Theatre Education at The Playhouse

The Playhouse education department encourages self-development through the dramatic arts, explores the skills of the theatre, fosters an appreciation of the theatre, and acquaints students with technical theatre knowledge.

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Parents Learn more about the kinds of classes and camps the Playhouse offers, what your child will need to bring with them, policy information, and more below.

 

Types of classes

CREATIVE DRAMA: Preschool-Grade 2 (Approximately)
Creative drama sparks children’s natural ability to become the characters they hear about in the books they love. This program is literature-based and designed to foster listening and cooperative skills as well as self-esteem and individual expression. Activities may include:

  • Dramatic play
  • Story enactment
  • Imagination journeys
  • Theatre games
  • Music
  • Puppetry
  • Dance

ACTING AND PERFORMANCE CLASSES: Grades 2-8 (Approximately)
Performance classes use a variety of activities, including but not limited to theatre games, scripted materials, original works, etc. to explore four performance essentials, which include:

  • Voice development
  • Body awareness
  • Character preparation
  • Ensemble formation

PERFORMANCE ACADEMY: Grades 5-12 (Approximately)
In Performance Academy, actors are taken through a more disciplined process: Auditioning, rehearsing, and performing a play to learn how to polish skills in a dynamic, challenging environment. Previous experience is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Performance Academy rehearsals move quickly and are generally more rigorous than other classes and camps, so attendance i vital to the success of both the student and process. 

Parent/Student Protocol

We understand that students’ successful experiences at The Playhouse are, in part, dependent upon the commitment of their parents or guardians. We appreciate your willingness to support your children in this regard. The following are a set of expectations designed to give your children meaningful and safe experiences.

Arrival
Your children depend upon you to drop them off on time. Classes begin at the appointed hour, just like curtain time! Park your car in the lot and walk your children inside. There will be a sign-in sheet. If you need to arrive more than 15 minutes before classes begin, sign up for our Before Care Program or plan to stay with your children in the lobby.

Departure
Your children also depend on you to pick them up on time. Park and come inside to check or sign them out. There will be a Playhouse representative in the lobby to make sure that everyone leaves with a safe adult. If your student is old enough to drive, bike, or walk to classes alone, please ask the education director for a waiver to fill out and sign giving them permission to do so.

Medical Needs and Illness
Please make sure that the emergency numbers you provide are for someone who is available to come should your child need to leave. If students tell us they are ill enough to go home, we take them at their word! Medical needs should be clearly outlined. The more thorough you are, the more prepared we can be. Playhouse staff are not certified to administer medication of any kind to students. In emergency situations, we are trained to administer EpiPens.

Behavior and Discipline
Some students find that theatre classroom and performance etiquette is too demanding for them. Our disciplinary policy is as follows:

  • To clearly state rules and expectations up front
  • To give the student an opportunity to correct behavior
  • To give a reasonable time-out within the classroom
What to bring (and leave at home)

Bring:

  • Shoes that properly cover the entire foot. Tennis shoes or a KEEN style shoe are best. In case of inclement weather requiring snow boots, please bring appropriate footwear to change into. 
  • Nut-free lunch and snacks and beverage to full-day camps. Please put your name on your food. Beverages and snacks can be purchased by full-day campers at the noon hour.
  • Nut-free snack and beverage for half-day camps. Please put your name on your food.
  • Refillable water bottle labeled with student’s name.
  • A sweater or jacket in case the room gets chilly. Layers are best!

 

Don’t Bring:

  • Electronic devices (phones, iPods, etc.) To encourage community-building and active participation, students are not allowed to use phones during classtime, including lunch and breaks, unless used as a therapeutic outlet. Students are welcome to contact family members through the education office if needed.
  • Toys from home, including action figures, stuffed animals, etc. These are easily misplaced or forgotten.
  • Flip flops, open-toed sandals, etc. Shoes should properly cover the entire foot. Tennis shoes or a KEEN style shoe is best. In case of inclement weather requiring snow boots, please bring appropriate footwear to change into. 
Before and After Care

Playhouse staff will provide supervised childcare from 7:30-9:00 AM and 4:00-5:30 PM for summer classes and 7:30-9:00 AM  for Winter Break workshops and Spring Break workshops. The fee is $6.00 per session, per day ($12.00 per day for before and after care). This is not a drop-in service; children must be registered. If a parent is later than 5:30 PM, an additional $20.00 late fee may be charged. After care is not available on Fridays. Before care is only available for morning or full-day camps. After care is only available for afternoon or full-day camps. Extended care activities may consist of free play, games, organized activities, etc. It does not cover class curriculum. After a day of structured activity, students in after care may watch a kid-friendly movie.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
  • All refunds are subject to a $35 cancellation fee.
  • Cancellation must be received two weeks prior to the first date of the camp in order for a refund (minus the cancellation fee) to be issued.
  • If a cancellation occurs less than two weeks before the first day of class, The Playhouse will issue a refund only if another student can be found to fill the empty spot. Otherwise, a credit may be available for another class during the current season. Exceptions may be made for illness due to COVID-19 illness or exposure.
  • If a class is cancelled by The Playhouse due to low enrollment or other circumstances, a full refund will be issued.

Schedule

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