Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance
Class Descriptions

Show classes for:
Creative Drama

Gives children the opportunity to explore their creativity in a supportive, noncompetitive and age-appropriate setting. Through improv, theatre games, pantomime and storytelling, children are encouraged to express who they are while developing self-confidence, social and motor skills through an enriching class experience with their peers.

Intro to Children's Theatre - 1st grade +

An introduction to our Children's Theatre, our mini musical theatre class incorporates theatre games, singing, dancing, and acting. Students will learn excerpts from popular children's musicals. An open class performance will be at the end of each semester in the theatre.

Children's Theatre Grades 3 & 4

Be part of Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Theatre experience. Learn the basics including improv, theatre games, basic scene study, storytelling, singing & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Auditions for the Spring Children's musical or play will be held in November. You MUST be registered for the Fall session to be cast in the Spring shows.

Children's Theatre Grades 5-7

Be part of Roosevelt Island's unique Children's Theatre experience. Learn the basics including improv, theatre games, basic scene study, storytelling, singing & performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. Auditions for the Spring Children's musical or play will be held in November. You MUST be registered for the Fall session to be cast in the Spring musical.

Senior Teen Fall Production Theatre - Grades 10-12

Teen Theatre Fall Production. Auditions held in September and production in January/February. Students may be called up to two days a week for rehearsal with Wednesday being the main rehearsal day. Registration & Auditions for Spring Production will be held in December. 

Adult Production Workshop

Students rehearse every Saturday for the production the end of February/beginning of March. Students must be ready, willing, and able to sing, act, and dance! Auditions are held in September. After auditions, those cast will be required to pay the $100 class fee to accept their role.

Little Movers 18 mos+

Little movers and shakers will enjoy dancing movement, music rhythm, games and stories in this fun class. Basic locomotor movement and age-appropriate developmental skills and concepts are all incorporated in this lively program. Drop off optional class for ages 18 months and up. Let's dance!

Pre-Ballet - Ages 3+

Children learn basic dance vocabulary and technique through ballet, modern and creative dance.

Pre-Ballet - Ages 4+

Children learn basic dance vocabulary and technique through ballet, modern and creative dance.

Advanced Ballet/Ballet IV - Placement

This class is for more advanced students who already have the dance vocabulary and background to work at this level. There will be an open class at the end of the Fall session for invited guests and parents. Students will also be invited to participate in the annual MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.

 

 

Hip-Hop Ages 5+

Hip Hop & Athletic Dance is a fun and exciting way for your little one to begin learning basic Hip-Hop movements and other high energy dance styles. This class will focus on rhythm recognition and movements developmentally appropriate for our budding Hip-Hop enthusiasts.

Advanced Hip-Hop - Placement

A more advanced class for students age 10+ with at least 2 years of hip hop experience. Class focuses on intermediate/advanced technique and choreography. Students may be asked to perform in local events.

Jazz ages 6+

Students will learn basic Jazz technique, terms and steps. Students will develop strength, body alignment, flexibility, gracefulness and musicality while having a great time with their friends! There will be an open class at the end of the session for invited guests. Students will be invited to participate in the MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.

 

Jazz ages 9+

Students will learn beginning and intermediate Jazz technique, terms and steps. Students will develop strength, body alignment, flexibility, gracefulness and musicality while having a great time with their friends! There will be an open class at the end of the session for invited guests. Students will be invited to participate in the MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.

Tap Ages 4+

Students will learn basic tap steps in a low pressure high energy environment. There will be an open class at the end of the Fall session for parents to attend. Students will also be invited to participate in the annual MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.

 

Ballroom Social Dance

Latin styles and more! Students of all levels welcome. No partner necessary. Fun for all!

Pilates

A combination of Pilates, yoga, Alexander technique and core body movements. Designed to correct body alignment.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced, meditative style of yoga focused on holding passive postures for extended periods—typically 3 to 5 minutes or longer. This class is appropriate for all levels.

Pre-Steps: Ballet/Tap

A class combining ballet, tap and jazz for our youngest dancers. All three styles are the foundation for dance and musical theatre. It is a great class to introduce your dancer to all styles of dance foundation. 

Capoeira Ages 2-4

Capoeira is a Brazilian dance of African origin incorporating martial arts movements, acrobatics and music. Instilling discipline and creativity, capoeira helps kids grow with confidence, discipline and a positive attitude to life. 

Private Lesson

One on one lesson weekly. Must be booked in advance and can be music, drama or dance. 

Ballet I Ages 5+

A beginner ballet class for ages 5 & 6 introducing students to technique, vocabulary and proper class format. 

