About the Grades 9-12 Programs

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Experienced artists will strengthen their actor’s tools, broaden their repertoire, and explore new ways of storytelling through different genres and performance opportunities. Our Teen Ensemble & Design Tech Intensive are designed to challenge and stretch our most experienced artists.

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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Weekend Classes

The Actor's Studio

In The Actor’s Studio, serious acting students will move deeper into their craft with a more sophisticated exploration of text through scene study, and individual and ensemble work. Actors will learn how to unpack the “given circumstances” of a scene and work collaboratively with a scene partner to convey the heart of a piece. The class is designed to expand the acting students’ repertoire of acting approaches and techniques, challenging actors ready for the next level. Students will share their work in an Actor’s Showcase during the final class.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person |
Tuition: $400
Sundays (Jan 30 - April 3) No Class Feb 20 & 27 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Taught by: Greg Allen
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Multi-Week Performance & Design Classes

Our multi-week performance-based programs are perfect for the young theatre artist looking to create characters and bring to life imagined worlds with a final show as the end result. Building on our processed oriented programs, these classes challenge students to continue to sharpen their actors’ & theatre design tools, while working as an ensemble to create a production for friends and families. 

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 in late May/early June, 2022 Click here to learn more about the programing and upcoming auditions. 

Tuition $750 (Full-scholarships & tuition assistance available. Click here to submit a request.)

Click here to sign-up to learn more about this Winter's Teen Ensemble

Theatre Design & Tech Intensive

This 3-week intensive is the opportunity for teen designers and technicians to deepen their skills as theatrical storytellers. In a fast paced and fun environment students will further develop their tools as designers while serving as collaborators and technicians on the design of the Teen Performance Ensemble’s culminating musical set to take place on June 3 & 4, 2022.

Professional designers will mentor students in understanding the nuances and technicalities of the various design and technical areas of theatre production.

The first week of the program students will participate in hands-on workshops in the areas of scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design as well as production/stage management. In weeks two & three students will self-select one to two areas of design/tech to focus on, working in tandem with the designers and mentors to fully execute the final production.

Tuition: $450 (Full-scholarships & tuition assistance available. Click here to submit a request.)

Click here to sign-up to learn more about this Winter's Design & Tech Intensive

Semi-Private Coaching

Are you looking to take your acting to the next level? In our semi-private coaching, students will work in small groups of 2 to 3 students with professional acting coaches to develop their skills and learn to maximize their instruments of body and voice. Spots are limited and are first-come first-serve.

  • Tuition: $400
  • Students will be paired with a teacher and in small groups based on their age and previous experience.
    • Ages 9 to 13 coach,
    • Ages 13 to 18 coach
  • All lessons last an hour and will take place on Zoom.
  • Lessons are scheduled based on the teacher and students availability.

Stay tuned for additional information on how to sign-up/register soon!

February Vacation Programs

Our February Vacation week programs all invite students to adapt and create original stories.

10-Minute Play Festival

Inspired by popular play festivals around the country, WFT is bringing back our play marathon! Students will be divided into teams composed of actors, directors, and playwriting, all working towards producing original 10-minute plays--in just five days! Teams will receive mentorship from WFT directors and will have access to props and costume pieces in the theatre’s collection. The week will culminate in a 10 Minute Play Festival showcasing the world premiere performance of these student-created plays.

All students participating in in-person programming must show proof of vaccination. Click here to review our current policies related to Covid-19.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person, Playwriting, Vacation Week |
Tuition: $450
Monday - Friday, Feb 21 - 25 12:30pm - 6:30pm
Registration Disabled

April Vacation Programs

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.

Summer Vacation Programs

Musical Theatre Showcase: Journey's Untold

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Online registration for this class has now closed. Please contact us to learn if space is available and to register. We can be reached at 617.353.2994 or wfted@bu.edu
Find our own voice through song. Through collaboration and small ensemble work, we will discover lesser-known composers/musical theatre shows, as a way to spark our artistic voice and tell our own untold stories. Together we will develop a musical theatre song cycle woven together with monologues and storytelling that tells a unique and compelling story. Previous musical theatre experience recommended.
We will culminate the two weeks with an original musical theatre showcase on Friday, July 8 at 7pm.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Summer |
Tuition: $765
Monday, June 27 - Friday, July 8 (No Class 7/4, Two Week Program) 12:00pm - 6:30pm
Taught by: Joy Clark, Jon Goldberg
Registration Disabled

