CCAC Workshops

Workshops are a great introduction to a particular art form or medium and offer an introductory sample at a low or no cost option. CCAC schedules most of the workshops in the area libraries to make access to creative and quality art instruction available to citizens throughout Cattaraugus County. CCAC's art workshops are funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the County of Cattaraugus.

Theater Workshops

All workshops are in conjuction with the Twin Tiers Theater Festival 

 

Make-up

July 12 | 9:30-11:30 | Olean Middle School Music Suite

Register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

Instructor: Maurya Scanlon

Ages 10 -18

The Make-up master class will consist of basic stage makeup for looking "natural." New York City professional Maurya Scanlon will discuss different makeup for different sized stages and theaters in addition to the difference in makeup application for men and women (boys and girls). She will also discuss and demonstrate specialized makeup like "clown" makeup and how to age actors using makeup.

Light it Up

July 19 | 9:30- 11:30 | Washington Street Theater

Register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

Instructor: Brian Tovar

Ages 14-18

Did you ever wonder how they light the stage for a theatrical production? New York City lighting designer Brian Tovar will demonstrate this art form. This is am important element to theater, which often helps the actors tell a story and to set the mood. This workshop will give you a sneak peak of the intricate working of lighting a theatrical play.

Scenic Design 

July 21 | 9:30-11:30 | Olean Middle School Music Suite

Register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

Instructor: Rohit Kapoor

Ages 14-18

A professional production and set designer from New York City, Rohit Kapoor, is leading the Twin Tiers Theater Festival that is bringing Broadway performances to Olean. In his busy schedule, Rohit has agreed to lead a workshop on scene design. This important part of theater provides the audience with the overall tone for the play. He will discuss the basic principles of design and then allow participants to design their own mock set.

Learn to Act

July 10, 31, August 28 | 10am-12pm |Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

open to all ages | registration  is limited

Have you ever wanted to learn how to act or wanted some new acting techniques? Come learn from New York City professionals, who are here for the summer as part of the Twin Tiers Theater Festival. These actors have generously donated their time during a crazy summer to help teach individuals basic acting skills.

Discover Your Voice

July 17 | 10 am-12pm | Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

ages 14-18 | registration is limited

Instructor: MaryAnne Ferrari

This workshop is an introduction to solo performance for the young artist. New York City professional Marianne Ferrari will help students to awaken their own voice and inspire them to know that they have a one. Participants will be asked to write a small 5 min, one paged monologue and then perform it before the class. You can choose from this list for your monologue (An unforgettable event that happened in their life/ What it’s like to be me…/An unforgettable person in their life (fictional or non-fictional)/If I had magical powers…/If I could be anyone in the world, it would be…/I dream…/What I would scream on top of a mountain for all the world to hear.) Please bring two copies of monologue to class. 

Masks & Acting

July 24 | 10 am-12pm | Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

open to all | registration is limited

Instructor: Hannah Kaye

How do you display emotions or act when you are wearing a mask? New York City actress Hannah Kaye will demonstrate just that! Participants will create a mask and then learn how to use your body to act with the mask.

Scene Study

August 7| 10 am-12pm | Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

ages 16 and up| registration is limited

Instructor: Derek Milman

This workshop is a beginning scene study class, with an emphasis on the work of Sandy Meisner; who was an American actor and acting teacher who developed an acting methodology, now known as the Meisner Technique. The workshop will include improve- style warm up games as well as other acting techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring in scenes and or monologues and instructor Derek Milman will work with them, giving students the basics principles about the acting and the craft.

Scenic Design

August 21 | 10 am-12pm | Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

open to all | registration is limited

Instructor: Rohit Kapoor

A professional production and set designer from New York City, Rohit Kapoor, is leading the Twin Tiers Theater Festival that is bringing Broadway performances to Olean. In his busy schedule, Rohit has agreed to lead a workshop on scene design. This important part of theater provides the audience with the overall tone for the play. He will discuss the basic principles of design and then allow participants to design their own mock set.

