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Doesn’t everybody seem to have a little drama in their life?

Right about now, we all seem to be sharing the dictionary definition of drama as performed in “a serious play” or better yet, “a real life event or situation that is particularly exciting or emotionally involving,” thanks to the many issues facing us.

What if we had the opportunity to put some exciting positive drama in our life? I think now may be the perfect time; the quiet September; the chance to re-energize before season; the opportunity for each of us to do something for “me” and the time to experience drama in a lighthearted setting.

The Art League, Marco Island’s Center for the Arts, has just the thing. The Center is open year round, including September, and the perfect “Creative Dramatic” opportunities await you.

The Center for the Arts initially implemented Creative Dramatics programs in 2006 for children. We were able to expand the program in 2007 to reach adults; and as I mentioned once before, we do keep the classes age appropriate!

As parents, we tend to urge our children to experience new ventures, as adults some of us may get a bit set in our ways and think, “oh, I can’t do that” or “that’s just not me.” The news is that there is no need to be intimidated since the drama programs offered at the Center for the Arts are open to all levels and designed to allow you to have fun and to help you develop your hidden creativity.

We have all been in a position where we wish we could have expressed ourselves clearer, or provided a more powerful response to an issue, or just dreamt what it would be like to stand up and act the part. Well, there are no more excuses for us; friends, it’s time for us to experience new adventures!

There is no memorizing of lines, there is no stage performance, there is fun, and there are theatre games that stimulate the imagination through sound and gesture, speech and movement. There is little time commitment involved for this exciting and unusual workshop giving participants of all levels a tremendous boost in self-confidence! Now, can’t we all use a bit of that?

The Center for the Arts, as an educational facility, realizes that there are also those out there who have some theatre experience, or aspire to have. Offered for those in this position is a Monologue/Scene study course. This program will allow you to dive in, focus and develop a character and the actor’s understanding of the character’s role in relation to the content of the monologue/scene. This class can also be very useful for audition preparation.

Whether you’re an adult wanting to stretch your imagination further or a parent who wants to offer their child the opportunity to build self-esteem, these programs will benefit so many aspects of life.

Making the programs even more exciting is the caliber of the instructor, Irene Horowitz. Irene is currently the director of Educational Outreach for the Gulfshore Playhouse Art Smart Theatre Education Project.

She has been teaching acting and directing for many years. During her years in Charlotte, North Carolina, Irene wrote theatre curriculum and created the Piedmont Performing Arts Company that became renown throughout the region. During her years back in New York City she founded the David A. Boody Performing Arts Company and began extensive outreach partnerships with esteemed arts organizations including Lincoln Center Theatre, City Center Theatre, Joseph Papp Shakespeare Festival, and The Manhattan Theatre Club to name a few. She was a mentor for City Center’s Professional Artist. She is also listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, received the Performing Arts Educator of the Year Award and the list goes on.

So don’t let the drama of life get you down, take control and participate in drama of your choosing. Creative Dramatics youth programs will kick off on Sept. 2; adult programs will kick off Sept. 16.

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Christine Neal is the executive director of Marco Island’s Center of the Arts. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in the Liberal Arts with emphasis in the Fine Arts and various certifications and designations in business and the arts. An award winning artist, with 20-plus years in management and sales. Marco Island’s Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive 239-394-4221 mail@marcoislandart.com.