Leesburg, Virginia (MMD Newswire) May 18, 2009 -- Does your child have a flair for the dramatic? Most parents feel convinced of this at one time or another! Christine Heckman-Denning, Owner and Director of Kidz Act of Leesburg is making a career out of cultivating and nurturing a child's natural love of performing.

Kidz Act, opening this Summer, offers acting classes for children ages seven through thirteen. One of Christine's ultimate goals will be to have the children participate in plays and travel locally to perform. Kidz Act (kidzactleesburg.com) also specializes in children's tea parties. There are several themes to choose from including princess coronation, pop star and pirates. The parties also introduce etiquette as well as fostering imagination through dress up and the use of creative make up. Another unique offering is four weeks of summer Workshops which will be an introduction to Christine's style of teaching: acting through play & music, along with some acting crafts and possibly field trips. Kidz Act also offers private acting lessons for children.

Christine began performing at the age of 7 and cultivated her own unique vocal style. She continued performing and went on to Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY and earned a degree in Theater and Media Communications with a concentration in Voice. It was there that she was inspired by Broadway actor and Obie Award winner Ronald Weyand. One concept Christine credits to Mr. Weyand: always be a student. In 2006, after producing, directing and performing for 15 years, Christine founded Loudoun County's first regional opera company, Loudoun Lyric Opera. Additionally, she has been involved in Washington Area Theater for almost 10 years working as a director, producer, costumer and performer at The Alden Theater, Reston Players, Sterling Playmakers as well as being nominated for a Ruby Griffith Award for costuming. Her impressive resume goes on to include working with performing professionals, directors and design artists from Yale University, The Washington Opera & New York City Opera. In July of 2008 she participated in master's classes at the Puccini Opera Festival in Verona & Lucca Italy.

For Christine, the inspiration for her newest project came from a surprising place: career day at her children's elementary school. She participated and weeks later, she was touched when she received an envelope full of thank you letters from the children. It also reminded her how inspired she was by her own teachers as a child. With this in mind, Christine felt her experience as a performer, but most importantly as a mother, would be best put to use as a teacher of the dramatic arts.

While she does not perform as frequently now, Christine is putting her talents to good use by directing and producing. One of her main philosophies she aims to impart? "Every job that goes into the making of a theatrical production is important. From props, lighting, technical staff to being an actor." She also is constantly learning from her own children, whom she says have heightened her creativity, while continuing to learn from the children she teaches. Christine herself puts it best: "I have had many wonderful teachers, coaches and directors in my life & now it is time for me to return the favor, chance & dedication my teachers gave me by developing a business of teaching to children in my own studio. The arts are an essential part of educating children and also teach children self confidence, sense of belonging, planning, history...the list goes on!"

Media Contact:
Christine S. Heckman-Denning
Owner Kidz Act LLC
www.kidzactleesburg.com
info@kidzactleesburg.com
703-625-6280

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