Students will work with artist-educators on scenes from classic folk and fairy tales for a presentation on the final day of class. This workshop, designed specifically for young actors, offers students exposure to the discipline and techniques of theatre in a fun creative environment using an approach which combines music, movement and drama.

Students will work with artist-educators in the preparation of scenes from age-appropriate scripts including Shakespeare's stories for a presentation on the final day of class. This workshop, designed specifically for developing actors, offers students exposure to the discipline and techniques of theatre in a creative environment using an approach which combines music, movement and drama.

Children explore the arts through music, movement, visual arts and dramatic play, fostering creativity and imagination. Each class session focuses on a different theme such as shapes, animals, the body and more. Multisensory play promotes a child's development of social and motor skills, and strengthens the bond between caregiver and child.

Lifelong living skills: Increases focus and concentration learning to listen and work in a group: expresses mood through vocal and physical exploration. Final class sharing.

Students will focus on fundamentals of creative drama while exploring classic stories, discovering new ones and creating original stories as they explore dramatic play, music, movement and visual art.

Lifelong living skills: Builds pose and motivation and confidence in a group- discovers patterns of characterization through improvisation and memorization: begins to set goals for self and acquires greater sensitivity to and respect for others: teamwork, self-confidence, active listening. Final class demonstration.

Learn basic acting skills while re-creating fairy tales and folktales...working with theater games and activities- students will learn to express themselves, work within a group while developing skills in storytelling, character development and refining motor skills. For final class demonstration class will act out its original stories.

Bring to life characters from folk and fairytales- explore physical and vocal choices, motivation and environment while working within a group and developing skills in storytelling, character development and refining motor skills. For final class demonstration class will act out its own stories.

Learn the basics of musical theater and acting- workshop will provide an introduction to blocking and movement to familiar songs and scenes as students explore the characters and music from favorite musicals. For final class students will perform scenes and songs from selected musicals

Lifelong living skills: Makes informed choices through a growing appreciation of history and culture: performs with greater precision and growing emphasis on creative interpretation: teamwork, self-confidence, active listening. Final class demo.

Focus on fundamentals of acting through character development, improve and scene/monologue study. Basic theater terminology, blocking and motivation. For final class will showcase work from session.

A class for students who want to perform! Focus on fundamentals of acting-stage movement-character development, motivation while rehearsing a play specifically created for young performers. Students must be comfortable with the memorization of lines. Final class performance to invited audience

Grades 6-8 (5th graders by interview only) Dates: TBD

Lifelong living skills: Maintains freedom of expression and exercises the imagination while developing a sense of personal identity-thinks outside the box, responds with creative problem solving and articulates feelings, thoughts and ideas: refines awareness of and employs good vocal and physical habits, expanding awareness of rhythm, tempo and pacing-responds to symbolism and imagery of script (teamwork, self-confidence, active listening)

Level One: students from Westport and Norwalk will participate in a 12-week acting/writing workshop. For the first 9 sessions each group will meet separately with teaching artists to create 3-5 minute plays based on writing and theatre exercises. During the final three weeks both groups will meet on Mondays at Westport Country Playhouse. Each student from Westport will be paired with a student from Norwalk. Each pair will be assigned a director and two actors and begin the rehearsal process. Each rehearsed piece will be performed on our mainstage for an audience of family and friends.

Level Two: Students- selected by interview only- participate in intensive workshops in all aspects of theatrical creation – designed to enrich the foundation of the first year's work. These students will create a 10-15 minute piece which will be performed on our mainstage with professional actors and directors. The class is divided into three sections led by professional playwright (3 weeks), professional director (3 weeks) and three weeks of rehearsal with professional directors and actors. Final performance on our mainstage for invited audience of family and friends.

(Students who successfully completed the first two years will be given priority in the selection of that summer's Woodward Apprentice Program.)