Music Together ® Mixed-Age

This is the essential Music Together® class, one that a child can attend from birth through age five - and through all nine song collections. Child development researchers recommend mixed-age groupings because they foster natural, family-style learning. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones, older children learn by leading younger ones and adults are happy because the children in the family can go to class together. Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, and exploring musical instruments. The class provides a variety of adult-child activities that are fun and offer new ways to play musically at home. Parents, grandparents, or nanny accompany the children individually or together.​​​
The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience.

Hip Hop Ages 7+

Open level summer hip hop class working on hip hop and breaking technique. 

Pre-Ballet - Ages 2+

An introduction of ballet to those ready to separate for class. Focus is on coordination, following directions, basic technique and language. This is a drop off class only. 

Ballet III - Placement

Students will learn advanced-beginning classical ballet technique, terms and steps. Students will do barre and center work that develops strength, body alignment, flexibility, gracefulness and musicality. There will be an open class at the end of the session for invited guests. Students will be invited to participate in the MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.

Capoeira Ages 5+

A fun, basics class giving students the opportunity to learn the foundations of Afro-Brazilian martial art, Capoeira, and hand drumming on a djembe. Traditional rhythms are taught in this culture rich art form. 

Tap - Ages 9+ - Placement

Advanced beginner level tap teaching foundations for those with prior tap training.

Ballet II Ages 7+

For students who have taken Ballet I for at least one year and are 7 years of age or older. This class is a transition into our older Ballet II program for ages 9+. Students will begin to develop an intermediate level. 

MSTDA Junior Company Dance I - Audition Required

A class combining multiple techniques to develop strong dance technique and foundations. This class is choreography, competition and audition prep based. The focus is teaching students how to learn choreography quickly and improve their dance technique in multiple styles. Students must audition if not already placed in the program

MSTDA Junior Company Dance II - Audition Required

A class combining multiple techniques to develop strong dance technique and foundations. This class is choreography, competition and audition prep based. The focus is teaching students how to learn choreography quickly and improve their dance technique in multiple styles. Students must audition if not already placed in the program

MSTDA Senior Company Dance Class - Audition Only

A class combining multiple techniques to develop strong dance technique and foundations. This class is choreography, competition and audition prep based. The focus is teaching students how to learn choreography quickly and improve their dance technique in multiple styles. Students must audition if not already in the Musical Theatre Dance Audition class.

Adult Jazz Workshop

Perfect for adults who love musical theatre dance and want to learn choreography from some of their favorite shows. Open to all levels, this class is a fun way to dance the night away to your favorite show tunes! Class includes a warm up, stretch and choreography.

Junior Teen Theatre - Grades 8 & 9

Students perform in a production in March that starts rehearsing in September. With a focus on education and performance, students work on all aspects of a production (acting, singing, choreography, memorization and more) with a team of staff members including a Director, Music Director, Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Choreographer, Costume Designer, Set & Props. Tuesday rehearsals could be any or all of the 6:30-8:30pm time frame each week with an added rehearsal day in the winter. The week of tech rehearsals and performances are mandatory for all students. Auditions take place in September.

LAMDA - INTRODUCTORY LEVEL Ages 5-7

Aimed at 5 – 7 year olds – students will have fun learning lots of new skills, such as speaking confidently in front of others and developing the ability to hold a conversation regarding one of their favorite books, toys or pictures.

LAMDA - LEVEL 1 Ages 8-10

Level 1 – Students learn their first monologues – Entry only need to learn one piece. One monologue is taken from LAMDA’s anthology and is considered age appropriate, the other is a free choice. Technically students learn about Characterization, Setting, Feelings and Empathy.

LAMDA - LEVEL 2 Ages 11-13

The pieces learned progress in their difficulty and the technical knowledge is stretched as students are expected to know the working areas of the stage and the technical elements required when working with professional directors and technicians in the theatre.

LAMDA - LEVEL 3 Ages 13+

Learners now move into a more professional approach and begin to look at the history of theatre as well as develop their confidence with both classical and contemporary theatre as well as develop skills in both comedic and serious theatre. Knowledge becomes more in-depth examining the various theatre practitioners, playwrights and technical workings of the voice. This is the perfect introduction to Drama Schools and Colleges for those wishing to take their studies that step further.The

Adult Tap Workshop

Open to all levels, learn the basics of tap in a fun environment. Students will learn choreography as well in this 6 week workshop.

 

MSTDA Junior Company Dance III - Audition required

MSTDA level three of company dance. Students must audition to be part of company dance. 

Tap ages 6+

Students will learn basic tap steps in a low pressure high energy environment. There will be an open class at the end of the Fall session for parents to attend. Students will also be invited to participate in the annual MST&DA Dance Concert in the Spring.