and text in a relaxed and fun environment. No previous artistic experience necessary. One session.
Saturday, August 6
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
You’ve Got Something to Say (or How to Write an Essay)
Instructor: Caroline Donnola
Everybody’s got something to say, but we often have trouble finding the right words. Would you like to write a letter to the editor to sound off about an issue of the day, but you’re not sure how to do it? Do you want to go to college, but you don’t feel comfortable writing the essay? Do you have a paper to write for work, but have difficulty figuring out how to get started? In this class you will learn, with Caroline Donnola, the basics of how to express yourself in writing for real life situations. This class will include: how to write effectively and persuasively; how to be clear and concise; and how to edit and proofread your work. Bring in your questions, concerns, and ideas about how you want to further develop your writing skills. Three sessions.
Tuesdays, August 9, 16
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Week of August 13th– 19th
Musical Improv
Instructors: Marian Rich and Frank Spitznagel
This workshop is only open to students who have previously taken “Improv for Everyone” at UX. Limited to the first 16 students.
Learn how to improvise a song with Marian Rich, a long time improv performer at the Castillo Theatre (and teacher of UX’s “Improv for Everyone”), and Frank Spitznagel, pianist and professional musical improvisor. Through fun warm-ups and exercises, you’ll learn how to create a group Opening Number. You don’t need to be an experienced singer. One session.
Saturday, August 13
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Performing Science: Conversations with Raquell Holmes
Instructor: Raquell Holmes
Many of us are intimidated by science, math, and technology. Yet science isn’t anything more than human beings like us working to understand the world around us. Join Dr. Raquell Holmes, founder and director of Improvscience, in having playful and creative conversations about and around questions like: What’s scientific and what’s not? What is a scientific experiment? How does science impact how we see the world? One session.
Saturday, August 13
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
You’ve Got Something to Say (or How to Write an Essay)
Instructor: Caroline Donnola
Everybody’s got something to say, but we often have trouble finding the right words. Would you like to write a letter to the editor to sound off about an issue of the day, but you’re not sure how to do it? Do you want to go to college, but you don’t feel comfortable writing the essay? Do you have a paper to write for work, but have difficulty figuring out how to get started? In this class you will learn, with Caroline Donnola, the basics of how to express yourself in writing for real life situations. This class will include: how to write effectively and persuasively; how to be clear and concise; and how to edit and proofread your work. Bring in your questions, concerns, and ideas about how you want to further develop your writing skills. Three sessions.
Tuesday, August 16
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Week of August 20th– 26th
UX Poetry Snap
UX and its community is full of creative people who have something to say. Join other UX students in sharing your poetry at this non-competitive, celebratory UX Poetry Snap. Each reader is limited to two minutes and must enroll in advance to participate in this public poetry performance that will bring the UX summer semester to a climax!
Saturday, August 20
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.