Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Cole.
Ben, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Now in its 37th season, North Coast Repertory Theatre has grown from a community theatre to a nationally recognized professional regional theatre. The Theatre School @NorthCoastRep has grown along with it. From a single children’s play put on during the first season, the Theatre School now stages five productions annually and reaches nearly 2000 students per year. The Theatre School provides classes, workshops, and summer camps, operating throughout the year in North County San Diego.
The Theatre School offers quality arts instruction and training to local students ages 4-19. Theatre School Director, Ben Cole, strives to make that training as accessible and inspiring to students as possible through full and partial scholarships to economically challenged students. The Theatre School teaches skills that promote a lifelong passion for the arts whether students seek to pursue a career in theatre or simply to apply the confidence and creative self-expression they have gained to excel in any profession.
Has it been a smooth road?
Despite excitement and support for the Theatre School @ North Coast Rep being better than ever, we are continually challenged in bringing awareness of our program and drawing in new students.
With increasing marketing costs and decreasing funding for arts and education programs, we find it difficult to promote all that we have to offer to the community.
While continuing to offer small class sizes for better student/teacher ratio and individual focus, many of our loyal students are aging out of our programs. Every year we strive to inspire new students to join us, but word of mouth recommendations and our limited marketing only go so far.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Mission Statement:
The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep encourages young people to explore the adventures of live performance so they can further understand and appreciate it as an art form. With this foundation, we are dedicated to educating future theatre professionals in the highest standards of the most essential elements of theatre, and inspiring students to become lifelong theatre supporters. Our Theatre School offers students the skills and confidence they need to excel in any profession.
Vision Statement:
Our vision is to offer classes, productions, workshops, and training designed to educate students, and enrich their appreciation of diverse cultural and theatrical experiences. We strive to challenge students to go beyond basic training and take ownership of choices and personal development. We strongly support student’s freedom of expression and inspire exploration of creative release.
Values:
-Small class sizes for more direct student/instructor focus
-Exploration of more advanced training
-Consideration for student requested programs
-A collaboration of students and instructors to share stories with the audience
-Learning-centered education
-Fun and inspiring skill development
-Providing accessible programs that are available and affordable to diverse populations
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Theatre and artistic expression are essential to a productive society, and our city is exceptional in its support of the arts. I would encourage any new families or businesses considering a move here to join us in the fun!
Contact Info:
- Address: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite D Solana Beach, CA 92075
- Website: https://northcoastreptheatreschool.org/
- Phone: Box Office: 858-481-1055
- Email: Ben@northcoastrep.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theatreschoolncr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Theatre-School-NorthCoastRep-131929930184020/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncrschool?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/north-coast-repertory-theatre-solana-beach
Image Credit:
Melanie Chen Cole, Erin Evangeline, Karina Hull, Aaron Rumley
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