The Wilde Coward Company (“TWCC”) in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is an integrated art studio, which means they do it all. Their studio goes far beyond what you would find at other studios because they focus on all aspects of art. They provide classes in dance, theatre, yoga, singing, and fine arts. Along with their classes, they also endeavor to give their students plenty of chances to exercise their talents throughout the year with many performance opportunities.
Starting out as a traveling theatre and dance troupe, The Wilde Coward Company (derived from two of our favorite playwrights Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward) has been entertaining local audiences for a number of years. After spending the past eight seasons on the road rehearsing in living rooms and sister studios, they are putting down roots as a fully developed arts studio.
The Wilde Coward Company recently set up residence as an educational haven for artistic expression. Their curriculum has strong focus in dance, yoga, theatre, and fine arts. They bring decades of experience to the community and offer courses for all ages. Along with their classes, they continue to produce outstanding performances.
They offer classes in several genres. Their dance classes include Ballet/Pointe, Jazz, Tap, 
Lyrical, Contemporary, Leaps & Turns, Hip Hop, Yoga, and Zumba. The classes they offered in their theatre curriculum include Introduction – Learn the basics of stagecraft, Advanced – Put on a full production: top to bottom, Film – Use the semester to make your own film, Audition Techniques – Pick up skills on cold reading and more, Shakespeare – History, tragedy, comedy: Shakespeare had it all, Improv – Hilarious games and situations. Fine Arts Classes offered include Intro & Advanced Drawing, Intro & Advanced Sculpting, BYOB Wilde Painting Events Monthly.
Jo Yadanza, Co-Owner and Director of Dance, believes that there are two things that separate them from the other studios. This first is TWCC’s variety. Nowhere else are you able to work with so many skilled and talented teachers in so many disciplines, not just dance. The other thing that separates them is the fact that they really focus on the performance aspect of their arts. They constantly have different shows in rehearsal and average about three main stage performances a year, (this number is set to increase) as well as many community performances such as festivals.
Jo is very lucky because her proudest moment is realized over and over again. That is when one of her students achieves a level they not thought possible. Whether it is acceptance to an intensive, a scholarship, or even a job in a dance company, she gets to see her students succeed over and over again, and she couldn’t feel more proud of them.
In Jo’s opinion, the biggest mistake that dancers make is slipping into a lack of communication with their teachers. There have been many situations that she has personally come across that would have been easily fixed or avoided if only that student spoke with their teacher. No student should fear their teacher so much that they cannot ask a question or relay a fear. Not talking about problems or desires with those that can help is just letting opportunity slip by. Jo encourages her students to speak up, and if they want something they have to let it be known.
Jo’s goals for the year are simple. She hopes to grow her studio more and grow her productions. There are so many talented people out there and she wants to find them and work with them.
Jo believes that starting a studio was a true calling for her sister and herself. They wanted to use their talents as well as teach others to use theirs. Once the subject of starting their own studio/performance company was brought up between them, it was so obvious that this was a path that they were meant to go down. It is the realization of a passion that both Jo and her sister shared.
Jo urges everyone to check out their website – www.wildecoward.com. They have so much going on at any given time, it is hard to explain it all. But they put it all on the website for all to see.
If you would like more information about The Wilde Coward Company, visit their website at www.wildecoward.com or call them at (386) 227-7444. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and view them on YouTube.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Jo Yadanza of Wilde Coward Company.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
