CREATIVE WRITINGThere is a Hopi proverb that says “Those who tell stories rule the world”. The intent of this class is to empower kids to realize their story and get their voices out so they can start that discovery process. Over the course of 10 weeks, we will explore the creative process as it relates to telling a story from idea to finished work. LEARN MORE... | DRAWING AND CARTOONING 1This weekly drawing and cartooning class will help you learn how to draw your favorite cartoon, comic book, and animated characters! If you have an idea for your own characters, you’ll learn how to bring your vision to life. In each class we’ll learn something new and grow as young artists and future animators!. LEARN MORE... |
DRAWING AND CARTOONING 2Ever wonder how the pros make their comic books and animation look so amazing? It's easier than you might think! In this class, we’ll take the spirit of Drawing Level 1 and dive into the various techniques that will help you level up your drawing skills and develop your craft.. LEARN MORE... | YOUTH THEATRE!Do you have a teen with a passion for theatre? We’re proud to announce the debut of Beacon Youth Theatre Ensemble, a new middle and high school theatre program unlike any other! In BYTE, students will harness their voices to create original devised work, as well as performing material from an exciting variety of modern and classic plays.. LEARN MORE... | YOUTH ENSEMBLE!Many Beacon parents will recall the various kids' musical ensembles that Compass Arts' founder Gina Samardge has assembled over the years. From performances at Randolph and Hudson Hills to more current Rompatom sets, the sight of kids behind a battery of xylophones and drums, ukuleles and recorders, singing their hearts out has come to be a defining Compass Arts experience. And now it is returning in the form of the Beacon Youth Chorus & Ensemble. |
RETURN TO THEATREFor many adults, a love of theatre is something that’s been left behind or pushed to the side over the years. But participating in theatre makes our lives richer in so many ways. Let Compass Arts welcome you back to the stage! Led by Hampton Fluker, an accomplished stage and screen actor who trained with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. LEARN MORE... | DUNGEONS AND DRAGONSDragons beware! Calling all Sorcerers, Wizards, Druids, and Bards! Or whatever your character may be! This D&D campaign is for young people interested in the popular fantasy role-playing game. Develop your character and participate in an epic adventure led by a Game Master, who will facilitate the session.. LEARN MORE... | TODDLER DANCEThis creative movement class provides a safe space for toddlers and preschoolers to express themselves and explore through movement with the support of their caregiver. Caregivers model and mirror to help create an atmosphere that balances learning with freedom and play. Kiddos learn about their bodies through movement songs and games, blending imagination and play with motor skill development and body awareness. LEARN MORE... |
THEATRE CRAFTERSFor older elementary and younger middle school students, Theatre Crafters is all about making theatre that speaks to us. We’ll build foundational skills in acting, playwriting, performance, and design (along with social skills), and we’ll have a great time doing it! LEARN MORE... | THEATRE EXPLORERSKids who love creating, imagining and performing will be introduced to the magical world of theatre in Theatre Explorers! For this age group, it’s all about trying new things and finding out what they love, along with building skills and gaining confidence around performing. LEARN MORE... | IMAGINATION PLAYHOUSEYoung children have vivid imaginations. They love to listen to stories, tell their own stories, act out stories, and play pretend & make-believe. Through the Imagination Playhouse classes, young storytellers will have the opportunity to do all of this. LEARN MORE... |
TACTILE EXPLORERSTactile Explorers is a sensory and arts-based class for children ages 18 months-3 years old. Sensory play is not only calming and soothing for children, but also strengthens nerve connections and supports healthy brain development. Through thoughtfully arranged "invitations to create," little ones will be empowered to make choices, explore ideas, and discover materials in a relaxed studio setting. LEARN MORE... | MUSICAL STEWRooted in music education approaches such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze, Musical Stew provides adults with songs, rhymes, and activities to help nurture their little one's musical development and allow the little ones to begin an integrative musical journey that lets music work its magic. LEARN MORE... | TREASURE BOXESIf you could create a treasure box, what would it look like? What kind of treasures would you put into it? During this class, we will construct a ceramic treasure box while learning hand building techniques and then fill them with handmade treasures. Each week, we will work with natural materials – different types of clay, string, etc – to create figurines, string crafts, beads and more to fill our boxes. LEARN MORE... |
Compass Arts Creativity Project classes, ensembles, events and camps are created for the Beacon and surrounding communities for the purpose of building those communities. Our vision is a big one. As a creativity project, we believe that communities are stronger when problem solving skills are encouraged at every age level and that the best way to build problem solving skills is through creativity. Through creative arts exploration students are given opportunities to think, and to think for themselves--to feel empowered by coming up with a story plot twist or an ending to a play or to discover the joy of being able to improvise over a musical accompaniment. We believe that our best work involves encouraging contribution, whether it is a colorful swipe of a brush, a melody or an idea. The essence of what we hope to do at Compass Arts is this, that those sometimes large and sometimes small contributions allow students to evolve into something the world desperately needs--individuals with vision.