About the Grades 1 to 3 Programs

Learn More

Rooted in process-based story drama, students are introduced to the actor’s tools of body, voice, mind and imagination. Students develop characters, solve creative problems and enter the world of the story. Students have fun while also developing valuable literacy and life skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, focus and creativity. Each session, there is a new theme to spark the imagination, creating a fun, new experience each class!

If you have questions about whether a program is the right match for your child or if your child needs accommodations to access any of our programming, please reach out to Jeri Hammond, Director of Education, at jerih@bu.edu

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Summer Programs

Please note, all grades refer to placement in the fall of 2023.

Grades K to 1

Under the Big Top

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist email wfted@bu.edu
Come one, Come all to the Greatest Show on Earth! We will kick-off our summer program with a rousing week-long exploration of the theatrical world of the circus. Professional Boston area circus artists will lead classes each day in circus skills such as clowning, juggling, tumbling, spinning plates, hula hoops, acrobatics, Chinese yo-yo, and more! In partnership with Cirque Us, students will learn the skill and storytelling involved in contemporary circus performance. All together, making for a three-ring circus of an experience!

Families are invited to join us under the big top at 2:00 p.m. on the last afternoon for a sharing of the week’s learning.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Circus Arts, Clowning, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30 9:00am - 3:30pm

Puppet Academy: Dream it. Make it. Share it.

Image for class 'Puppet Academy: Dream it. Make it. Share it.'
Limited spaces available! Dive into the wildly creative and interdisciplinary world of puppetry arts! This summer, students will learn the secrets of crafting extraordinary puppet characters and bringing them to life. In partnership with Puppet Showplace Theater, students will work with professional puppeteers, as they 1. create a puppet, 2. learn the skills involved in bringing the puppet character to life, and 3. share their creations with an audience. Join us for a fun and imaginative start to summer vacation!

Families are invited to join at 2:00 p.m. on the last afternoon for a sharing of the week’s learning.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): In Person, Puppetry |
Tuition: $288
Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, July 7 9:00am - 3:30pm

Treasure Trunk Theatre: Jurassic Journeys

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. It’s positively prehistoric! Get ready to take an imaginative trip! Inspired by mystery objects found in the treasure trunk, students will head off on a new adventure each day using movement, creative problem-solving, and imaginative play. An engaging theme charts the course for a fun-filled journey. Adventure back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth and let your imaginations travel. The morning will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Jennifer Duval White

Characters Take the Stage: Pirate Adventures

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu Calling all Seafarers! A fun and physical introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind, and imagination). Using fantastical tales as a jumping-off point to spark and support the creative process, the characters will fly off the page as students participate in movement exercises, story reenactments, theatre games, improvisation, role-playing, music, dance, and visual arts. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Acting, Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alex Brodsky-Benedetti

Mini Musical: Seussical Kids

This program is sold out. To be added to a waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu This program is a fast-paced intensive for young people ready to take the stage. In three weeks, students will work together to perform a 30-minute version of Seussical. While working on this musical, they will advance their acting, singing, and dancing skills while also learning more about production elements such as set, props, costumes, and sound and light design. A final performance demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:00p.m. on the final day of the program.

About the show: Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat, our narrator, tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child, who gets in trouble for thinking too many "thinks." Horton's challenge is twofold — not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Performance, Summer |
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 28 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Sophie Rich, Lindsay Albert

Backstage Adventures: Seuss on the Loose

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Who makes all those fabulous THINGS seen on stage? In this class, students will be introduced to some of the backstage secrets that result in onstage magic. Students will tour all of the behind the scenes spaces at the theatre and through hands-on experiences get to try their hands at design. Inspired by the wacky imagination of Seuss, students will create costume, scenic and prop designs that are whimsical and wonderful. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer, Theatre Design, Visual Arts |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Jennifer Duval White

Music Movers: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Get ready to move and groove! Students will make their own music exploring rhythm and music dynamics such as loud/soft, high/low, fast/slow. Through creative movement inspired by different forms of transportation, students will fly, zoom and do the locomotion as they explore different ways of moving in a celebration of self-expression. In our Music Movers classes, dancing to the beat of your own drum is encouraged! The morning will be spent engaging in music-making and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 9:00am - 3:30pm

Story Explorers: Stories of Mo Willems

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. A week of creative play inspired by the imagination of author Mo Willems and characters such as Elephant and Piggie and a Pigeon who Drives a Bus! Students will work together and use their imaginations, bodies, and voices while traveling inside favorite storybooks. The morning will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28 9:00am - 3:30pm

Sing & Dance-a-Story: Into the Wild

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu. Inspired by the stories and music from favorite musicals that invite you to Move-It, Move-It out in the wild, students will learn to “sing a story” by exploring the various voices that can be produced by using the appropriate vocal technique. Students will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement through improvisation to create vivid characters. They will “dance a story” by learning to use creative movement to bring a story to life. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alex Brodsky-Benedetti

Playmakers Junior: Kid Frankenstein

Limited spaces available! In this program students will develop characters through movement, and vocal exercises and bring to life this frightfully funny sci-fi fantasy Kid Frankenstein. In addition, they will learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing a play as they design and create set pieces, costumes, and props! Family and friends are invited to a final performance demonstration at 2:00 p.m. on the last day of class.

