About the Grades 4 to 5 Programs
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Developing artists will build 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
Now Extended through December 31!
Use the code “Holiday20” to save 20% on all winter weekend classes!
Weekend Classes
Actor's Toolbox
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 on the WFT stage. We recommend students take this class more than once, to continue stocking their toolbox and keeping their tools sharp!
Tuition: $400
Saturdays (Jan 29 - April 2) No Class Feb 19 & 26) - 9:30am - 11:00am
Taught by: Beth Peters
Taught by: Beth Peters
Sundays (Jan 30 - April 3) No Class Feb 20 & 27 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Musical Theatre Comprehensive
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.
Tuition: $400
Saturdays (Jan 29 - April 2) No Class Feb 19 & 26 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Isaac Leaverton
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Isaac Leaverton
Sundays (Jan 30 - April 3) No Class Feb 20 & 27 12:30pm - 2:00pm
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!
Tuition: $400
Saturdays (Jan 29 - April 2) No Class Feb 19 & 26 11:00am - 12:30pm
Multi-Week Performance Classes
Our multi-week in-person 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’ tools while working as an ensemble to create a production for friends and families. All programs are first-come first serve and while previous performance experience is not required it is highly encouraged
Play Production - Dorothy in Wonderland
A chance to experience the whole production experience from beginning to end! Over this rehearsal process, students will design, produce, and perform Dorothy in Wonderland by Brian D. Taylor. While working on the play, they will develop their acting, creative movement, and storytelling skills while also learning more about production elements such as set, props, costumes, and sound and lighting design. This class culminates in a performance for families and friends on the final day of the class. While previous performance experience is not required, this program is ideal for students who are looking for a fun and fast-paced theatrical adventure. Performance March 20th at 7 p.m.
This program meets Sundays (2pm to 4pm), Tuesday, & Thursdays (5pm to 7pm) in-person at Wheelock Family Theatre.
About the Show:
The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this fantastically fun romp, cleverly and carefully adapted from the works of L. Frank Baum and Lewis Carroll. Dorothy Gale has made her way to the end of the Yellow Brick Road, and the wonderful Wizard of Oz is just about to help her get back home to Kansas. But before she can hop into the wizard’s balloon, another whirlwind appears over the Emerald City, sweeping Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion away to Wonderland. Equipped with their new assets — brains, heart, and courage — Dorothy’s friends try to help her find her way home, meeting many other interesting characters along the way, including Alice, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and many more. They also must face a dangerous new foe — the Queen of Hearts! Dorothy and Alice team up to defeat the queen at croquet, but will that be enough to return Wonderland to normal? And how will they ever get back home to Kansas and to London?
This program meets Sundays (2pm to 4pm), Tuesday, & Thursdays (5pm to 7pm) in-person at Wheelock Family Theatre.
About the Show:
The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this fantastically fun romp, cleverly and carefully adapted from the works of L. Frank Baum and Lewis Carroll. Dorothy Gale has made her way to the end of the Yellow Brick Road, and the wonderful Wizard of Oz is just about to help her get back home to Kansas. But before she can hop into the wizard’s balloon, another whirlwind appears over the Emerald City, sweeping Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion away to Wonderland. Equipped with their new assets — brains, heart, and courage — Dorothy’s friends try to help her find her way home, meeting many other interesting characters along the way, including Alice, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and many more. They also must face a dangerous new foe — the Queen of Hearts! Dorothy and Alice team up to defeat the queen at croquet, but will that be enough to return Wonderland to normal? And how will they ever get back home to Kansas and to London?
Tuition: $750
Sunday, Tuesday & Thursdays (Jan 30 - March 20)
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton, Alyse Clinton
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton, Alyse Clinton
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.
Page to Stage: Mythmakers
Mythology has inspired playwrights and composers for centuries, as recently seen on Broadway in adaptations such as The Lightning Thief and Hadestown. Over the course of the week, students will work as playwrights, actors, and designers to create tales of mythic proportions. Students will learn first-hand what it takes to bring a story from page to stage. At the final class, family and friends are invited to join the group for a demonstration of learning as students share their adapted works.
Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00pm) are available for an additional fee.
All students participating in in-person programming must show proof of vaccination. Click here to review our current policies related to Covid-19.
Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00pm) are available for an additional fee.
All students participating in in-person programming must show proof of vaccination. Click here to review our current policies related to Covid-19.
Tuition: $450
Monday - Friday, Feb 21 - 25 9:00am - 3:30pm
April Vacation Programs
Spend your April vacation at WFT: There’s No Place Like Home!
February 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.
Reimagining Oz
Students in grades 4 to 5 will explore other musical theatre interpretations of the Wizard of Oz stories such as The Wiz and Wicked. Themes of self, friendship, and community emerge while students experience two different musical theatre styles. This program will provide an opportunity for students to learn how the concept, context, style, and perspective of an adaptation shift the storytelling experience. .Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00) are available for all programs. All students participating in in-person programming must show proof of vaccination. Click here to review our current policies related to Covid-19.
