Left to Right: Walela Davies, Nova Davies, and Sophia Carter. Photo credit to Bruce Bloy.SILVER CITY, NM – TheActrix Studio, in partnership with The Hearth, is now enrolling students for AfterSchool TheActrix! — an enriching drama program for ages 6–12 designed to build confidence, creativity, and community through theatre arts.
Meeting Monday–Thursday, 3:30–5:30 PM at The Hearth (1915 N. Swan St.), students will explore acting, improvisation, Playback Theatre, and original storytelling, culminating in three upcoming public performances:
August 28 – Be Kind to Everyone Day at The Hearth
October 4 – Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival
November 15 – Tamal Festival
The October and November performances will feature a collaboration between AfterSchool TheActrix! and the Bayard Public Library's Youth Drama Club, led by Wendy Spurgeon, bringing together young performers from the Silver and Cobre Consolidated School Districts to share the harvest of their gifts with the wider Grant County community.
"Theatre is more than performance — it's a way to listen deeply, express boldly, and connect with others across differences," says Wendy Spurgeon, founder of TheActrix Studio and Assistant Librarian at Bayard Public Library. "These kids are learning skills that will serve them for life."
Emily Aversa, Coordinator at The Hearth, adds, "We're thrilled to see The Hearth filled with laughter, learning, and the magic of young creativity every afternoon."
Cindy "Renee" Provencio, Head Librarian at the Bayard Public Library, shares, "We're excited to grow the Youth Drama Club in our library each week, and to offer Cobre students a space to explore their creativity."
Walela Davies, a 9 year old returning student from many TheActrix camps and programs says, "It was so much fun. We worked together on so many plays and I really liked it. Wendy was so much fun to work with and she was a great director in our plays and the first time I met Wendy she was very kind and I hope you get to meet Wendy"
Her father, Damien Davies notes, "I cannot say enough good things about the summer drama camp series. Both of my daughters aged 6 and 9 were obsessed with the activities and learned an incredible amount in a very short time. As a former youth worker in Grant County I can say without a doubt that this is one of the best things going on for youth in our town. They learned so much more than just drama principles. They learned about teamwork, confidence, emotional intelligence, reading, and problem solving just to name a few. The plays were well put together and provided a stage in which all of the kids were able to have that amazing feeling of being center stage and all of the confidence that comes with that experience. My kids had a safe space with amazing adults who not only taught but also impressed upon them the feeling of being a part of a community. In a world that seems to value art less every year in its educational system it is programs like this that keep the flame lit. Art and expression has been found to be one of the best ways in which to provide support for youth in growing up to be healthy and happy human beings. We need more of it in our world and this program is doing just that. I promise you that when you send your kids to camp during the summer or any of their events they will return happier and with a joy that is contagious."
Youth in the Silver City area can register now at https://theactrix.studio/afterschool.
Cobre students can also join the fun through drop-in drama sessions at the Bayard Public Library on Fridays from 2:00–5:00 PM.
About TheActrix Studio
TheActrix Studio offers soulful, story-driven theatre and youth programs that cultivate self-expression, empathy, and community connection through the performing arts.