About the show: Frightfully funny laughs are in store in this bright new version of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein. Frankie and Irving are science nerds who have an unusual idea for the upcoming Science Fair! When Doctor Frankenstein’s ancient secret book arrives from Transylvania, the friends are whisked into a sci-fi fantasy of time-warped, weirdly scary and lively adventure!
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person, Performance, Summer |
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 31- Friday, Aug 18(Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Shamus Hunter McCarty

Treasure Trunk Theatre: Lands of Make Believe

This program is sold out. Please email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Fantastical creatures in magical places await. Get ready to take an imaginative trip! Inspired by mystery objects found in the treasure trunk, students will head off on a new adventure each day using movement, creative problem-solving, and imaginative play. An engaging theme charts the course for a fun-filled journey. Calling all dreamers: what lies over the rainbow, down the rabbit hole or where the sidewalk ends? It’s whatever you can imagine! The morning will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 9:00am - 3:30pm

Characters Take the Stage: Mythical Creatures

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. If you could be a mythical creature, who would you be? A fun and physical introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind, and imagination). Using fantastical tales as a jumping-off point to spark and support the creative process, the characters will fly off the page as students participate in movement exercises, story reenactments, theatre games, improvisation, role-playing, music, dance, and visual arts. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alyse Clinton

Music Movers: Bug Boogie

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu. Get ready to move and groove! Students will make their own music exploring rhythm and music dynamics such as loud/soft, high/low, fast/slow. Through creative movement inspired by favorite crawly critters, students will go buggy as they explore different ways of moving in a celebration of self-expression. In our Music Movers classes, dancing to the beat of your own drum is encouraged! The morning will be spent engaging in music-making and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11 9:00am - 3:30pm

Backstage Adventures: Fractured Fairy Tales

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Who makes all those fabulous THINGS seen on stage? In this class, students will be introduced to some of the backstage secrets that result in onstage magic. Students will tour all of the behind the scenes spaces at the theatre and through hands-on experiences get to try their hands at design. Inspired by the world of Once Upon a Time, students will create costume, scenic and prop designs that celebrate happily ever (never?) after. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.

Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer, Theatre Design, Visual Arts |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Eva Murray

Sing & Dance-a-Story: Under the Sea

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist, email wfted@bu.edu. Inspired by the stories and music from favorite musicals that take you Under the Sea, students will learn to “sing a story” by exploring the various voices that can be produced by using the appropriate vocal technique. Students will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement through improvisation to create vivid characters. They will “dance a story” by learning to use creative movement to bring a story to life. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18 9:00am - 3:30pm

Story Explorers: Stories of Matt de la Peña

This program is sold out. Please email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. A week of creative play inspired by the imagination of author Matt de la Peña and books such as Last Stop on Market Street and Milo Imagines the World! Students will work together and use their imaginations, bodies, and voices while traveling inside favorite storybooks. The morning will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement and the second half of the day will be our Afternoon Arts Adventure: hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the last day of class.
Grades: 1st Grade, Kindergarten | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18 9:00am - 3:30pm

Grades 2 to 3

Under the Big Top

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu. Come one, Come all to the Greatest Show on Earth! We will kick-off our summer program with a rousing week-long exploration of the theatrical world of the circus. Professional Boston area circus artists will lead classes each day in circus skills such as clowning, juggling, tumbling, spinning plates, hula hoops, acrobatics, Chinese yo-yo, and more! In partnership with Cirque Us, students will learn the skill and storytelling involved in contemporary circus performance. All together, making for a three-ring circus of an experience!

Families are invited to join us under the big top at 2:00 p.m. on the last afternoon for a sharing of the week’s learning.
Grades: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Circus Arts, Clowning, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30 9:00am - 3:30pm

Puppet Academy: Dream it. Make it. Share it.