Stage Combat

August 14 | 10 am-12pm | Washington Street Theater

register with CCAC | 716-372-7455

ages 16 and up | registration is limited

Instructor: James Brown

Stage combat has been widely used in film, television and theater and can be dated back to the medieval times. Students in this class will learn this specialized technique used in theater, which is designed to create the illusion of physical contact without causing any harm. 

 

Library Series

All workshops are free. Pre registration is required, please contact library to register


Poetry Class for Adolescents : “Where I'm From”

July 24 | 1-4pm | Randolph Free Library, Randolph 716-358-3712

July 31 | 9:30am- 12:30pm | Ellicottville Memorial Library, Ellicottville 716-699-2842

Instructor: Courtney Ingham

Ages 11-14

Courtney Ingham, a certified public school English teacher will introduce students to the art of poetry. Students will be guided by various prompts and examples to poetically explore what "home" means to them. Conducted in the spirit of fun, this class will inspire while building poetic skills in regards to vocabulary, imagery, metaphor, and more.

 

Allegany State Park Workshops

All classes will be held at Allegany State Park. Register for these workshops with Pati Andrews at Allegany State Park at354-9101 ext 221 or patricia.andrews@oprhp.state.ny.us. All workshops will take place at The Warming Hut which is located at the Summit Cabin Loop across from the Art Roscoe x-country ski trails.  From I-86 take exit 21 into the park and proceed to the top of the hill. The hut will be on your right across the parking lot.

 

Nature Journaling: Taking a Closer Look at What We See

July 15, 22, 29 | 10am-12pm

Instructor: Chelsea Allen

Ages 8-12
Journaling is a way to record and recreate an image or artifact from nature. Allegany State Park Intern, Chelsea Allen, will introduce children to art while taking inspiration from nature and the surrounding landscape. The children will be taught how to look at an object and how to draw what they see using a variety of different drawing techniques.

Printing from Nature

July 7, 14, 21 | 9:30am-11:30 am

Instructor: Joan Pingitore

Ages 6-14 and adults (adult supervision is required for younger children)
This fun workshop will give kids and adults a chance to create art from nature and have a beautiful creation to take home with them. Joan Pingitore, a local artist, will guide participants through creating an interesting composition and printmaking techniques. You will make your own piece of art while learning about the environment in the process- while having a great time!

Woodland Fairy House and Flower Friends

August 5, 12, 26 | 1-3pm

Instructor: Julie Mader

Ages 5-7 with an adult | ages 8 & up (and over – grown-ups love fairies too)

Fairies are the tiniest of creatures and to see them it takes a little faith and the right habitat.  Learn how to construct a Fairy House using twigs, bark, leaves, pine needles, pebbles and other gifts from nature; participants will create a wonderful habitat for the State Park Fairies who will love finding a cozy spot to relax.  We will also make little Flower Friends (fairy dolls) who will make the journey home with you from the park experience. 

Park it and Draw

July 12, 19, 26 | 9-11am

Instructor: Todd Plough

Ages 16 and up 

Ever wanted to be able to sit down and capture the feeling of a place in a sketch?  Why not join artist Todd Plough for a session to learn the techniques of the old masters and come away with a drawing you can be proud to show. The workshop will cover every aspect of drawing relative to making a successful plein air drawing as well as how to use the provided materials. The drawing will be done in both black and white charcoal on a rough surface newsprint paper.  The artists will learn about composition and how to achieve atmospheric effects along with how to emphasize their subject.  Your hands will get dirty but you'll walk away with a wealth of information that will enable you to work on your own the next time you find that special place.

Take Better Vacation Photos

August 2, 9, 18 | 9:30-11:30

Instructor: Michael Weishan

Ages 14 and up

This working shop will provide basic instruction in how to take better vacation photos stressing the natural setting of Allegany State Park.  A photographer himself, Michael Weishan will focus on key topics that will enhance your photography skills from camera basics to composition, wildlife photography and many more.

 

Also see our list of in-depth Community Art & Pottery Studio art classes.