Tuition: $450
Monday - Friday, April 18 - 22 9:00am - 3:30pm
Semi-Private Coaching
Semi-Private Acting Coaching, Grades 4 to 8 (Virtual)
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
Tuesdays, Feb 1 - March 29, 4:30pm to 5:30pm (No Class 2/22)
Wednesdays, Feb 3 - March 30, 4:30pm to 5:30pm (No class 2/23)
Saturdays, Feb 5 - April 2, 10:30am to 11:30am (No class 2/26)
Summer Vacation Programs
Please note, all grades refer to placement in the fall of 2022.
Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00pm) are available for an additional fee.
Activate Your Voice
Through exercises and preliminary scene work, actors will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement to create clear characters on stage and apply this work to monologues and scenes. Students will also be introduced to a variety of dialects. Whether you are new to the stage or a seasoned pro, continued voice work is the foundation of any actor’s process.
A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 pm on the last day of class.
A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 pm on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, June 27 - Friday, July 1 9:00am - 3:30pm
Stage Combat: Famous Fictional Fights
Spotlights techniques for safely and realistically creating dangerous battles and heroic struggles. Emphasizes the combination of physical and mental discipline needed for memorable clashes onstage!
A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $360
Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 8 9:00am - 3:30pm
Play Production: Mythic Quests
A chance to experience the whole production experience from beginning to end! Students will design, produce, and perform a short, one-act play inspired by tales of mythic proportion! In this two-week program, students will spend part of each day developing and rehearsing the one-act while also building individual and ensemble acting skills. In the afternoons, students will receive instruction from visiting theatre design artists and try their hand at technical theatre elements such as prop-making, set, and costume design.
A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 15 (Two Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Production: Mary Poppins Jr.
Focuses on coordinating the instruments of voice and body to create dynamic musical characters. In this 3 week program, students will participate in classes on acting, dancing, singing, and puppetry each morning, while spending each afternoon applying those to the rehearsal of the musical Mary Poppins, Jr. This program is open to anyone interested in deepening their musical theatre experience. The program will culminate in a 7 p.m. Thursday evening performance the final week.
Based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and the Broadway musical that played for over 2,500 performances and received multiple Olivier and Tony Awards nominations, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect Broadway Junior musical!(from MTIshows.com)
Based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and the Broadway musical that played for over 2,500 performances and received multiple Olivier and Tony Awards nominations, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect Broadway Junior musical!(from MTIshows.com)
Tuition: $1120
Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 22 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre: Best of Broadway
An action-packed, one-week journey through scenes, songs, and dance numbers from Broadway’s most magical musicals of today and yesterday! With an emphasis on developing strong ensemble skills, this class engages all three of the student’s musical theatre skills: acting, singing, and dancing! A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, July 11 - Friday, July 15 9:00am - 3:30pm
Make 'em Laugh
What makes something funny? Learn about the structure of comedy and how comedic actors create characters, develop comic timing, and make big and bold choices--all designed to connect with an audience in a way that makes ‘em laugh! A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 22 9:00am - 3:30pm
Play Production: Wizarding Worlds
A chance to experience the whole production experience from beginning to end! Students will design, produce, and perform a short, spell-binding one-act play inspired by favorite fantasy tales. In this two-week program, students will spend part of each day developing and rehearsing the one-act while also building individual and ensemble acting skills. In the afternoons, students will receive instruction from visiting theatre design artists and try their hand at technical theatre elements such as prop-making, set, and costume design. A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $850
Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 29 (Two Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre: Hollywood Blockbusters
An action-packed, one-week journey through scenes, songs, and dance numbers from favorite movie musicals of today and yesterday! With an emphasis on developing strong ensemble skills, this class engages all three of the student’s musical theatre skills: acting, singing, and dancing! A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, July 25 - Friday, July 29 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Production: Mary Poppins Jr.
Focuses on coordinating the instruments of voice and body to create dynamic musical characters. In this 3 week program, students will participate in classes on acting, dancing, singing, and puppetry each morning, while spending each afternoon applying those to the rehearsal of the musical Shrek, Jr.. This program is open to anyone interested in deepening their musical theatre experience. The program will culminate in a 7 p.m.Thursday evening performance the final week.
About the show: Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way. (From MTIshows.com)
About the show: Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way. (From MTIshows.com)
Tuition: $1200
MOnday, July 25 - Friday, August 12 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Playwriting
Creating Five Minute Plays. A concise introduction to the playwriting process. Students will explore the most effective way to tell stories through exploration of the basic elements of drama (action, character, conflict, dialogue). Students will build on initial ideas through improvisation, develop short scripts, then produce and perform their original works. A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5 9:00am - 3:30pm
Making a Scene: Devising, Directing & Acting
Students will put their acting skills to work as they develop and rehearse short scenes with fellow classmates. Understanding the meaning and given circumstances of a scene, as well as their character’s objective, will be emphasized. Students will collaboratively create original work. Learning how to both give and take direction will be an important part of the work, as well. A final presentation for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $450
Monday, August 8 - Friday, August 12 9:00am - 3:30pm
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!
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!
Tuition: $450
Monday, August 15 - Friday, August 19 9:00am - 3:30pm
Masterclasses
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