Award-winning actor and filmmaker Cranstan Cumberbatch will begin teaching free acting classes in Clearwater starting June 2, according to an announcement on May 26. The program, called ACT LIKE YA KNOW (A.L.Y.K.), is a community theater workshop offered by the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project for both youth and adults.
The workshop aims to help participants explore emotions, physicality, and communication skills. Jake-ann Jones, co-founder of the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project and coordinator of A.L.Y.K., said she was inspired to organize the classes after conversations with North Greenwood residents who requested more access to acting instruction. “Taking acting classes helped me recover from some childhood trauma and gave me some balance to my young, nerdy, eccentric personality,” Jones said.
Jai Hinson, founder of Artz 4 Life Academy where the workshops will be held, emphasized the benefits for participants. Hinson said, “It is going to help people find confidence, learn to be confident in their articulation and their thought process, and be expressive.” Hinson also highlighted that the opportunity allows people “to just have some fun” during challenging times.
Cumberbatch said he believes talent exists everywhere but not everyone has equal access or opportunity. “North Greenwood already has culture, stories, personality, and creativity built into it. Sometimes people just need a safe space and the right encouragement to unlock it,” he said. He added that returning to teach in communities similar to those where he grew up holds personal significance: “So being able to come back and help create that space for somebody else means a lot to me.” Cumberbatch described acting as an ongoing learning process: “Acting is something you continue evolving in for life.” He noted that training develops discipline, listening skills, emotional awareness, confidence, stage presence, collaboration abilities, as well as understanding human behavior.
The curriculum will include improvisation exercises; lessons on stage presence; vocal projection; movement; character development; monologues; scene study; ensemble work; script analysis; preparation for live performance; as well as film techniques relevant for today’s performers. DreamMakerz Productions—co-founded by Cumberbatch—is currently producing AX3: Artificial Intelligence from its AGENT X series while casting several projects.
Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project describes itself as a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access across Tampa Bay communities through arts education opportunities aimed at fostering personal growth and community connection.