Image for class 'Puppet Academy: Dream it. Make it. Share it.'
Limited space available! Dive into the wildly creative and interdisciplinary world of puppetry arts! This summer, students will learn the secrets of crafting extraordinary puppet characters and bringing them to life. In partnership with Puppet Showplace Theater, students will work with professional puppeteers, as they 1. create a puppet, 2. learn the skills involved in bringing the puppet character to life, and 3. share their creations with an audience. Join us for a fun and imaginative start to summer vacation!

Families are invited to join at 2:00 p.m. on the last afternoon for a sharing of the week’s learning.
Grades: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Puppetry |
Tuition: $288
Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, July 7 9:00am - 3:30pm

Characters Take the Stage: Pirate Adventures

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu Calling all Seafarers! A fun and physical introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind, and imagination). Using fantastical tales as a jumping-off point to spark and support the creative process, the characters will fly off the page as students participate in movement exercises, story reenactments, theatre games, improvisation, role-playing, music, dance, and visual arts. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Acting, Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alex Brodsky-Benedetti

Mini Musical: Seussical Kids

This program is sold out. To be added to a waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu This program is a fast-paced intensive for young people ready to take the stage. In three weeks, students will work together to perform a 30-minute version of Seussical. While working on this musical, they will advance their acting, singing, and dancing skills while also learning more about production elements such as set, props, costumes, and sound and light design. A final performance demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:00p.m. on the final day of the program.

About the show: Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat, our narrator, tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child, who gets in trouble for thinking too many "thinks." Horton's challenge is twofold — not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Performance, Summer |
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 28 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Sophie Rich, Lindsay Albert

Backstage Adventures: Seuss on the Loose

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Who makes all those fabulous THINGS seen on stage? In this class, students will be introduced to some of the backstage secrets that result in onstage magic. Students will tour all of the behind the scenes spaces at the theatre and through hands-on experiences get to try their hands at design. Inspired by the wacky imagination of Seuss, students will create costume, scenic and prop designs that are whimsical and wonderful. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer, Theatre Design, Visual Arts |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Jennifer Duval White

Sing & Dance-a-Story: Into the Wild

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu. Inspired by the stories and music from favorite musicals that invite you to Move-It, Move-It out in the wild, students will learn to “sing a story” by exploring the various voices that can be produced by using the appropriate vocal technique. Students will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement through improvisation to create vivid characters. They will “dance a story” by learning to use creative movement to bring a story to life. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alex Brodsky-Benedetti

Playmakers Junior: Kid Frankenstein

Limited spaces available! In this program students will develop characters through movement, and vocal exercises and bring to life this frightfully funny sci-fi fantasy Kid Frankenstein. In addition, they will learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing a play as they design and create set pieces, costumes, and props! Family and friends are invited to a final performance demonstration at 2:00 p.m. on the last day of class.

About the show: Frightfully funny laughs are in store in this bright new version of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein. Frankie and Irving are science nerds who have an unusual idea for the upcoming Science Fair! When Doctor Frankenstein’s ancient secret book arrives from Transylvania, the friends are whisked into a sci-fi fantasy of time-warped, weirdly scary and lively adventure!
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person, Performance, Summer |
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 31- Friday, Aug 18(Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Shamus Hunter McCarty

Characters Take the Stage: Mythical Creatures

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. If you could be a mythical creature, who would you be? A fun and physical introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind, and imagination). Using fantastical tales as a jumping-off point to spark and support the creative process, the characters will fly off the page as students participate in movement exercises, story reenactments, theatre games, improvisation, role-playing, music, dance, and visual arts. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Alyse Clinton

Backstage Adventures: Fractured Fairy Tales

This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist. Who makes all those fabulous THINGS seen on stage? In this class, students will be introduced to some of the backstage secrets that result in onstage magic. Students will tour all of the behind the scenes spaces at the theatre and through hands-on experiences get to try their hands at design. Inspired by the world of Once Upon a Time, students will create costume, scenic and prop designs that celebrate happily ever (never?) after. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.

Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): Creative Drama, In Person, Summer, Theatre Design, Visual Arts |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Eva Murray

Sing & Dance-a-Story: Under the Sea

This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist, email wfted@bu.edu. Inspired by the stories and music from favorite musicals that take you Under the Sea, students will learn to “sing a story” by exploring the various voices that can be produced by using the appropriate vocal technique. Students will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement through improvisation to create vivid characters. They will “dance a story” by learning to use creative movement to bring a story to life. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class at 2:00 p.m.
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Summer |
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18 9:00am - 3:30pm

Weekend Classes

Fall weekend classes will be announced and available for registration on Tuesday, July 11.

February Vacation Program

February vacation classes will be announced and available for registration on November 1.

April Vacation Program

April vacation classes will be announced and available for registration on November 1.

Summer Programs

Our summer 2023 classes will be online and available for registration starting January 2, 2023.

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