Theatre Design Intensive, Session 1

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A dynamic immersion in the theatre crafts that are vital to professional stage productions. This course balances theory with practical experience through the study of scenic, prop, costume, lighting, and sound design. Students will work with WFT’s professional technical staff during this three-week intensive, designing and building technical elements for a number of WFT’s Summer Productions: The Stinky Cheeseman & Other Fairy Stupid Tales, Mythic Quests, Mary Poppins Jr. & Shakespeare on the Green. Work will be shared at the final performances of each production.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): In Person, Summer, Theatre Design |
Tuition: $1120
Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 22 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Amanda Fallon
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Shakespeare on the Green: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Image for class 'Shakespeare on the Green: A Midsummer Night's Dream'
In the tradition of Shakespeare in the Park, students in this two-week program will perform an abridged version of a classic Shakespearean comedy on the WFT@BU green. Over the course of the two weeks, this class will decode the sometimes perplexing language of Shakespeare to help students find meaning, humor, and more behind the words. Students will delve into some of the Bard’s most famous scenes and characters, making connections with their own experiences. Families are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us on the green for this classic tale of mischief, mishap and magic.
The program culminates in a Friday evening performance the final week.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Performance, Shakespeare, Summer |
Tuition: $765
Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 15 (Two Week Program) 12:00pm - 6:30pm
Taught by: Dev Luthra, Jen Alison Lewis
Register Now

Shakespeare on the Green: Romeo & Juliet

Image for class 'Shakespeare on the Green: Romeo & Juliet'
In the tradition of Shakespeare in the Park, students in this two-week program will perform an abridged version of a classic Shakespearean drama on the WFT@BU green. Over the course of the two weeks, this class will decode the sometimes perplexing language of Shakespeare to help students find meaning, humor, and more behind the words. Students will delve into some of the Bard’s most famous scenes and characters, making connections with their own experiences. Families are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us on the green for this classic tale of mischief, mishap and magic.
The program culminates in a Friday evening performance the final week.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Performance, Shakespeare, Summer |
Tuition: $850
Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 29 (Two Week Program) 12:00pm - 6:30pm
Taught by: Kayleen Honan, Arlen Hancock
Register Now

Theatre Design Intensive, Session 2

Image for class 'Theatre Design Intensive, Session 2'
A dynamic immersion in the theatre crafts that are vital to professional stage productions. This course balances theory with practical experience through the study of scenic, prop, costume, lighting, and sound design. Students will work with WFT’s professional technical staff during this three-week intensive, designing and building technical elements for a number of WFT’s Summer productions. 101 Dalmatians KIDS, Disney’s Frozen KIDS, Wizarding Worlds, Shrek Jr, Shakespeare on the Green, Advanced Performance Intensive. Work will be shared at the final performances of each production.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): In Person, Summer, Theatre Design |
Tuition: $1200
Monday, July 25 - Friday, August 12 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Amanda Fallon
Register Now

Advanced Performance Intensive

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Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University is holding auditions for teens entering high school to 18 years old with prior training and performance experience committed to deepening their acting skills and knowledge of the craft. A limited number of admission slots are available on a rolling basis and program will be held in-person. Teen actors selected for this program will immerse themselves for two weeks in intensive advanced theatre training. Through challenging exercises and workshops in vocal, movement, and character work, and exploration of scenes from outstanding plays, students will experience the actor's process in-depth. This unique summer theatre program culminates in a public showcase!AUDITION REQUIRED CLICK HERE to sign-up to learn more about virtual auditions.
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person, Summer |
Tuition: $850
Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 12 (Two Week Program) 12:00pm - 6:45pm
Taught by: Fran Weinberg, Esme Allen
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Under the Big Top: A High Flying Circus

Image for class 'Under the Big Top: A High Flying Circus'
Come one, Come all to the Greatest Show on Earth! We will bring our summer to a rousing finish with a 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 addition, Wheelock Family Theatre teaching artists will lead classes in physical comedy, musical theatre, and movement. 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 as we celebrate the end of another fun-filled summer at Wheelock Family Theatre!
Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade | Type(s): Acting, Clowning, Improv, In Person, Physical Comedy, Summer, Visual Arts |
Tuition: $450
Monday, August 15 - Friday, August 19 9:00am - 3:30pm
Register Now

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For more information on all programs and classes, click here.