ArtSpark

2021 June ArtSpark Sessions are now completed.

See you next year!

GRADES:  K-2 (all grades refer to the 2021-2022 school year)

• June 2022 dates TBD

GRADES:  3-5 (all grades refer to the 2021-2022 school year)

• June 2022 dates TBD

Registration Deadline: Friday, May 13 for ArtSpark June sessions.

NOTE: Registration remains open after this deadline. However, a $25 late fee will be assessed.

Sign up with a friend!  We look forward to seeing you there!

2021 July ArtSpark Sessions are now completed.

See you next year!

GRADES: K-2 (all grades refer to 2021-2022 school year)

• July 2022 dates TBD

GRADES: 3-5 (all grades refer to 2021-2022 school year)

• July 2022 dates TBD

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 17 for ArtSpark July sessions.

NOTE: Registration remains open after this deadline. However, a $25 late fee will be assessed.

Sign up with a friend!  We look forward to seeing you there!

ARTSPARK FACULTY

ANGIE SCHULZ

Angie Schulz is an experienced Celebrant, singer, actor, and teacher living in Moorhead. Angie graduated from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, and MSUM with a Bachelor of Science in Vocal Music Education. Angie currently works at Wright Funeral Home as a Celebrant and Funeral Assistant. She also has a private voice studio and vocal directs for Moorhead High School and Trollwood. Angie is a voice actor and is represented by Hired Gums in Fargo. She is also a founding member of Wheelhouse Theatrical Productions.

Angie is married to Brian Schulz and has three daughters, Amie, Sarah, and Sophie, and a cat, Princess.

SHANARA LASSIG

Shanara is so excited to be back teaching ArtSpark at Trollwood this summer!  She has been fortunate to direct and teach theatre to all ages in the Fargo-Moorhead community, including ArtSpark, FMCT, Bare Stage, Harwood Prairie Playhouse, and area schools. Shanara is a Kindergarten teacher for West Fargo Schools and enjoys crafts, coloring, and dancing in the kitchen with her husband and four year old daughter.

DAWN GUNDERSON

Dawn is excited to ignite her ArtSparkers again this summer and witness the gifts of these young bright stars. Teaching at Trollwood brings Dawn great joy because she has been connected to Trollwood since it first began when she was a student and performer on Trollwood’s stage in north Fargo. During the school year, Dawn teaches English and theatre arts and directs the spring plays at Moorhead High School. Besides directing, choreographing, and costuming shows, Dawn loves performing; she can’t wait for the next opportunity to audition. Some of her favorite show credits include: Noises Off, Calendar Girls, Plaza Suite, Peter and the Star Catcher, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, A Christmas Story, Young Frankenstein, Chicago, and Cabaret. As always, Dawn is grateful for her supportive husband, Lee, whom she met in TPAS’s musical Pippin in 1982! Their best theatrical production are their daughters, Chloe and Lana, who spark much entertainment.

BAILEY HASELTINE KRUSEN

Bailey Krusen is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theater. Although she is an avid performer, she enjoys teaching and has trained students to become effective actors as well as musicians. Bailey has experience playing theatrical roles in over thirteen recent full productions in addition to almost 20 years of performance experience in music and theater. Most recently she can be found music directing and costuming the musicals and plays at Sheyenne High School or chasing around her two crazy, awesome kids, Betsy (3) and Ezra (3 months). She loves working with students, whether brand new to the stage or seasoned veterans, and helping them create with confidence and learn more about themselves in the process. She is a strong believer in learning by doing and finds that kids who participate in theater become stronger, more independent human beings. Bailey loves teaching because it gives kids the opportunity to create and be themselves as well as have fun. Theater is her way to give back to the universe and has made her the person she is today.

KYLE NESLER

Kyle Nesler is a music educator from the F-M area. He graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, with a Bachelor of Science in Music and a minor in Theatre, where he immersed himself in music and theatre studies. Since graduating in 2018, he has taught general music and choir for grades 4-6 at Kindred Elementary School and directs plays at Kindred High School. Once an actor on the Trollwood Mainstage, Kyle has experienced many other facets of theatre, including music direction, technical direction, stage management, and most recently production management with Trollwood’s 2019 production of Freaky Friday. Kyle will start his Master of Arts in Music this summer, while spending time with his wife, Laura, and almost-one-year-old son, Calvin.

