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
Weekend Classes
8-week sessions on Saturday & Sundays starting January 28 & 29 running through April 2nd. There are no classes on the weekends of 2/18, 2/19 & 2/25, 2/26 due to February school vacation week.
Actor's Toolbox: SCENE STUDY
Online registration is closed. Please email wfted@bu.edu to see if space is still available in this program. Our Actor’s Toolbox series engages students in the creative process and supports their growth as actors, individually and in an ensemble. In Actor’s Toolbox: Scene Study, students 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. In the final class, students will share what they’ve learned with friends and family. We recommend students take this class if they’ve taken Actor’s Toolbox: Fundamentals of Acting or have previous experience. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class.
8-week sessions on Saturday & Sundays starting January 28 & 29 running through April 2nd. There are no classes on the weekends of 2/18, 2/19 & 2/25, 2/26 due to February school vacation week.
8-week sessions on Saturday & Sundays starting January 28 & 29 running through April 2nd. There are no classes on the weekends of 2/18, 2/19 & 2/25, 2/26 due to February school vacation week.
Tuition: $360
Saturdays (1/28 - 4/2) No classes 2/18 & 2/25 9:30am - 11:00am
Taught by: Danny Bolton
Taught by: Danny Bolton
Sundays (1/29 - 4/3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 9:30am - 11:00am
Taught by: Dev Luthra
Taught by: Dev Luthra
Musical Theatre Revue: Scenes into Song
Online registration is closed. Please email wfted@bu.edu to see if space is still available in this program. This class builds on the foundational skills of musical theatre as students apply those skills to the process of developing a musical revue of scenes and songs. Participants will create characters and expand theatrical storytelling techniques as they sing, dance and act. 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. We recommend this class for students who have taken Fundamentals of Musical Theatre or with previous musical theatre experience. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class.
Tuition: $360
Saturdays (Jan 28 - April 2) No classes 2/18 & 2/25 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Alisa Cassola
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Alisa Cassola
Sundays (Jan 29 - April 3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Taught by: Zachary D McConnell
Taught by: Zachary D McConnell
Lights, Camera, Action: Acting for the Camera
Online registration is closed. Please email wfted@bu.edu to see if space is still available in this program. An exploration of the technique needed to adapt the craft of acting to the screen. Students will learn how to create a natural, believable performance for film and television through on-camera exercises, monologues, and scenes. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class.
Tuition: $360
Saturdays (Jan 28 - March 26) No Class Feb 19 & 26) 11:00am - 12:30pm
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Sundays (Jan 29 - April 3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 11:00am - 12:30pm
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
February Vacation Programs
Monday to Friday, February 20 – 24. February vacation is all about Musical Theatre! Students will attend our mainstage production of Make Way for Ducklings. Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00pm) are available for all programs for an additional fee.
Jukebox Musicals of the 50's, 60's, & 70's (Grades 4 to 6)
This program is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email wfted@bu.edu An action-packed, one-week journey through scenes, song and dance numbers from some of the most well known Jukebox Musicals featuring popular music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s such as All Shook Up, Beautiful, Mama Mia and Motown. 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 demonstration for family and friends will take place on the final day of the program.
Tuition: $480
Monday, Feb 20 - Friday, Feb 24 9:00am to 3:30pm
Taught by: Zachary D McConnell, Stefani Wood
Taught by: Zachary D McConnell, Stefani Wood
April Vacation Programs
Monday to Friday, April 17 – 21. Our April Vacation week programs all invite students to adapt and perform original stories. Students will see our mainstage production of Bud, Not Buddy. Before-care (8 am to 9 am) and aftercare (3:30 pm to 5:00pm) are available for all programs for an additional fee.
Playwriting to Performance: Graphic Novels & Comic Books (Grades 4 to 5)
Like traditional novels, graphic novels have exciting and complex plots, characters and conflicts. The visual images of graphic novels inspire imaginative storytelling, with complicated plots, dynamic characters and complex conflicts. Over the course of the week, students will work as playwrights, actors, and designers to create engaging scenes based on graphic novels. Students will learn first-hand what it takes to bring a story from page to stage. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Jenna Lea Scott
Taught by: Jenna Lea Scott
Summer Programs
Our summer 2023 classes will be online and available for registration starting January 3, 2023.
