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You do not pre-register for any classes.  First come/first serve basis.

Class and Instructor Information – Alphabetically by Instructor 

Numbers and parentheses represent session numbers classes are presented.

Curl up and Dye with Mrs. Claus – Deborah Beeson (1, 5)

Starting with stage makeup at the age of 12 and beginning character transformations by 14, Deborah Beeson started off on track to becoming a Master Cosmetologist.  Licensed for 19 years and currently working in the industry, Deborah is ready to share her expertise to help you make fantasies come to life!  Santa’s hygiene and grooming, beard and mustache trimming, preparation and processes of hair whitening including proven products and beautiful curls are among the topics that will be covered.  In 2002 Deborah became a Santa hairdresser for her husband.  As both a hairdresser and a Mrs. Claus, she offers a unique perspective as a presenter. 

Santa and the Deaf – Rebecca Bennett (3, 4)

By popular request, Rebecca is coming back to provide Santa’s and their supports with information and tools which will facilitate improved Santa visits with deaf children and adults.

Beyond the Beard and Red Suit:  Improving Santa's Image – Pam Cavender (2, 5)

Pam believes that in all of us there lays a more professional image just waiting to emerge. “Image” is so much more than a beard and red suit. Rather, it is polishing ones visual, verbal and non verbal skills. Pam’s career has been image! She appeared with Academy Award winner Kathy Bates in “Fried Green Tomatoes”. She was selected by her peers as “Most Congenial” in the Mrs. Georgia pageant. She is also a graduate of the internationally known London Image Institute. Pam is dedicated to making a better you.  She will be covering topics such as “What are the characteristics and traits of Santa”, “Children’s impression of the Jolly Old Elf”, “Santa’s body language and communication skills”, and “Being Santa 24/7 and 365 days a year”.

Media Relations for Santa – Tim Cavender (3, 6)

Tim has over 35 years experience in media relations, as well as 35 years as an experienced Santa Claus. Tim has portrayed Santa on radio and television, including an appearance on a regional television commercial that appeared in eleven different states. He has also had numerous articles written on him in newspapers and magazines. Cavender is also a well know magician, comedian and motivational speaker who has spoken to hundreds of organizations and groups including Fortune 500 companies. He has opened for NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip and has been the recipient of numerous national awards in photography and videography.

Booking Mrs. Claus – Sandy Cohen (2. 4)

Sandy Cohen returns with an updated approach to booking Mrs. Claus without Santa.  Sandy helps uncovers great opportunities where Mrs. Claus can entertain during the Holiday Season.  Besides marketing, Sandy will discuss working with various other Christmas entertainers and show you the business side of Mrs. Claus as well.

Creating a Santa Launch Plan – Dave Davis (3, 6)

This presentation will focus on planning your Santa work throughout the year. You will leave with a checklist of items, a sample launch plan, and a list of resources to help you plan and promote your Santa experience.  The class takes you through an annual TO DO list that helps in all aspects of the preparation for your Season.  Items include marketing yourself, budgeting you time, touch on "Christmas in July", and finally how to enjoy the benefits of Santa year round.

This is Santa America – Bob Elkin (4)

An Introduction to Santa America and the type of work they do.

Whitening without Bleach – Theresa Garrett (2)

This is a process where you can whiten your beard and hair without using bleach.  She will demonstrate the full process.  If you have sensitive skin or just don't like the idea of using bleach, this class is for you.

Adding a Puppet to your Santa – Theresa Garrett (4, 6)

Santa can be scary sometimes to the little ones.  Theresa returns to help Santa get closer to small children with hand held puppets.  The class will teach you how to use the puppet to calm children down, entertain, and add value to Santa's visit.  You will also find out where to purchase and how to create you own unique puppets.

Santa Magic Basics:  Up Close – Duane & Mary Laflin (1)

Be a Santa who can do magical things!  This workshop features tricks and magically delightful happenings you can show those who are standing around you.  You will learn clever illusions and simple magic tricks to present close up and out of your pockets. Along with the easy magic there are also jokes and entertainment concepts you can use to create smiles and get laughs.

Santa Magic Basics: For a Crowd – Duane & Mary Laflin (5)

Be a Santa who can create magical moments for the crowd that gathers around you!  In this workshop learn easy illusions and fun magic tricks that work for any size audience.  Whether in a party group or a small stage presentation, here are clever ideas and simple concepts that allow you to offer wonder-full entertainment.  The ideas are practical for Santa and Christmas themed.

Beyond “Ho Ho Ho”: Communicating with Children – Lee Morris (1, 4)

This topic gets right to the heart of "it's all about the children," and that all-important interaction between children and Santa as they visit.  Examples of the communication skills that will be taught include the physical presence and magic of Santa, sharing the mysticism of the character, the effects of your voice and verbal tones, and your personal narration and responsiveness to children to make them those once in a lifetime questions.  

Santa Lee is a retired minister, most recently Chaplain and Professor of Religion at Berea College in Berea, KY.  Lee was raised on a farm in Western Tennessee, and graduated from Union University in Jackson, TN (1955), where he also pitched baseball.  He received his Masters of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1958, and his Ph.D. in 1965, focusing on "Practical Theology and Pastoral Care."  Lee is anticipating his third year as Santa at West Town Mall in Knoxville,  where each year he welcomes to his knee more than 5,000 children and tries to make each visit "all about the children," personable, engaging, and as naturally magical as possible.  Lee is also a Trainer and worker for Contact Helpline, a lay phone counseling service, in the 865 phone area.

What About Mrs. Claus? – Sara Offutt (2, 6)

If you have never done Mrs. Claus before and are curious about her, this class is for you.  This class will discuss some of the things Mrs. Claus can do, and how she can present herself during the holidays.  There will be a variety of ideas to share.  Subjects that will be discussed include: Where is she from?  What does she wear?  Where does she go?  Additional grooming and various activities she can do.  Is she working with or without Santa??  That is the question!  And much more...

Mrs. Claus 101 Meet & Greet – Trish Parris & Cindy Lu Thomas (1)

A meet and greet welcoming session to exchange ideas and information regarding Mrs. Claus. All are welcome.  If you are married to Santa and behind the scene or play the part of Mrs. Claus, you need to be here.  Want to hear how the other Mrs. Claus’ get through the Season?  Come and share your stories!

Mrs. Claus' Wardrobe – Gloria Wendling (3, 5)

With one of the most popular Mrs. Claus classes from last year, Gloria returns with a wonderful class on the various wardrobe options for Mrs. Claus.  Whether you want to make your own or purchase own of Gloria’s, she has vast knowledge and skill to help you.  Materials, patterns, accessories and other ideas will be discussed.  A large variety of her outfits will be displayed. 

Santa 101 Round Table – Moderators Pending (1, 2, 3)

Roundtables have proven to be a wonderful way to exchange information among our groups.  We will discuss new Santas’ requests for information and include resourceful information about the history of Santa, Santa schools, costuming, hygiene, hair and beard grooming, mall vs. visit differences, and basic role playing.  Plus we will discuss business aspects such as marketing, websites, flyers, basic visit and mall contracts, business expenses, and record keeping. 

Santa 404 Round Table – Carlucci Immediato & Others Pending (4, 5, 6)

Mature Santas have many ideas and love sharing the ways of making themselves better.  The areas for discussion will basically be the same as in Santa 101 except for the “I use this little trick” and the “watch out for” from the masters of the industry.  Enhanced discussion will be directed to bigger entertainment engagements, upgrading of costuming, adding variations of characters such as Father Christmas and St Nicholas, working in various media and professional theater, advanced marketing techniques, and business partnerships.