Adult Education Programs
Vision & Mission
Our classes offer an accessible, safe and inclusive space for novice adult learners, or the more experienced. We value diversity and respect each community member and their contributions equally. Click HERE to read more about our Vision & Mission for all of our education programs.
On-Site Classes
Life in Short: Micro Memoir Workshop
Memoir doesn’t have to cover decades to tell a story. Sometimes a single moment, vividly depicted, illuminates a life. If you’ve wanted to write memoir but are overwhelmed at the immensity of the task—or you’re already writing but need a fresh approach—consider micro memoir. The smaller format can be freeing, allowing you to focus on an event that serves as a microcosm of the larger experience. In this weekend-long workshop you’ll gain techniques and tips to write tight, powerful micro memoirs—short narrative forms—and come away with a polished 100-word piece and a 200-word piece suitable for publication (with guidance on where to submit). In just one weekend, you’ll learn how to vividly capture details of a unique life well-lived: your own.
A book reviewer for Publishers Weekly, Linda’s micro nonfiction has been published in the New York Times and in “Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less” (Artisan Books, December 2020). Her writing advice has appeared in The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazines. Linda has presented at writing conferences from the Chautauqua Writers’ Festival to HippoCamp, the annual nonfiction conference of Hippocampus magazine. Her track record teaching micro memoir has yielded three Tiny Love Stories (published by the New York Times) written by three students in her classes.
SCHEDULE
Friday: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Adult Improv with Tim Mahar
Learn collaboration, performance skills, and improvisation skills, then perform LIVE on Auburn Public Theater’s Main Stage!
Program instructed by Tim Mahar.
The program runs from January 9 through February 27 from 7:00 -8:30pm at Auburn Public Theater. Classes culminate with a showcase on Thursday, March 6th, 2025.
Tuition is $200, and need based scholarships are available. Please register online here (by clicking ‘Ticket’ above), or receive registration form & scholarship forms from Auburn Public Theater’s Education Coordinator, Nickie Foley at info@auburnpublictheater.org.
* No prior experience necessary!
About the Instructor:
Timothy Mahar studied improvisation with the Second City Comedy Troupes in Toronto and Chicago. He received his Master’s degree in Public Administration and Certificate of Advanced Study in Conflict Resolution from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Tim has performed improv for over 30 years in addition to hosting and acting on several television programs and movies, along with radio. He has experience as a facilitator and presenter. He has presented and held workshops for various organizations on the topic of creative conflict and crisis management. In addition he has held high level positions as Assistant Dean, and Executive Director at both Syracuse and Cornell Universities.
Intro to Stand-Up
Learn how to put together a stand up set and perform on Auburn Public Theater’s Main Stage. Taught by Carey Eidel. Mondays 6pm-730pm.
Who: Carey Eidel will be the instructor.
What: This stand-up class provides an eight-week course that guides you through writing and performing your own stand-up material.
When: Eight consecutive Mondays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm starting Monday, March 3rd through Monday, April 21st. Participants will have a showcase for friends, family, and the general public on Monday, April 28th at 7pm!
Where: Auburn Public Theater Cinema.
Cost: $200/participant.
About the Instructor:
Carey Eidel is a founding member and the Director of Finance & Grants at Auburn Public Theater (APT) and holds a B.A. in theater from Bucknell University. He is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, where he studied under Sanford Meisner and Wynn Handman. He began his stand-up career at Catch A Rising Star in NYC and performed in clubs both as a solo act and with a partner for many years. After moving to Los Angeles, Carey performed comedy at The Improv and The Laugh Factory, as his acting career developed. He starred in the Fox sitcom, Daddy Dearest with fellow comedians Don Rickles and Richard Lewis and continued acting in movies (The Lost World: Jurassic Park and television (The Amanda Show). Carey was also a sitcom writer for CBS and had his own acting studio in LA for many years. After moving to Auburn and helping to found APT, he performed in numerous productions at Syracuse Stage and taught acting, screenwriting and film production as an adjunct professor at Cayuga Community College. Carey is a member of The Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG/AFTRA) and the Actors Equity Association (AEA).
APT educational programs are made possible through the generous support of:
The Cayuga Community Fund, The Central NY Community Foundation, The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, The John Ben Snow Foundation, The Nelson B. Delavan Foundation, The Mimi Fishman Foundation, The M&T Charitable Trust, The Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation, and The United Way of Cayuga County.