Acting Classes
Mission Statement
To provide young people with high quality, innovative, participatory theatre arts education and training, taught by theatre professionals and teaching artists; to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; and to help our students develop skills and broaden their horizons, as people and as artists.
Workshops
Registrations are now being accepted! Hurry to secure your spot!
This season, Kelrik will hold after-school workshops throughout the year! There are many classes for actors of all ages and abilities! Study with a group of professionals, share feelings and responsibilities, make new friends, gain self-confidence, develop independent thinking and explore the power of theatre and their own imaginations, from the inside out. Discover your own artistic voice, expand communication and imagination skills, and feel good about yourself and your work. These workshops focus on theater as a total activity and will conclude with a fun performance for family and friends!
No matter where you perform, no matter what roles you play in life or on the stage, no matter how you see yourself, Kelrik’s Workshop will help you excel in classroom participation, one-on-one personal conversations, and every play in which you ever perform, from school to a Broadway stage.
All classes are held at Unity, 1490 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. (805) 543-PLAY.
Kids' Acting Classes | Meet Our Instructors
Kids Acting Classes
All classes and camps are open for registration!
[Download kids class registration form.]
MUSICAL THEATER
Grades 3-9
Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:30 PM
April 10 – May 15
Tuition: $150
Instructor: Tabatha Skanes [bio]
Musical theatre performances are made powerful due to the acting skills employed while singing. This class explores how to approach a song from an actor's point of view and fuse the music with the words. The student will also discover what musical material suits them best. Final class is open to friends and family. Out of class work expected.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. - SUMMER CAMP/PERFORMANCE CLASS 
Grades 1-12
Monday-Friday 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
June 17-28
Tuition: $475 (scholarships available)
Let’s put on a show!
The curtain is going up...on a summer filled with the excitement and magic of theater! Kelrik offers total theater immersion plus all of the fun of a great summer camp. At Kelrik Productions, performers of all levels -- beginner and advanced -- find expression and fulfillment on stage and in the classroom. Our program is for young performers ages 7-18.
Kelrik will meet for ten consecutive days during summer break to rehearse and perform the musical Beauty and the Beast Jr . Students will work as an ensemble to bring great characters and stories to life, and will gain experience in learning lines, blocking, and working in front of an audience. Learning from Directors, Choreographers, and Vocal Coaches who have been selected because of their years of experience motivating and guiding young performers.
Get ready for the most fantastic summer of your life!!!!
*An audition is required for casting in the production. Everyone registered is cast in a show. (Early drop off available upon request.)
Notes: All students should bring a mid-morning snack. Supervised lunch break is from 12:00 - 12:30 PM daily. Students should plan to bring a sack lunch. Refrigeration is available. Please leave all valuables at home. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. No flip-flops please!
Meet Our Instructors
Erik Austin
Erik began his diverse career at the young age of five, dressing up family member and putting on "basement shows" for his neighbors. A native of Indiana, Erik and his family moved to San Luis Obispo, CA where he and his sister, Kelley formed their own theater company, Kelrik Productions, at the age of 13. After graduating in Musical Theater at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Erik and his company took the plunge to the big city of Los Angeles in 1997 with the simple purpose of providing quality theater and youth workshops. Some 15 years from its beginnings, Kelrik is still continuing its efforts. Under Erik’s artistic direction, the company has received numerous awards including a very special award from the Senate of California for excellent children’s services. Kelrik was also voted "Best Children’s Theater" in Los Angeles in 2000, by LA Parent Magazine. When not producing shows, Erik is busy teaching workshops throughout the state of California and at Montessori children’s schools, inviting students into an exiting and nurturing environment in which they may explore the power of theater and their own imaginations. As a performer, Erik’s Off-Broadway credits include I Love A Piano and Waiting for Godot, where he played the role of Lucky. Other favorite roles in theater include The Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, the Cat in the Hat in Seussical: The Musical, Linus in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, the title role in Aladdin, Frank N’Furter in Rocky Horror Live and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.
