Salem theater introduces dance program

Staff report

SALEM

Salem Community Theatre, 490 E. State St., will have an open house Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. to showcase its performing-arts program.

New dance instructor Joanna Andrei will be present, and the upcoming schedule of dance classes will be unveiled.

Guests at the open house can tour the theater and its classroom areas, watch a demonstration of theatrical dance by former students, view a display by Youngstown Dance Supply, and attend a question-and-answer session with Andrei.

Pre-registration for the dance classes, which will begin in early April, can be done at the event.

A variety of dance classes with an emphasis on theater choreography and performance skills will be offered. Children between age 5 and 18 will be accepted for jazz, tap and ballet, and homeschool classes can be arranged.

There also will be adult classes, age 18 and up, for all skill levels, plus senior tap and ballet classes for age 60 and up at a discounted rate.

Andrei is well-known throughout the region as a dancer, actress, director, choreographer and instructor.

She most recently directed and choreographed “Nuncrackers” at SCT, and also served as choreographer for “The Producers,” and starred as Lola in last spring’s production of “Damn Yankees.”

She studied at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York, and is planning classes in ballet, jazz and tap, with an emphasis on the Broadway-style applications of dance.

For information about the dance program or the open house, go to salemcommunitytheatre.org or call 330-332-9688.

In addition to the dance program, the theater also offers youth acting classes taught by SCT veteran Niki Slaven, and piano and voice lessons taught by Neil Meloro.

Adult acting and directing classes also are being planned.