Published: August 17, 2006 11:19 pm            

Upward Arts Academy

Theater troupe provides training, creative outlet

Ashland — A competitive actor, Terry Salyer said, possesses the “triple threat.” That is, the ability not only to act but to sing and dance as well. An actor who masters the “triple threat” is more likely to get the part he or she is vying for.

To expose children to all aspects of this craft, Salyer, along with Holly Harkins, have created a new theater troupe called the Upward Arts Academy.

Salyer will direct the musical aspects and Harkins will direct the theatrical aspects of the nonprofit organization, which was established this summer.

“After Holly directed ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Rose Hill Academy, she had tons of parents come to her and say, ‘Oh my gosh, we want you to teach our kids theater,’” Salyer said.

“She came to me and I said, ‘What we need to do is create a theater program.’ So, I started really praying about it and asking the Lord what he wanted me to do.”

Salyer said Harkins’ success with “Beauty and the Beast” and his own success with three sold-out “1776” shows he directed at Park Place over the summer, proved that there was a huge interest in a good arts program for children.

“My church, the First Baptist Church of Ashland, decided to let us have the under-utilized space in the Christian Life Center where they sponsor the Upward Basketball League.”

The organization will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Christian Life Center, 1638 Winchester Ave. This will be followed by a benefit concert to raise funds for the academy.

“We spend a lot of time on academics and athletics,” Salyer said. “And a lot of times, the inner part, the ‘creative being,’ so to speak, is overlooked.

“There’s a tremendous number of kids who are never able to tap into that resource. This academy will help get the creative juices flowing,” Salyer continued. “It will give kids a chance to look inside themselves and express themselves in a way they never had before to further develop their talents.

“We have a lot of talent in this area and until now there has not been a constant source of guidance to help develop potential careers in the arts.”

Upward Arts Academy’s motto is “Professional Artistic Training with a Christian Perspective.” The training is not only for children, but adults as well.

There will be two age groups: 6 to 12; and 13 to adult. Student sessions, which begin Sept. 4, are a 12-week commitment with two, 11/2 -hour classes per week.

Tuition, $150 per student and $100 for a second child, includes a choice of drama, music and theatrical dance for the younger age group. The older age group can choose from drama, music, theatrical dance and praise and worship.

Salyer has 35 years of amateur and professional experience as a singer, producer and artistic director.

He has performed in more than 1,000 productions and serves on Huntington’s Fifth Avenue Players’ board of directors. He is a producer, director and performer for the Renaissance Players and Maxxum Productions.

The idea for Upward Arts was one led by faith, Salyer said.

“Before each session we will have a “Shot in the Arm,” which will be a short time of devotions,” Salyer explained.

“We aren’t going to be doing only Christian-related things, but everything we do will have a Christian perspective.”

Production, marketing and technical aspects of theater will also be extensively explored.

“Students will do it all themselves,” Salyer said. “We want them to get as much experience as possible under their belts. This benefits them educationally and gives them the ability to compete and perform at a professional level.”

Although registration has just begun for the Upward Arts Academy, Salyer said he and Harkins already have plans to establish a traveling troupe in the future. The academy’s venue will also host other theater companies.

“This is for the kids — bottom line,” Salyer said. “We are doing this because we have a love for the arts and want to provide opportunities to the kids to develop this love as well.”

Salyer said space is limited because he and Harkins want to keep each class at 10 to 15 students. This will give students the opportunity to get more hands-on experience as well as one-on-one time with instructors.

To register, call (606) 324-3107, (606) 232-6979 or (606) 547-5951. or e-mail Salyer at maxxumtvs@netzero.net.

SARAH LYNCH can be reached at slynch@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2650.

        

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