Education: Grades 4-5 – Wheelock Family Theatre

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

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.

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person |

Tuition: $360

Saturdays (1/28 - 4/2) No classes 2/18 & 2/25 9:30am - 11:00am

Sundays (1/29 - 4/3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 9:30am - 11:00am

Musical Theatre Revue: Scenes into Song

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.

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre |

Tuition: $360

Saturdays (Jan 28 - April 2) No classes 2/18 & 2/25 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Sundays (Jan 29 - April 3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Lights, Camera, Action: Acting for the Camera

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.

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade | Type(s): Acting, Acting for the Camera, In Person |

Tuition: $360

Saturdays (Jan 22 - March 26) No Class Feb 19 & 26) - 9:30am - 11:00am 11:00am - 12:30pm

Sundays (Jan 29 - April 3) No classes 2/19 & 2/26 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

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 8)

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.

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade | Type(s): In Person, Musical Theatre, Vacation Week |

Tuition: $480

Monday, Feb 20 - Friday, Feb 24 9:00am to 3:30pm

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 8)

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.

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade | Type(s): Acting, In Person, Playwriting, Vacation Week |

Tuition: $480

Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21 9:00am - 3:30pm