If you want to make acting your career, get the lead in your high school show, or just learn more about theater, then Black Box Studios’ Teen Workshops will give you the tools you need to improve as a performer or in your work behind the scenes.
Performance of ‘Curious Savage’ by Black Box Studios’ Teen Drama Workshop.
Teen acting classes are taught using an improv-based method that Black Box’s founders developed during their years working in professional theater in New York. Teachers start by working with students on the fundamentals of acting and musical theater, such as voice, movement, character development, script analysis, and song interpretation.
Students then put these skills into action as they perform scenes, songs, and productions of plays and musicals with their fellow classmates. Most courses are performance-based and culminate in an end-of-semester production at BBS’ Teaneck, New Jersey location that is fully staged and open to family, friends, and the community. (Productions are chosen based on the compostion of the class; recent shows include Little Shop of Horrors, Zombie Prom, The Curious Savage, and Approaching Zanzibar.)
Whatever your experience level or future goals, Black Box’s Teen Programs will help you gain experience onstage and offstage, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Musical Theater Workshops incorporate dancing.
Courses for Spring 2012
Returning workshops run 16-18 weeks till mid-June. New workshops run 12-14 weeks.
Sundays starting February 12th
INTERGENERATIONAL THEATER WORKSHOP
Ages 7-Adult / 4-6PM / Matt Okin, Danny Hoffman, and Giselle D’Souza
A collaborative theater experience for a mixed-age group of kids, teens, and adults. Open to family members or individuals. A Broadway-style musical is chosen, cast, designed, rehearsed, and performed at the end of the semester in at least two fully-staged, public productions.
Teen production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ delights audiences of family, friends and the community.
Tuesdays starting February 14
PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP – TWEENS NEW DAY!
6th & 7th Graders / 5:30-7PM / Matt Okin, Danny Hoffman, and Giselle D’Souza
This class is open to young musical theater performers with experience, by permission of the instructors, or by audition. Students will spend the semester delving deeper into musical theater acting, singing, and dancing, and then use these skills to perform a fully-staged show. The Professional Musical Theater Workshop for Tweens offers participants the chance to gain performance experience and build the skills they need to become better actors.*
PROFESSIONAL DRAMA WORKSHOP FOR KIDS & TEENS
6th-12th Graders / 7-9:30PM / Matt Okin & Giselle D’Souza
This class is open to kids and teenagers with experience, by permission of the instructors, or by audition. Students will work with our professional teaching artists on advanced acting techniques and then apply these skills as they work on a full-length, cutting-edge play. With a dual-focus on developing technique and performing, the Professional Drama Workshop offers participants the chance to gain practical experience while learning more about the craft. The class culminates with at least two fully-staged performances open to family, friends, and the community. *
On stage at the JCT, teens from a Drama Workshop bow to warm applause.
Wednesdays starting February 15
INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE – NEW!
Ages 12-18 / 7:30-9:30PM / Rebecca Lopkin
Actors at all levels learn how to apply their skills to interpreting and performing the classic works of William Shakespeare, using select scenes and soliloquies from comedies, histories, and tragedies. A live performance at the end of the session showcases the work.
THEATER DANCE – NEW!
6th-8th Graders / 6:30-7:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
9th-12th Graders / 8-9:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
Students learn how Broadway professionals use dance to interpret songs from great musicals past and present, and then apply that knowledge to their hearts’ (and feet’s) content. 9th-12th Grade group requires permission of instructor to enroll. End-of-session public performances for all groups. Participation requires appropriate clothing and shoes (details upon enrollment).
Thursdays starting February 16th
PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP – TEENS (Audition Only)
8th-12th Graders / 7:00-9:30PM / Matt Okin, Giselle D’Souza, and Danny Hoffman
This class is open to teenage musical theater performers with experience, by audition. Students will spend the semester working on acting, singing, and dancing with our professional teaching artists, and then use what they’ve learned to perform a full-length musical. The Professional Musical Theater Workshop for Teens offers participants the chance to gain performance experience while also building a strong foundation in the many disciplines of musical theater. At the end of the semester, students will mount three, fully-staged performances open to family, friends, and the community. *
Teens rock it out in "Zombie Prom"
Mondays starting February 13th
THE ART OF THE ACTOR – NEW!
Ages 16-Adult / 8-9:30PM / Danny Hoffman
An on-your-feet approach to understanding and applying acting techniques. Delve into theories as well as practices and exercises used by professional performers who follow the popular “Stanislavsky System” of acting. Some topics include choosing actions, understanding circumstances, and becoming characters. A workshop without the pressure of a full performance.
Tuesdays starting February 14th
SINGING FOR ACTORS – NEW!
Ages 15-Adult / 7-8:30PM / Mea Moon
A group vocal workshop for students interested in expanding the possibilities of their voices in both singing and speech on stage. Work on stamina, projection, volume control and listening, with a master teacher whose formers students have appeared on Broadway and National Tours. A workshop without the pressure of a full performance.
Wednesdays starting February 15th
IMPROV COMEDY – NEW!
Ages 15-Adult / 8-9:30PM / Matt Okin
For those who think they have a funny bone, are looking to break out of their shells, or are simply looking to try something new, this latest offering from BBS teaches the fundamentals of improvisational comedy (yes, there are dos and don’ts in improv) and allows students to let loose in a fun and non-judgmental environment. The semester ends with a public performance with audience suggestions and input. Note: This workshop may run 10 weeks.
Thursdays starting February 16th
MASTER CLASS IN MOVEMENT AND DANCE – NEW!
Ages 16-Adult / 8-9:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
Enhance your acting and singing performances through purposeful movement on stage. Students will learn a variety of dance styles and movement techniques to help use their bodies more effectively. The basics of yoga, jazz, tap, ballet, musical theater and contemporary dance will be covered. A workshop without the pressure of a full performance.
PRIVATE COACHING
More information here.
General Info, Registration and Payment
Newcomers to Black Box Studios who are interested in a course, but unsure if it’s right for them, can attend the first class for free! Contact us for more info.
Session dates are subject to change in rare instances. Instructors are also subject to change, and most classes require a minimum of 6 students to run. Full refunds are issued if a class is canceled or rescheduled.
Returning workshops are $375; new workshops are $300; * Pro workshops are an extra $50 to cover special materials. Save $50 on a new class when payment is made by December 31st.
Full JCT members get a 50% discount; associate members get a 25% discount. Work-study opportunities and scholarship assistance are available; contact us for details.
– Get the form to register and/or pay by mail or in person- .pdf
Improv session during Black Box Studios’ Teen Theater Workshop.