Afternoon Theatre School

This is a beautiful time of year in Eastern Oregon. The canopy of red, orange, and green above us, the crisp autumn air filling our lungs; The cold mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings surrounding us. It’s splendid.

Today prompted reflection, and I would like to share with you what your young performing artists have been experiencing at the the studio. I could not be more pleased with mNemosyne Studios’ current classes, and it has been a privilege and honor to witness it all.

Since September 14th — not even a month ago, my friends — I have witnessed our children and Teaching Artists interacting beautifully, honestly, earnestly, candidly, curiously, inquisitively, even sternly and gently. All interactions demonstrating genuine care and interest.

There have been struggles with big emotions, and in such moments, the Care and Interest that you have instilled in your children is nothing short of miraculous. Students, parents, and artists have addressed concerns with direct communication in a timely manner, and I thank you for your feedback, as well as your care for the children, teaching artists, and the studio. My appreciation runs deep.

Activities have spanned a vast array, and I am blown away by the skills these students are learning at their ages! We have even captured great photos which you can find on the website. I invite you to visit the homepage and see your theatre artists in action. 

Here are activities that occur in the studio regularly:

• All students have done physical activity such as dancing, jogging, jumping, spinning, acting, Twister, or Twizzle!
• Students who arrive during the drop-off hour have experienced leisurely time through lounging, free play, snacks and visiting. Some of them have also done their homework in that hour!
• Some students have created artwork in the Set and Prop Design and the Hair & Makeup classes. From fake wounds to fake hair, and from paintings to sculptures, their designs and creativity leave me amazed.
• Some have explored character development, body-space awareness, teamwork, relaxation techniques, memorization, and improvisation through theatre games and creative drama techniques. They have also learned musical theatre terminology and theatre industry practices in Musical Theatre Performance Fundamentals and Intro to Improv!
• Some have spent a good amount of time reading scripts and preparing for two one-act productions that they will perform throughout the studio’s season. This troupe is made up of great performers who make big choices and are willing to give it their all. The Youth Performance Troupe started off with so many illnesses and school obligations! Then, finally last night, we had all of our performers plus a potential new troupe member in the studio together.

All of this really has been marvelous to witness.

So, thank you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for honoring your children’s excitement when they share their successes and fun with you. Thank you for guiding your children to this level of commitment and wonder. Thank you for allowing your children to explore creatively.

I also want to recognize the Teaching Artists for their efforts and time. A couple of them answered the studio’s call for specific classes, a few proposed classes to the studio, and all of them built their classes/lessons. It is also a joy to witness their work, silliness, and dedication as they teach all of these fantastic skills to your thespians. They are doing great work!

And finally, please celebrate with the studio, as mNemosyne Studios was granted the School Age Recorded Program status with the state. This is an exciting step for the studio, and one that strengthens the studio’s vision to be the leading provider of performing arts education for youth in the region. We can now offer full-day workshops and camps with drop-off and pick-up hours and provide snacks during non-school days for 1st through 6th grade students! 

I’d like to close with one more piece of great news and an offer for parental involvement/support.

mNemosyne Studios is building its non-profit programming through a fiscal sponsorship. This means a Steering Committee will be drafting budgets, grant applications, outreach opportunities, meeting with our fiscal sponsor, and more. If you are a parent with skills and the capacity to help in this project, please let the studio know. The program’s focus is Spring and Summer 2027 programming. We welcome inquiries and participation.

Sincerely,

Miss Rikki

Owner and Instructor

mNemosyne Studios