Summer Programs
Please note, all grades refer to placement in the fall of 2023
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. You’ll have the option to purchase by day or for the entire week.
Under the Big Top
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.
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.
Tuition: $480
Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30 9:00am - 3:30pm
Puppet Academy: Dream it. Make it. Share it.
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.
Families are invited to join at 2:00 p.m. on the last afternoon for a sharing of the week’s learning.
Tuition: $288
Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, July 7 9:00am - 3:30pm
Playmakers: Pandora's Socks
In this program students will have 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! 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 performance demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
About the Show: Everyone knows the myth of Pandora: she opened up a box and released a ton of evils into the world. What was her motivation? Now we know: her feet were cold, and she was just looking for some socks! While she hunts for something to warm her feet, Pandora meets favorite characters from Greek mythology—including Midas, Icarus, Narcissus, Heracles, Prometheus, and the gods!
About the Show: Everyone knows the myth of Pandora: she opened up a box and released a ton of evils into the world. What was her motivation? Now we know: her feet were cold, and she was just looking for some socks! While she hunts for something to warm her feet, Pandora meets favorite characters from Greek mythology—including Midas, Icarus, Narcissus, Heracles, Prometheus, and the gods!
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 28 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Taught by: Stephanie Charlton
Stage Combat: On Camera Stunts
This program spotlights techniques for safely and realistically creating fights and falls from favorite action movies. Students will work to create short action sequences that will be filmed and shared on the final day of the program. This class emphasizes the combination of physical and mental discipline needed for memorable clashes on the big screen! A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Production: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.
This program is sold out. Email wfted@bu.edu to be added to a waitlist. This program 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 Willy Wonka. 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: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. (from MTIshows.com)
About the Show: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. (from MTIshows.com)
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 28 (Three Week Program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Alisa Cassola, Katherine Gustafson
Taught by: Zoe Nadal, Alisa Cassola, Katherine Gustafson
Making a Scene: Devising, Directing & Acting
In this program 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 demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Bootcamp
In this program students will develop musical theatre technique through an exploration of scenes, songs, and dance numbers from musicals, exposing students to the many different genres and styles of musicals. Utilizing the musical theatre skills of acting, singing, and dancing, this jam-packed week is perfect for the beginner and advanced musical theatre student alike. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Production: The Spongebob Musical Youth Edition
This program 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 Spongebob Musical. 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: The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!
About the Show: The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 18 (3-week program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Making a Scene: Devising, Directing, Acting
In this program 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 demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 9:00am - 3:30pm
Playmakers: Never Eat a Talking Lobster
In this program students will have 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 fairy tales that may or may not end happily ever after! 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 performance demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of class.
About the Show: When a narrator displeased with her part tries to ruin the happy endings of five Grimm's fairy tales, a talking lobster must save the day. A charming comedy full of enterprising animals and classic storytelling magic.
About the Show: When a narrator displeased with her part tries to ruin the happy endings of five Grimm's fairy tales, a talking lobster must save the day. A charming comedy full of enterprising animals and classic storytelling magic.
Tuition: $1290
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 18 (3-week program) 9:00am - 3:30pm
Musical Theatre Bootcamp
In this program students will develop musical theatre technique through an exploration of scenes, songs, and dance numbers from musicals, exposing students to the many different genres and styles of musicals. Utilizing the musical theatre skills of acting, singing, and dancing, this jam-packed week is perfect for the beginner and advanced musical theatre student alike. A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480 *Early Bird Tuition (1/3-1/31): $430*
Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11 9:00am - 3:30pm
Stage Combat: Famous Fictional Fights
Spotlights techniques for safely and realistically creating dangerous battles and heroic struggles. This class emphasizes the combination of physical and mental discipline needed for both armed and unarmed onstage fight sequences! A final demonstration for family and friends will take place at 2:30p.m. on the last day of class.
Tuition: $480
Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18 9:00am - 3:30pm
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