The stage is mostly bare, with just a few folding chairs placed strategically to indicate a park bench, a subway train or a baggage claim area. As the scenes progress, the actors become chimps pounding typewriters, strangers beginning a promising new relationship.

"Acting is really learning to communicate, to fully explain a character with movements, vocal inflection and facial expressions," said Scott B. Randall, who teaches the adult acting class at the Historic Everett Theatre for Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. "If you can convey a message, tell a story, make the audience feel something, then you've done your job as an actor."

Randall's current acting class, sixteen people who range in age from 18 to much older, will showcase the skills they've learned over the past six months in an Actors' Showcase Sunday, June 13, at 8 p.m. at the Everett Theatre. A collection of short scenes from theatre and movies, the showcase challenges each student, many of whom have never performed before a live audience.

Larry Henry of Monroe shares a heart-wrenching scene from "Good Will Hunting" with fellow student Matt Glazener, then dons a tutu to become a chimp tasked with writing "Hamlet."

"I acted in college, and even went to Hollywood in the early 1960s to do a screen test," said Henry. "But the part went to Glenn Corbett, and I came back home."

Henry had a successful career as a sports writer and columnist for The Herald, working at the local paper for 24 years, and freelancing as a writer for the Seattle Mariners magazine. But in the back of his mind, he always wanted to get back to acting.

"This has been an enlightening and encouraging experience," said Henry. "Scott is an excellent teacher who always makes me feel like I can do this."

Melody Cummings drives all the way from Maple Valley every Sunday to attend acting classes at the theatre. Like Henry, she always wanted to be an actor, but she started a family at a young age and devoted her energies to being a mother.

"I met Scott at an audition in February, and learned about the class," said Cummings. "I absolutely love it, and look forward to this time every week. It's a little bit of 'me' time among all my other responsibilities."

The class makeup is diverse, with young mothers, college and high school students, working professionals and retirees sharing the stage.

Classes are scheduled once a week, and students typically have homework assignments as well. Whether it's learning lines or developing a character's back story, students are encouraged to dig deeper into their material throughout the week. The curriculum is intense but rewarding.

Red Curtain's summer class session begins June 14 at the Historic Everett Theatre. In addition to the Adult Acting class, for ages 15 and up, Randall will be leading the study of Classical Theatre and Stage Makeup.

The organization also plans a summer program for kids ages 10 to 16. Summer Stars is a 3-week, full-day theatre workshop that culminates in the production of "A Kidsummer Night's Dream," a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy classic.

For information about the education programs offered by Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts, visit www.redcurtainfoundation.org.