About the Grades 6 to 8 Programs
Learn More
Developing artists will build upon foundational actor’s tools and explore storytelling through different genres: ensemble acting, musical theatre, and more! With a rich variety of course offerings students can deepen their skills while stretching themselves to try new artistic approaches, developing their own unique voice and style.
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
Weekend Classes
Actor's Toolbox: Fundamentals of Acting
The Actor’s Toolbox engages students in the creative process and supports their growth as actors, individually and in an ensemble. Over the course of 8 classes, participants will assemble and polish the fundamentals of performance (body, voice, mind, and imagination) by exploring technique, ensemble building, movement, voice, and working with basic text. In the final class, students will share what they’ve learned with friends and family. We recommend students take this class more than once, to continue stocking their toolbox and keeping their tools sharp!
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Taught by: Kevin Williams
Fundamentals of Musical Theatre
This class explores the fundamentals of musical theatre. Participants will develop characters within the context of a musical scene, explore various musical styles, and develop songs, scenes, and numbers from various musicals. Through solo, small-group, and ensemble work, students will learn how to transition from scene to song, creating a believable shift that allows the audience to follow a character’s journey. A final presentation for family and friends will take place on the last day of class.
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Alisa Cassola
Taught by: Annabel Wall
Let's Improv
Let's Improv ignites students’ ability to make bold choices in the moment. Through short- and long-form improv activities, participants build skills to create and sustain improvised situations. The emphasis is on developing a facility for improvisation as both performance art and rehearsal technique. At the final class, family and friends are invited to join the fun and to be prepared for anything—if you’re in the room, you’re in the scene!
Taught by: Danny Bolton
Taught by: Shamus Hunter McCarty
Performance & Design Classes
Teen Performance Ensemble
WFT’s Performance Ensemble program, for students in grades 8-12, is the opportunity for teen actors to deepen their skills as theatrical storytellers. Over a 10-week period students will further develop their actor’s tools while rehearsing for a culminating production of, Clue: On Stage (High School Edition) on Friday, September 16th, set to take place on WFT’s stage on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday December 12. This fall's production will be directed by Dev Luthra. Video audition required, please see below for more information.
The Play
Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth – the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out…WHO did it, WHERE, and with WHAT! -From BroadwayLicensing.com
Click here to learn more about the show, the casting breakdown, audition requirements, rehearsal calendar AND sample monologues for auditions.
Auditions
Actors will be asked to submit an audition video for the production. Video auditions should contain the following:
Actor’s name, Actor’s pronouns, A 1 to 2-minute comedic monologue of your choosing.
Actors will also need to upload a resume outlining their performance and applicable experience & write a statement of purpose. Statement of purposes should include why you are auditioning and what you hope to gain from participating in the program. Audition materials should be submitted by Friday , September 23 at 9pm Click here to submit your video audition.
Have any questions? You can call a member of our Education staff at 617.353.2994 or email us at WFTED@bu.edu
Rehearsal/Performance Schedule
Click here to review the entire rehearsal/performance calendar.
Taught by: Dev Luthra
Teen Design & Tech Intensive
February Vacation Programs
Our February Vacation week programs all invite students to adapt and create original stories. Inspired by our upcoming production of Make Way For Ducklings, a new adaptation of the beloved story.
Before care (8am to 9am) and after care (3:30pm to 5:00pm) will be available for all of our vacation programs for an additional fee. Families will be contacted the week prior to the start of the program to register for either/both options. You’ll have the option to purchase by day or for the entire week.
April Vacation Programs
Spend your April vacation at WFT: There’s No Place Like Home! April vacation is all about Musical Theatre! Classes will be tied to the main stage production of The Wizard of Oz. All classes will attend a matinee performance of our production of The Wizard of Oz during the week.
Before care (8am to 9am) and after care (3:30pm to 5:00pm) will be available for all of our vacation programs for an additional fee. Families will be contacted the week prior to the start of the program to register for either/both options. You’ll have the option to purchase by day or for the entire week.
Teen Performance Ensemble
WFT’s Performance Ensemble program, for students in grades 6-12, is the opportunity for teen actors to deepen their skills as theatrical storytellers. Over a 10-week period students will further develop their actor’s tools while rehearsing for a culminating production of Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe by Eric Coble to take place on the WFT stage on December 17 & 18. Directed by Nick Vargas
Tuition $750 (Full-scholarships & tuition assistance available. Click here to submit a request.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: Edgar Allan Poe stands alone in the flickering darkness of his mind, trying desperately to convince himself — and us — that he’s not mad. The spell he weaves brings us a highly theatrical adaptation of four tales Poe himself considered his best: “The Raven,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Enter the world of Poe and check your heartbeat at the door.
Click here to view more information about the program including the full rehearsal schedule.
This program will take place in person, with actors being required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination. We will follow Boston University’s Face Covering’s policy for all rehearsals. We anticipate sharing the final performance without masks with additional safety protocols in place. We will continue to monitor public safety recommendations and be prepared to adjust the structure and nature of our classes and performances as necessary to adhere to current guidelines and regulations. View all our policies and protocols here.
Semi Private Coaching
Summer Vacation Programs
Please note, all grades refer to placement in the fall of 2022.
Before care (8am to 9am) and after care (3:30pm to 5:00pm) will be available for all of our vacation programs for an additional fee. Families will be contacted the week prior to the start of the program to register for either/both options. You’ll have the option to purchase by day or for the entire week.
Masterclasses
Explore Other Age Groups
