It may be getting a bit frosty outside, but that's no reason not to hone your acting skills. "The winter months are sometimes the best times of the year to learn more about the art of music theatre," Jesse Cline, the Media Theatre's Artistic Director explained. "When you find you are staying inside a bit more you have the time to practice diction exercises, to work on songs you enjoy singing, and to practice your favorite monologues. For the youngest actors, it's a great time to rehearse proper communication skills."

All of those aspects of music theatre will come together when, beginning the weekend of January 10, The Media Theatre School begins its Winter session. Classes will return Saturday mornings at 9am for ages 5-11; Teens will meet Sundays at 5:30, with the Adult class following on Sundays at 7pm. All are $295.

New this year will be Jesse Cline's "Music Theatre Audition Technique" class which will be by audition only for teens and young adults. Samuel Heifetz, the resident Music Director, will assist Cline each week (Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-6pm beginning January 21.) Cline said, "The class is a comprehensive 8 session course with emphasis on the aspects of the audition process. It will encompass proper choice of material for auditions, focusing on two contrasting songs for each student which we will work on in class. We will discuss appropriate audition protocol and proper attire, as well as being in command of the process."

Teens and young adults who wish to audition for the "Music Theatre Audition Technique" course may call Cline at 610-891-0100. The tuition is $400.

Many of the students go on to appear in either children's shows at Media Theatre or mainstage Broadway productions. Alex Larsen, who has been a student at the Theatre School and Summer Camp for 7 years, is currently portraying the role of Bet in Cline's production of the musical "OLIVER!". "I love being onstage," said the 14 year old Alex. "Being in the classes has really taught me alot and having the opportunity to use my skills onstage in front of an audience is a great experience." She attends Springton Lake Middle School and has also been in several musicals at The Media Theatre, including "The Wizard of Oz", "Oklahoma!", and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".

To register for Theatre School, or to purchase tickets to "OLIVER!" (now through January 4), call 610-891-0100 or visit www.mediatheatre.org.