Basie’s ‘Cool School’ expands programming

This fall, the Count Basie Theatre’s Cool School will continue its successful collaboration with American Jazz Venues.

The program offers young musicians the rare opportunity to study with professional jazz masters.

The fall program will begin Oct. 1 and run for 10 weeks.

Music Theory and Improvisation classes will be open to musicians proficient on their respective instrument and of all ages.

The Ensemble Band Rehearsal classes, which require an audition to participate, are limited to those 12 to 18 years of age. Auditions will be held on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.

Fees for the 10-week program run from $280 to $700, depending on the number of hours the student wishes to devote.

Students may enroll in any or all of the following classes, which begin Oct. 1: 10-11 a.m. — Beginner Jazz Music Theory & Improv, all ages; 10-11 a.m. — Advanced Jazz Music Theory & Improv, all ages; 11 a.m. to 2: p.m. — Youth Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal and Sectionals, ages: 12-18.

Morning, afternoon and evening classes will now be offered for adults.

The new classes include: Adult Acting 101 for novices, Thursday 9:30-11 a.m.; Adult Acting For The Stage, Beyond The Basics, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.; Becoming An Accomplished Actor, Mondays, 8-10 p.m.; A Play Readers Discussion Group, Wednesday, 2-4 p.m., taught by John Bucovec, head of the theater department at Brookdale Community College; Character and Scene Study II, taught by Joe Russo, head of Red Bank Regional High School’s Drama Department, Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m.

Detailed course descriptions and staff biographies, as well as registration forms, are available at www.countbasietheatre.org. or by calling Scudiery at (732) 224-8778, ext. 106.