AMY DALAGER

Amy Dalager is returning to ArtSpark for her fourth summer as a music instructor.  She completed her music education degree at the University of North Dakota and works as a K-12 music educator at Stephen-Argyle Central Schools in Northwestern Minnesota. She also directs the annual musical at SAC High School and participates in local community theater whenever she can.  She recently began a children’s theater program in her local elementary school.  Amy has long performance experience in her early life as an actress, violinist, and pianist, but these days her real passion is teaching.  While not teaching or performing, she enjoys working in her gardens or camping and traveling with her husband and their three (mostly grown) children.

GRACE PARKER

Grace Parker is an NYC-based actor/playwright/teacher. Recent playwriting work includes Why We Have Book Club (3 Days Prior, Quarterfinalist for Screencraft Stage Play Competition), Dear College, (Lionheart New Works Festival, Award for Playwriting), The Time Lizzie and Jason and Ryan and Heather Went to Ryan’s Lakehouse (Sproutworks), which she also starred in, Missed Connections, (Manhattan Repertory Theatre: Fall One Act Competition Winner), and Juliet and the Falcons (Northlight Educational Theatre). Her play Double Tap had a developmental reading at Atlantic Theatre Company in 2019 and was a semifinalist for the National Playwrights’ Conference and the Thomas Wolfe International Prize. As an actor, she has worked with Goodman Theatre, Timeline Theatre, Orchard Project, and Rave Festival, among others.  She holds a BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts where her favorite roles include Amy in Company, and Sister James in Doubt. She has taught theatre classes at Northlight Performing Arts Camp, Harand Performing Arts Camp, and Kids Orbit. Proud alum of NTI Theatermakers Ensemble 2016 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. NHSI Theatre Arts Cherub 2013. New Play Exchange: Grace Parker.

TONY PETERSON

Tony Peterson is returning for his second year at Trollwood with the ArtSpark program.  He has just completed his 10^th year of teaching and currently directs the Vocal Music program and Musical Theatre at Sheyenne High School in West Fargo.  Tony completed his Bachelors of Music and a Masters of Music in Music Education at North Dakota State University.  While not teaching, Tony spends his leisure time traveling, hanging out with his dog, Cuddy, and performing in the local live music and theatre community.

ARTSPARK (K-5)

ArtSpark introduces elementary students to the performing arts in three curricular areas: Vocal Music, Drama, and Dance.  The applicable standards and benchmarks for this program are listed below.  Not all standards and benchmarks will be addressed in each one week session, but a significant number of them will be represented.

MUSIC

Standard 1: Singing
Students sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

K-5.1.1. Sing independently on pitch and in rhythm.
K-5.1.2. Sing expressively.
K-5.1.3. Sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures.
K-5.1.4. Sing in parts.
K-5.1.5. Sing in groups.

Standard 2: Instrumental Performance
Students perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 3: Improvisation
Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

K-5.3.1. Students improvise simple melodies, rhythmic and melodic variations, and accompaniments.

Standard 4: Composition
Students compose and arrange music within specified guidelines.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 5: Reading Music
Students read and notate music.

K-5.5.1. Read simple rhythms in basic meters.
K-5.5.2. Know how to use a system to read simple pitch notation.
K-5.5.3. Know symbols and traditional terms.
K-5.5.4. Know how to use basic symbols to notate music.

Standard 6: Listening
Students listen to, analyze, and describe music.

K-5.6.1. Know simple music forms when presented aurally.
K-5.6.2. Know a variety of styles representing diverse cultures.
K-5.6.3. Know terminology to describe music.
K-5.6.4. Know the sounds of a variety of instruments and voices for various cultures.
K-5.6.5. Understand the relationship between music and movement.

Standard 7: Evaluating Music
Students evaluate music and music performances.

K-5.7.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.7.2. Understand how to use music terminology to express personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.

Standard 8: Music and Other Disciplines
Students understand the relationship between music, the other arts, and other disciplines.

K-5.8.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.8.2. Understand the interrelationship of music and other disciplines.

Standard 9: Music, History, and Culture
Students understand music in relation to history and culture.

