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.
Register for Summer Session I classes today!
Dance Curriculum
Creative Movement (Ages 6-9)
Contemporary Movement Forms (Ages 15+)
For intermediate to advanced dancers, this class explores elements pulled from the foundations of ballet technique, improvisation, contemporary ballet barre, and center work. After an improvisational warmup, dancers will explore extended lines and irregular shapes, counterbalance, weight shift, and other principles common in contemporary and modern dance.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that allows for a full range of movement. For footwear, socks or dance shoes are acceptable.
Instructor: Sarah Walston Phillips
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:45 PM
Tuition: $150
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:15 PM
Session Includes 7 Classes: June 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 & July 2
Tuition: $85
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:15 PM
Session Includes 8 Classes: July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 & August 1
Tuition: $85
A structured program designed to foster early development of rhythm and movement, this class provides a carefully paced sequence of exercises to advance physical skills. Through an introduction to dance movement, stories, and props, little ones will learn about self-discipline, listening, memorization, and coordination while engaging in creative activities.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that allows for a full range of movement. For footwear, socks or dance shoes are acceptable.
Instructor: Sarah Walston Phillips
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 PM
Tuition: $100
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Class Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10-10:45 AM
Session Includes 11 Classes: June 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27, July 1 & 2
Tuition: $85
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Class Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10-10:45 AM
Session Includes 12 Classes: July 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 29, 30 & August 1
Tuition: $85
Adult Beginner/Intermediate Ballet (Ages 15+)
This class will focus on teaching the fundamentals of classical ballet technique. After beginning with a light stretch, dancers will move to the barre to focus on building blocks of technique, followed by basic center work combinations. This class will foster an understanding of classical ballet alignment, technique, and vocabulary in addition to improved coordination, balance, posture, and opportunity for creative expression.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing. For footwear, barefoot, socks or ballet shoes are acceptable.
Instructor: Sarah Walston Phillips
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Ages 18+ for Winter-Spring Session II.
Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM
Tuition: $150
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 PM
Session Includes 7 Classes: June 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 & July 2
Tuition: $70
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Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 PM
Session Includes 8 Classes: July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 & August 1
Tuition: $70
Drama & Acting Curriculum
Acting C.S.I. (Cold Readings. Scene Study. Improvisation.) (Ages 11+)
Acting C.S.I. is a fun, investigative way to learn how to break down a scene and perform creatively! Student artists will step outside of their egos and into different characters while exploring the fundamentals of storytelling through cold readings, scene study, and improvisation.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that allows for a full range of movement.
Instructor: Kathy Norman
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Class Times: Saturdays from 10-10:45 AM
Tuition: $60
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Class Times: Saturdays from 12-1 PM
Session includes 4 classes: June 8, 15, 22 & 29
Tuition: $40
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Class Times: Saturdays from 12-1 PM Session includes 4 classes: July 6, 13, 20 & 27
Tuition: $40
Character Transformation (Ages 13+)
Focusing on the process of character creation, the student artist will flesh out a character with the use of improvisation, body movement, vocal characterization, mask work, and text analysis. Using text material as a blueprint, the student artist will transform into a living, breathing character that is original and unique.
Materials and suggested attire: Please bring a journal to class, and wear comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that provides a full range of movement.
Instructor: Darrin Person
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Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM
Tuition: $150
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Acting for the Camera (Ages 13+)
Designed for all skill and experience levels, this class will focus on video and cinema acting techniques. Student artists will learn the methodologies necessary for non-linear performance and the subtleties of performing subtext.
Materials and suggested attire: Please bring a journal and a 3 to 5-minute scene, monologue, or short text from a play or screenplay to class. Suggested attire is comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that provides a full range of movement.
Instructor: Darrin Person
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Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 PM
Tuition: $150
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Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7:15 PM
Session includes 7 classes: June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24 & 26
Tuition: $85
Register -
Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7:15 PM
Session includes 8 classes: July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31
Tuition: $85
The Play’s the Thing (Ages 13+)
In this class, student artists will utilize the craft of improvisation and ensemble work to create, produce, and perform original sketches using rudimentary materials, inventive stagecraft, and the imagination.
Materials and suggested attire: Please bring a journal to class, and wear comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that provides a full range of movement.
Instructor: Darrin Person
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Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:15 PM
Tuition: $100
Register -
Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:45 PM
Session includes 7 classes: June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24 & 26
Tuition: $85
Register -
Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:45 PM
Session includes 8 classes: July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31
Tuition: $85
Say it with Shakespeare (Ages 13+)
This class will concentrate on the performance and physical interpretation of Shakespeare’s characters. The analysis and examination of Shakespeare’s literary techniques will provide a guide for bringing his characters to life.
Materials and suggested attire: Please bring a journal to class, and wear comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that provides a full range of movement.
Instructor: Darrin Person
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Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-4:15 PM
Tuition: $100
Register -
Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30-8:45 PM
Session Includes 7 classes: June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24 & 26
Tuition: $85
Register -
Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30-8:45 PM
Session includes 8 classes: July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31
Tuition: $85
Mini Acting (Ages 4-6)
In this introduction to acting class, little ones will learn the basics of acting through creative play. Students will have fun while channeling their creative energy, learning manners and presentation skills, becoming more independent, and building social skills.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that allows for a full range of movement. For footwear, socks or dance shoes are acceptable.
Instructor: Kathy Norman
Acting Boot Camp (Ages 7-13)
Has your child ever dreamed of pursuing an acting career? Acting Boot Camp introduces student artists to the basics of acting with an inspiring boot camp attitude. This fast-paced class will offer inside information on acting techniques and performance skills designed to jumpstart a career on the stage or screen.
Suggested attire: Comfortable, stretchy, or athletic clothing that allows for a full range of movement.
Instructor: Kathy Norman
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Class Times: Saturdays from 10-10:45 AM
Tuition: $60
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Choose one of two class times
Class Times: Tuesdays from 6-6:45 PM OR Saturdays from 11-11:45 AM
Tuesday session includes 4 classes: June 4, 11, 18 & 25
Saturday session includes 4 classes: June 8, 15, 22 & 29
Tuition: $30
Register -
Choose one of two class times
Class Times: Tuesdays from 6-6:45 PM OR Saturdays from 11-11:45 AM
Tuesday session includes 4 classes: July 9, 16, 23 & 30
Saturday session includes 4 classes: July 6, 13, 20 & 27
Tuition: $30
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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. -
Sarah Walston Phillips
DANCE FACULTY
Sarah Walston Phillips is a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She is the founder and artistic director of ATLAS Modern Ballet, a professional dance company serving the Tampa Bay community. Phillips graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance from the University of South Florida. At USF, she had the privilege of working with choreographers such as Alonzo King, Maurice Causey, Robert Moses, and Jennifer Archibald among other guests and faculty members.
After graduating from USF, she spent five seasons as a company member at Florida Dance Theatre, followed by two seasons at Tampa City Ballet as a performer, guest choreographer, and company class instructor. Her choreography has been presented in multiple festivals across the United States and internationally. She has choreographed for Florida Southern College and Hillsborough Community College's dance departments, where she is Adjunct Dance Faculty. Sarah graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jacksonville University with a Master of Fine Arts in choreography.
