About the Grades 6 to 8 Programs
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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.
Weekend Classes
Actor’s Toolbox: Scenes!
Ticket sales for this class have now closed.
Our Actors’ Toolbox series provides opportunities for students to engage in the creative process and experience growth as actors, individually and in ensemble. In Actor’s Toolbox: Scenes! 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. Participants will develop and refine the fundamentals of performance (body, voice, mind, and imagination) by exploring technique, ensemble building, movement, and voice, while working to turn the text on the page into fully developed scenes.
Our Actors’ Toolbox series provides opportunities for students to engage in the creative process and experience growth as actors, individually and in ensemble. In Actor’s Toolbox: Scenes! 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. Participants will develop and refine the fundamentals of performance (body, voice, mind, and imagination) by exploring technique, ensemble building, movement, and voice, while working to turn the text on the page into fully developed scenes.
Tuition: $335
Saturdays: January 24 - March 21 *No class on Feb 14 or 21* 9:30am - 11:00am
Musical Theatre Revue: Back to School Broadway
Ticket sales for this class have now closed.
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. Drawing from well-known musicals set in schools, 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.
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. Drawing from well-known musicals set in schools, 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.
Tuition: $335
Saturdays: January 24 - March 21 *No class on Feb 14 or 21* 11:00am - 12:30pm
Actor’s Studio: Mastering the Monologue
Ticket sales for this class have now closed.
Mastering the monologue is one of the essential skills of the actor. How does one “take the stage” and tell the character’s story in those dramatic moments when the actor is alone with the audience? Building on foundational acting techniques, students will explore the nuances of both comedic and dramatic monologues.
Mastering the monologue is one of the essential skills of the actor. How does one “take the stage” and tell the character’s story in those dramatic moments when the actor is alone with the audience? Building on foundational acting techniques, students will explore the nuances of both comedic and dramatic monologues.
Tuition: $335
Saturdays: January 24 - March 21 *No class on Feb 14 or 21* 11:00am - 12:30pm
February Vacation Programs
Musical Mash-Up: To Oz and Home Again
During this week-long musical theatre experience, students will learn about three iconic musical adaptations of the classic story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: the MGM Movie musical The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked. Each version made its own mark on the world of Musical Theatre. In age groups, students will work on assigned scenes, songs, and dance numbers. By Friday, we will put it all together to tell a musical mash-up version of the story, which is sure to be wacky and wonderful.
Tuition: $525
February 16 - 20 9:00am - 3:30pm
April Vacation Programs
Page to Stage: T.E.R.R.I.F.I.C. Tales; Classics Reimagined
This class is currently full. CLICK HERE to be added to the program's waitlist. Please note, a member of our staff will be in touch if/when a space on the waitlist becomes available
Bring stories to life this school vacation! In this high-energy theatre arts program, students will explore acting, movement, and creative expression while working together to build characters, imagine worlds, and bring a story to life on stage.
Perfect for theatre lovers and curious beginners alike, this program emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and confidence-building while giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at how theatre is made. Families will be invited to a sharing on the final day to celebrate the students’ work.
Students will watch a performance of Charlotte’s Web and enjoy learning how this classic tale is brought off the page and onto Wheelock Family Theatre’s stage! Please note, students will be divided into grade-level small groups for the week.
Bring stories to life this school vacation! In this high-energy theatre arts program, students will explore acting, movement, and creative expression while working together to build characters, imagine worlds, and bring a story to life on stage.
Perfect for theatre lovers and curious beginners alike, this program emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and confidence-building while giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at how theatre is made. Families will be invited to a sharing on the final day to celebrate the students’ work.
Students will watch a performance of Charlotte’s Web and enjoy learning how this classic tale is brought off the page and onto Wheelock Family Theatre’s stage! Please note, students will be divided into grade-level small groups for the week.
Tuition: $525
April 20 - April 24 9:00am - 3:30pm
Summer Programs
Under the Big Top Grades 5 to 6
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! Sharing for Family and Friends: Friday, June 26 @ 2 pm
Tuition: $525
Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26 9:00am - 3:30pm
Theatre Design & Tech Intensive - 3 weeks!
Bring a show to life from concept to execution. This program is 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 the Musical Theatre Production of Honk, JR. Work will be shared at the performance of the production on Thursday, July 16th
Tuition: 1575
Monday, June 29 - Friday, July 17 10:30am - 5:00pm
Broadway Song & Dance - 2 weeks!
Creating the Triple Threat! 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 two-week exploration of Musical Theatre is perfect for beginner and advanced musical theatre students alike. There will be a final sharing on Friday, August 7th at 2:30pm on the Wheelock Family Theatre Mainstage.
Tuition: 1050
Monday, July 27 - Friday, August 7 9:00am - 3:30pm
Making a Musical: Playwriting + Songwriting + Performance - 2 weeks!
Create a musical from start to stage! Students will write, compose, and perform their own songs and scenes in this exciting two-week theatre experience. Students will learn the building blocks of musical theatre as they develop skills in playwriting, songwriting, and performance, culminating in an original musical showcase that highlights their creativity and teamwork. There will be a final sharing on Friday, August 7th.
Tuition: 1050
Monday, July 27 - Friday, August 7 9:00am - 3:30pm
Theatre Design and Tech Intensive - 3 weeks!
This class is currently full. CLICK HERE to be added to the program's waitlist. Please note, a member of our staff will be in touch if/when a space on the waitlist becomes available
Bring a show to life from concept to execution. This program is 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 the Musical Theatre Production of Madagascar- A Musical Adventure, JR. Work will be shared at the performance of the production on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00pm.
Bring a show to life from concept to execution. This program is 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 the Musical Theatre Production of Madagascar- A Musical Adventure, JR. Work will be shared at the performance of the production on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00pm.
Tuition: 1575
Monday, July 27 - Friday, August 14 10:30am - 5:00pm
All Shook Up Musical Theatre Intensive - 3 weeks!
Our newest advanced theatre experience bridges the worlds of acting, singing, & dance. This program is designed for teens in high school with prior musical theatre training and performance experience who are committed to deepening their skills as actors, singers, and dancers. Through voice, dance, and character work, students will bring the musical production to life while also deepening their knowledge and understanding of their craft. The performance will be on Thursday, August 13th at 7:30pm at The Booth Theatre at Boston University. No need to audition - register now!
About the Musical:
ALL SHOOK UP is a hilarious and heartfelt musical, loosely based on Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT. It’s 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets. Featuring mega hits from the beloved Elvis® catalogue, this musical fantasy will have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
About the Musical:
ALL SHOOK UP is a hilarious and heartfelt musical, loosely based on Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT. It’s 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets. Featuring mega hits from the beloved Elvis® catalogue, this musical fantasy will have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
Tuition: 1575
Monday, July 27 - Friday, August 14 10:30am - 5:00pm
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