K-5.9.1. Know music from various historical periods.
K-5.9.2. Know how elements of music are used in music examples from various cultures.
K-5.9.3. Know various uses of music in daily experiences.
K-5.9.4. Know characteristics that make certain music suitable for its use.
K-5.9.5. Understand the role of musicians in various music settings and cultures.
K-5.9.6. Know appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

DRAMA

Standard 1: Dramatic Literature
Students comprehend a wide variety of dramatic literature.

K-5.1.1. Know published and non-published fiction and nonfiction.
K-5.1.2. Understand scripting.
K-5.1.3. Understand the emotional reactions created by dramatic presentations.

Standard 2: Acting
Students will engage in fundamental acting skills.

K-5.2.1.Use a variety of movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.2. Understand the relationship between character and movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.3. Create and sustain a character.

Standard 3: Production
Students engage in fundamental production skills.

K-5.3.1. Know how visual elements and aural aspects are used to communicate.
K-5.3.2. Select materials to create technical elements of production.
K-5.3.3. Create marketing and publicity materials.

Standard 4: Cultural Context of Drama
Students will understand the cultural context of drama.

K-5.4.1. Recognize similarities and differences between theatre and one’s own life.
K-5.4.2. Use dramatization to understand culture.

Standard 5: Consumer of Theatre
Students will understand how to be knowledgeable consumers of theatre.

K-5.5.1. Know appropriate audience behaviors.
K-5.5.2. Know that people react to theatrical productions in different ways.

Standard 6: Drama and Human Development
Students understand the role of theatre in human development.

K-5.6.1. Use drama to develop creative thinking skills.
K-5.6.2. Use drama to develop critical thinking skills.
K-5.6.3. Use drama to develop social skills.

Standard 7: Drama and Other Disciplines
Students understand the connections between drama and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know connections between drama and other disciplines in the curriculum.
K-5.7.2. Know how to use drama to demonstrate knowledge of other disciplines.

DANCE

Standard 1: Movement Skills
Students demonstrate proficiency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

K-5.1.1. Use dance elements to expand movement experiences.
K-5.1.2. Know boundaries of dance space.
K-5.1.3. Understand characteristics of nonlocomotor/axial movements.
K-5.1.4. Understand the characteristics of locomotor movements in many directions and pathways.
K-5.1.5. Move to a rhythmic accompaniment and respond to changes in tempo.
K-5.1.6. Understand the characteristics of balance and proper alignment.
K-5.1.7. Understand how body parts and joints are used in movement.
K-5.1.8. Use kinesthetic awareness, concentration, and focus in performing movement skills.

Standard 2: Choreography
Students understand choreographic principles, processes, and structures.

K-5.2.1. Understand the characteristics of a movement sequence.
K-5.2.2. Understand how improvisation is used to discover and invent movement.
K-5.2.3. Understand the characteristics of a dance phrase that is repeated and/or varied.
K-5.2.4. Know how to use the characteristics of solo and group dance to create whole compositions.

Standard 3: Dance and Meaning
Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.

K-5.3.1. Communicate ideas using movement.
K-5.3.2. Know how dance is similar to and different from other forms of movement.

Standard 4: Dance and Thinking Skills
Students apply critical and creative thinking skills in dance.

K-5.4.1. Know that a variety of strategies can be used to solve movement problems.
K-5.4.2. Understand how various dance styles are similar to and different from one another.

Standard 5: Dance, History, and Culture
Students understand the historical development of dance and its relationship to various cultures.

K-5.5.1. Know the characteristics of multicultural dance forms.
K-5.5.2. Understand the role and purpose of dance in various cultures.
K-5.5.3. Know characteristics of the forms of theatre dance.
K-5.5.4. Know and apply proper audience etiquette.
K-5.5.5. Know dances unique to local geographic regions.

Standard 6: Dance and Personal Wellness
Students understand the connection between dance and personal wellness.

K-5.6.1. Know healthy practices that enhance the ability to dance.
K-5.6.2. Understand the importance of warming up and cooling down the body.

Standard 7: Dance and Other Disciplines
Students understand the difference between dance and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know how to use dance concepts to enhance understanding of other academic disciplines.