Black Box Studios’ Youth Programs offer a nurturing and educational environment for children who want to become involved in theater and the performing arts.
Pro Musical Theater Kids perform "Once Upon A Mattress"
Classes help students learn the fundamentals of performing, using an improv-based method that Black Box’s founders developed during their years working in professional theater in New York City. Children are introduced to the basics of acting, such as voice, movement, and character development, and then apply what they’ve learned by performing scenes and songs with their teachers and classmates.
Through these acting classes, students also learn skills vital to their futures outside of theater, such as collaboration, personal responsibility, and getting along with others.
All courses end with a live production that gives students the opportunity to perform scenes and songs for family, friends, and the community.
Black Box’s Youth Programs are a wonderful gateway to the world of performing arts for children of all ages, and provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the theater, classroom, and beyond.
Youngsters from the Pro Musical Workshop perform Oliver! at the JCT.
Courses for Spring 2012
Workshops run 16-18 weeks till mid-June.
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.
Each child in a Drama or Musical Workshop gets a chance to showcase his or her individual talents.
Tuesdays starting February 14
TRYING OUT THE STAGE
Ages 3-5/3:30-4:30/ Giselle D’Souza NEW!
Kids interested in performing – or those who might be still unsure but who are curious – experience a fun, low-pressure, introduction to theater and all it has to offer. Drama games, movement activities, and short songs allow the participants to both shine and gain confidence while also experiencing what it’s like to work in a group. An open house at the end of the semester will showcase all they’ve learned.
STARTING OUT ON STAGE
Ages 5-8 / 4:30-5:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
Students are introduced to the basics of performing, such as acting, improv, collaboration, and getting along with others. The group will then use these skills as they rehearse scenes and songs with other classmates. Perfect for children who have the desire or curiosity to perform, Starting Out introduces students to the many different facets of theater and ends with a performance of a short and humorous musical play for families, friends, and the community.
CONTINUING ON STAGE
Ages 6-9 / 5:30-6:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
Young “graduates” of Starting Out On Stage learn more about working together and musical theater while rehearsing an advanced short musical for public presentation.
PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP – TWEENS NEW DAY!
6th & 7th Graders / 5:30-7PM / Matt Okin, Mea Moon, 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 and 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. *
Kids especially love the improv sessions.
Wednesdays starting February 15th
THEATER DANCE – NEW!
2nd-5th Graders / 5-6PM / Giselle D’Souza
6th-8th Graders / 6:30-7:30PM / Giselle D’Souza
Kids 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. End-of-session public performances for all groups. Participation requires appropriate clothing and shoes (details upon enrollment).
Thursdays starting February 16th
MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP – KIDS
3rd-5th Graders / 5-6:30PM / Matt Okin, Danny Hoffman, and Giselle D’Souza
This class is open to young musical theater performers regardless of experience. Students will spend the semester learning the basics of musical theater, such as acting, singing, and dancing, and then use these skills to perform a show. The Musical Theater Workshop for Kids offers participants the chance to gain performance experience and build the skills needed to gain confidence, stage presence, and to become better actors.
A child’s joy and confidence from a performance last long after the show.
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
Kids have a blast during ‘Scenes and Songs from Annie.’