By Judith Stiles
Volume 73, Number 7 | June 16 – 22, 2004
BIZKIDS helps youths unmask the actor inside
If you think the community activities at Pier 40 are all about sports, look again. Take a walk past the baseball and soccer games, down the south side of the pier, past the kayakers and fishermen, and you will find a thriving theater arts school nestled in the building, called BIZKIDS. Although director Peggy Lewis has been teaching drama for over 20 years BIZKIDS has had its home at Pier 40 since January 2001.
“Our conservatory provides professional training for young actors, but it is about much more than that,” says Lewis. “Our job is to encourage young actors to explore many different techniques that will enable them to become an effective communicator that leads to an empowered and appreciative audience.”
Classes are given in mime, mask, space improvisation, speech, dance/movement, musical theater, film, stage combat, clown, script interpretation for film and theater, and even juggling. Lewis is quick to point out that a few of her students with diagnosed learning disabilities have flourished with the juggling, which develops hand-eye coordination and the ability to concentrate, while learning a “sport” that is loads of fun.
One of the most popular classes is “Mask,” in which students don masks ranging from pure white and plain, to wrinkly faces, pig-like features and even masks resembling creatures from outer space. Believing that masks will free the actor to assume a new persona, new characters and improvisational scenes are created on the spot with these colorful masks that were beautifully crafted by artist Dottie Sheppard.
“I teach the actors to trust themselves and that there is no right or wrong,” adds Lewis as she holds up a mask, demonstrating in her best cackly grandmother voice.
The students range from 7 to 67 years old, while the majority of students are 11 to 16 years old. They can pick and choose from a smorgasbord of classes, perhaps studying the traditional Stanislasvki method, or a class in how to snag a part in a television commercial, film or theater.
So if your child wants a break from reading, writing and arithmetic, check out BIZKIDS for an array of summer classes beginning July 5. And if you happen to be at Pier 40, stop by their workshop, try on a mask yourself and partake in Peggy Lewis’ dream. . .to open a community theater in the round so more local drama buffs can enjoy the theater right in their own backyard.
