Muncie resident Sonja Rees said she finds theater to be magical. She has performed at the Muncie Civic Theatre since the 1970s, and she has been in various casts on the stages of Ball State. Her undying passion for the performing arts has led her to teach drama classes for almost two years at her business, The Magic Theatre Box.
"There are so many people that need a stress reliever, and drama can do that," she said. "I want to show people how to use their creativity and imagination. My mission is to build confidence and self-esteem through drama."
At The Magic Theatre Box, Rees offers two eight-week long drama classes, one for children ages five through 11 and another for adults 12 and older. For the youth class, Rees uses a workbook, which she made herself, to teach the kids about terminology, such as projection, diction and props. She works with the kids on various exercises and songs. She said they will also wear funny hats at times, hers being one with long dreadlocks.
Rees said she handles the adult class very differently.
"For the adult class, I find a monologue for each student and teach them throughout the classes how to discover this character and who they are," Rees said. "I also ask them what do they want from the scene. At the end of the eight weeks, the students have to perform the monologue and make me believe that they are that character. Acting is telling a believable story."
With classes held every Sunday at Muncie Ballet Studio, Rees said her favorite part about The Magic Theatre Box is her students. She said she has a grandma and grandkids relationship with her students, and she treats the entire Muncie community like family.
"I expect respect," she said. "I want my students to always know that I am here for them. They are my extended family. It's important to make time for family and value it, which is what I do for all of my family."
Sophomore social studies major Corbyn Capshaw has taken classes at The Magic Theatre Box. He said that the classes are kept small to allow more one-on-one time with the instructor. Capshaw said for most people, they need that one-on-one interaction to really learn how to act.
"I grew as an actor when I took my first round of classes with Sonja," Capshaw said. "I also grew a lot of self-confidence. I absolutely love working with Sonja. I consider her not a friend, but as a second mother to me. She is really caring and nurturing, and she is great to work with and be around."
Capshaw said his favorite part of the classes was the acting portion. He said he really enjoyed learning his monologue.
"For me, the end result, when I finally perform the monologue, I just feel this rush when I magically become the character," he said. "Even when you have doubts about performing the character, in the end, you truly become that character, and that's what I love about the whole thing."
Capshaw said he believes that the Magic Theatre Box is great for the city of Muncie. He said it could help kids get off the street and get on the stage as a way to channel their anger and rebellion into great art.
"Even though Muncie has great theaters, I always think you can't have too much performing arts in your life," he said. "Some people need that two hours to enter a different world, a different space and time, to get away from it all and to enjoy their lives."
Capshaw said he believes that the Magic Theatre Box will become a success for Rees. He said once the word gets out, the business will grow and thrive.
In the future, Rees said she hopes to have a building of her own to hold her classes in. She said it is a dream that she can't currently afford.
"Muncie is no longer an industrial town," she said. "We have a more artistic community now. If Muncie is to survive [its changes], everyone has to pull together, and we have to be a team."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
