Film, Music & Performing Arts   

A hands-on filmmaking workshop for actors, writers and directors to bring stories to the screen. Students get the opportunity to share their work as part of a Student Film showcase in the spring. This quarter students are introduced to film production with guest filmmaker Mark Schwartz and Dr. Lara Starcevich. Students learn about storytelling, technical skills, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking, often through hands-on projects and lab experiences.

Learning Outcomes:

Fundamental outcomes of the course include: taking an initial idea through all of the stages of development--pre-production, production, and post-production.

Say “Yes, and…” to fun, creativity, and confidence!

Think you can’t do improv? Guess what—you already do it every day! Life itself is one big improv scene. This upbeat class uses games and exercises to help you think on your feet, listen actively, and collaborate joyfully—all while having a great time. Open to adults and youth ages 16+. 

No experience needed—just bring an open mind, a sense of humor, and a willingness to play. You’ll learn how to:

• Think and perform spontaneously
• Problem-solve creatively
• Work and communicate effectively in a team
• Boost emotional intelligence
• Build confidence both onstage and off.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your communication skills or just laugh and let loose, this class is for you!

Nurture the body and mind with belly dance. This ancient art form is a full body low impact dance that can help with balance, posture, flexibility and muscle coordination. It provides stress relief, as well as energies the body and mind. Use and care for your body with something fun. All levels of experience welcome! 

By the end of this course, students will be equipped with muscle isolation techniques, basic and beyond basic moves, warm up exercises, and footwork patterns. They will be able to put together dance combinations and have a basic understanding of belly dance music.

This class explores various guitar techniques through the medium of ensemble playing. Students grow their guitar and musicianship skills while playing music together from a variety of genres (everything from Baroque to The Beatles!)

Prerequisites: Students must be able to read music and have prior guitar experience.  If you are unsure if this course is for you, feel free to reach out to the instructor at jbrown@pencol.edu.

Required: Students must have a classical or acoustic guitar.

Build on your belly dance foundation with new combinations, rhythms, and cultural context.

Explore music, props, and regional styles through movement, light choreography, and discussion.

All are welcome - some belly dance experience is helpful, but not required.

Adults 18+ only.