Create. Explore. Imagine.
When school is out, the creativity continues! Wheelock Family Theatre’s Vacation Week Programs transform February and April school breaks into immersive theatre experiences where young artists build confidence, make new friends, and discover the joy of storytelling.
Designed for students of all experience levels, each week combines acting, movement, music, design, and imaginative play in a welcoming environment led by our professional teaching artists.
Why Vacation Week?
Vacation Week Programs offer students the chance to immerse themselves in theatre over five exciting days of creative exploration. Through process-based learning, students collaborate, problem-solve, and bring stories to life while developing communication, confidence, and teamwork.
Whether inspired by beloved books, Broadway musicals, or original ideas, every program encourages young artists to take creative risks, celebrate their unique voices, and discover the power of working together.
February Vacation | Inspired by the Stories on Our Stage
Each February Vacation program is inspired by Wheelock Family Theatre’s winter mainstage production, giving students the opportunity to explore the themes, characters, and creative process behind the show. Through acting, movement, music, and hands-on theatre activities, young artists experience how a story comes to life both onstage and in the classroom.
Program registration opens in early November.
April Vacation | Bringing the Spring Production to Life
Our April Vacation programs continue the adventure by drawing inspiration from Wheelock Family Theatre’s spring production. Students dive deeper into the worlds and stories they experience on our stage while developing their own creativity through theatre games, collaborative storytelling, and artistic exploration.
Program registration opens in early November.
Program Information
- Full-Day Programs | Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 3:30pm
- Grouped by Grade | Age-appropriate instruction and collaboration
- Extended Care Available | Before- and after-care options are offered for added flexibility
What Makes Wheelock Different?
Process-Based Learning
Students learn through exploration, collaboration, and creative discovery—not pressure to perform.
Professional Teaching Artists
Our experienced artists create joyful, engaging classrooms where every student is encouraged to grow.
Inclusive Community
Programs are designed to welcome students of all experience levels in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Theatre Should be Accessible for Every Family
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of theatre. Tuition assistance is available to help make our Vacation Week Programs accessible to families across our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! Our Vacation Week Programs are designed for both first-time participants and returning students.
Each program concludes with an informal family sharing that celebrates students’ creativity, collaboration, and learning throughout the week.
Comfortable clothing, a nut-free lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. Younger students may want to bring a quiet activity or a favorite stuffed friend for after lunch break. We’ll take care of the creativity!
Absolutely! We are committed to creating inclusive learning environments and encourage families to contact us to discuss accommodations and accessibility needs. Click here to learn more.
To view classes by grade, click below
Story Explorers: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This class is now sold out.
Story Explorers embark on a new adventure each week! Through creative movement, imagination, and hands-on art activities, students jump into the world of each story and set sail on this interactive theatre experience specially designed for our youngest students. This session explores stories by beloved author Eric Carle, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Tiny Seed, and more!
Stories on Stage: The Magic Treehouse
Inspired by the time-traveling, place-hopping adventures in the Magic Treehouse series, students will develop characters through improvisation, movement, and vocal exercises. As they travel to different settings through movement, tableau, and story drama, they will bring these adventurous stories to life. Pirates, Pyramids, Prehistoric Times? Who knows where or when this class will take you!
Sing & Dance a Story: Frozen!
Do you want to build a snowman? Come on out and play– and sing, and dance with us!
A taste of musical theatre for young movers and shakers! Students will sing and dance to favorite tunes from the musical Frozen, as they learn to “tell the story” of the song. Through music and movement exercises, theatre games, and improvisation, students will dance, sing, and act in musical numbers they help create!
Actor’s Toolbox: 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.
Musical Theatre Revue: Back to School Broadway
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.
Actor’s Toolbox: 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.
Musical Theatre Revue: Back to School Broadway
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.
Actor’s Studio: Mastering the Monologue
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.
