Yanessa Hernandez
Special to the Valley News
It’s a new year and new opportunities. JDS Studios ended 2022 on a high note with their annual Winter Showcase, produced by JDS Creative Academy and JDS Actors Studio. Now, they are focused and ready to kick off 2023 with a lineup of new classes and fantastic events.
From visual, performing and digital art classes to the annual acclaimed DigiFest Temecula, you’ll want to mark your calendars for all the exciting opportunities, entertainment and education fun that’s to come. JDS says get ready for a year of creativity and self-expression.
JDS Creative Academy is known for being a nonprofit organization that makes the arts accessible to all in the community. In 2023, the public can expect JDS Studios to bring it again with a great year of classes for students of all ages. Spring classes kick off Monday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m. with script writing. Do you have a story rolling around in your head that would make a great movie and you need to get it out? JDSCA’s industry-professional writers can help you get started, and show you the pathway as you develop and create characters, dialogue, plot and subplot. The creative backstage production and design class begins Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 4:30 p.m., and it’s the place to be for artists and creatives. Bring your paintbrush and get ready to tune up those fine-art skills and learn sewing, costuming, as well as set, production and event design. Students will learn behind-the-scenes concepts that make up magical theatrical and television experiences.
Photography class returns Wednesdays, kicking off Jan. 25, at 5 p.m., taught by an industry professional. This beginner-friendly class covers photography, techniques and styles in an approachable way of learning new skills which include camera management, lighting and photoshop picture editing.
Musical theater class returns to the stage with auditions for “The Lion King” Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. Professional musical director, Sheila Ryle, and award-winning director, Scott Strand, will teach students everything from singing and dancing to acting and performing on stage in an adapted junior version of the Broadway musical. The performance will highlight the students’ accomplishments, taking place at the spring showcase in May. Enrollment is now open at http://JDSCreativeAcademy.org.
JDS Actors Studio is ready to break a leg in 2023. Acting classes returned Thursday, Jan. 5, with the adult class. The youth acting class is Mondays, at 5 p.m. for ages 7-11, and the teen acting class is held Tuesdays, at 5 p.m. for ages 12 -18. In exciting news, due to high demand, JDS Actors Studio is bringing back the little actors class for children ages 4-6. Little actors can join in on the fun Mondays from 4-5 p.m., beginning Jan. 9.
Aspiring actors should also be on the lookout for “A Day of Acting” with A-list actor G. Anthony Joseph Saturday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost of attendance is $100, and all proceeds will be donated to JDS Creative Academy.
The return of the industry showcase workshop takes place beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Actors will have the opportunity to show off their acting skills to SAG industry agents with the mentorship of executive producer, Diane Strand, and master-acting coach, Scott Strand.
Classes aren’t the only big thing coming to JDS Studios this year. JDS Creative Academy will host the March Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce evening mixer. All are invited to enjoy a night of networking and fun, at no cost to members.
JDS Creative Academy’s signature event also happens in the springtime; DigiFest Temecula returns for its seventh annual festival. DigiFest 2023 is ready to go big and will “Level Up Your Creativity!” Digital submissions are open to creative works in all mediums including podcasts, web design, photography, short film for narrative and documentary, digital fine art and music. New judging categories include acting and scriptwriting. The early-bird entry deadline is Monday, Jan. 23, and the final deadline is extended until Monday, March 6. All creative digital-art lovers can join the excitement, consisting of submissions, competitions, awards, networking, A-list industry speakers and more. Save the dates for April 21, 22 and 23. For additional information, visit http://DigiFestTemecula.org.
JDS Studios believes in taking each new year as an opportunity to grow and give back to the community in new ways. Many more exciting things are coming, such as JDSCA’s Art Across California campaign, where they’ll provide an arts curriculum to after-school programs, nonprofit organizations and online to those that do not have the means of curating curriculum on their own. Make sure to keep an eye out for a new book from Scott and Diane Strand, co-founders of JDS Studios, on entrepreneurship. To stay up to date with all the upcoming fun, connect with the #JDSFamily on social media. Visit http://JDSCreativeAcademy.org and http://JDSActorsStudio.com.
