Valley Center Stage is collaborating with Maple Valley Creative Arts Center to offer acting classes.

Gary Schwartz, Valley Center Stage director, said he is pleased he now has two great theater spaces where he can teach and perform. The arts center is located at 23220 Maple Valley Hwy. SE, Suite 15, Maple Valley, and is equipped with a stage and a rehearsal studio.

Schwartz, who has appeared in numerous films, will teach two acting classes for children ages 9 to 15 at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays starting Feb. 19

Students will have an opportunity to learn Spolin Theater Games, the acting technique responsible for training some of our most celebrated actors.

Maple Valley Creative Arts Council President Mary Jane Glaser is excited about the new partnership.

“I watched Gary Schwartz work with some students at Rock Creek Elementary School recently,” Glaser said. “What a positive experience!”

Theater games were originally devised to teach stage techniques to young student actors, writers, directors and technicians without “how to” lectures. Through playing and problem solving, theatrical skills, disciplines and conventions are absorbed organically, naturally and without conscious effort.

Tuition for an eight week series is $120.

Schwartz’s film credits include Star Trek, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, The Sopranos, Northern Exposure and Twin Peaks and he will teach both classes.

Schwartz can be contacted at Valley Center Stage, (425) 831-5667 or gary@gary-schwartz.com.