Kerry Mayling
Kerry has been an actor and singer for 20 years. She began her love of singing as the lead vocalist in three bands in San Luis Obispo County, while going to college to study interior design. Kerry has been an actor at PCPA Theatrefest, Kelrik Productions, SLOLT, Chameleon Productions, Cuesta College, Pioneer Players and The Brickyard Theatre Company. Kerry received her actor training at Cuesta College and PCPA and says the training was so invaluable, she decided she wanted to share her knowledge of the craft by becoming an instructor, as well as an actor. She currently teaches acting classes and workshops to children and adults at Kelrik, and in Paso Robles and Cambria. She has also been a director, assistant director, dialect coach, private audition coach and acting coach. Kerry is originally from England and has lived on the Central Coast for 22 years. She currently lives in Paso Robles with her husband Vince and her dog, Sondheim!
Tabatha S. Skanes
Tabby, newly returned from New York, is thrilled to be continuing two of her many passions -- acting and teaching theatre -- with Kelrik Productions. This PCPA grad has been seen on and off stage and screen, including: directing Broadway's award-winning musical The Secret Garden with the Pioneer Players, touring the USA and Canada as Amy March with Windwood Theatricals 2008 national tour of Little Women: The Musical, portraying the leading role of Kathleen, in a Dawn Treader independent film So Love Returns, along with much, much more. In her last performance in California, she played the savvy pre-teen boy Dodger in Pioneer Players' Oliver! She is thrilled to be back in California and back with Kelrik Productions.
Lester Wilson
Lester received his B.A. in Theatre Arts at Cal Poly State University and has been seen in many productions all over the Central Coast. He was worked as an independent contractor for The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, where he was a Technical Director building sets, props and assisting in lighting design. He’s worked with SLOLT, Sorcerer Productions, and Kelrik Productions assisting in either scenic or property design for numerous shows. A member of Cal Poly’s Improv Team "Smile and Nod," working with such improv groups as The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and others at Comedy Olympia. He enjoys acting, singing, some dance and a lot of laughter. Some of his favorite roles include Mr. Cladwell in Urinetown: The Musical, Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, The Genie in Aladdin, and recently was the puppeteer and voice for Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q. Teaching is also one of his passions. He’s worked for ACT at SLO Little Theater and with Kelrik Productions, with a main focus on improv, movement for the actor, and children’s theatre. Lester enjoys all aspects of theatre, particularly children’s theatre because children remind him of the power of theatre and that it is possible to let go and truly believe in the world of the story as it’s told. He loves helping students develop and hone their skills while broadening their horizons as people and artists. The world is a stage; enjoy it!
Lacey McNamara
Lacey has been playing piano for over 22 years and has been teaching private piano lessons for the past 11 years. A 4th-generation McNamara in San Luis Obispo county, she has studied and performed with local talents such as Judy Harris, Debbie Lagomarssino, John Laird, Chad Stephens, Danielle Dutro, and Stephen Tosh. She has also been the Rehearsal Pianist, Kid's Drama Camp Music Coordinator, and Musical Director for several community theatre companies from Paso Robles to Arroyo Grande. Lacey has also had the pleasure of being the choir accompanist for the Paso Robles School District, the current accompanist for all voice classes at the San Luis Obispo Adult School, and current choir accompanist for Atascadero Junior High School. Her playing skills earned her scholarships at Fresno State University, where she studied under the instruction of Dr. Andres Werz, and California Polytechnic State University where she studied with vocal instructor, Katherine Arthur. She has been honored to be the Resident Music Director for the BEYOND 2012 and INSPIRE 2013 seasons with Kelrik Productions and strives to teach community actors about music performance with maintaining the level of excellence that is associated with Kelrik Productions' shows.
Safety: At Kelrik we value the safety of our students and it is important that safety in the theatre be implicated at all times. All students, children and adults, should wear comfortable clothing they can move in and comfortable shoes. No flip-flops or jewelry please.
ALL CLASSES: There will be a presentation of monologues and scenes for family and friends on the final day of class.
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration fee must be paid at the time of registration. Tuition must be paid in full two weeks prior to the first class. No refunds.
All classes are based on a 10 student participation. If a class does not fill, we reserve the right to cancel the class.
All classes are held at Unity of San Luis Obispo, 1490 Southwood Drive, SLO 93401, (805) 543-PLAY.
