Skip to: site menu | section menu | main content
Northern Stage - Classes
Northern Stage Theater Arts Education Program
We’re delighted to introduce a new world of theater for young people at Northern Stage! To better serve the families of the Upper Valley, Northern Stage has developed an entirely new Theater Arts Education Program. We’ve placed new emphasis on scope and sequence, with a more natural progression from our experiential classes to our technique and performance classes, and finally to our most advanced group, the Ensemble. Whether you or your child wants to dip a toe in the exciting world of theater or pursue professional training, we have a class that’s just right for you!
Click here for spring education program information.
Adult Acting Class with famed L.A. Acting Coach Richard Waterhouse!
ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER CLASSES!
Northern Stage Education
Summer Programs
- Class days: All summer classes meet Monday through Friday on the indicated dates.
- Extended hours available: As a convenience to parents, we offer extended care hours for these programs, allowing you to drop off as early as 8:00 a.m. and pick up as late as 6:00 p.m. Weekly fees: $35 for early drop-ff and $50 for late pick-up.
- Final performance: On the last day of classes, family and friends are invited to an “informance” (informal performance), in which students can share some of the new skills they have developed over the week. Consult our Web site for a complete daily curriculum for each program.
SHAKESPEAREAN WILD - High School Intensive - Merchant of Venice
Ages: Students entering grades 9-12 grades and 2008 graduates ($600)
August 4 – 15, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Taught by Heidi Fagan
For the serious high school thespian, what better way to advance your acting skills than with the Upper Valley’s own professional Equity theater company? Focusing on one of Shakespeare’s plays, students will work in depth to bring new relevance and understanding to the classic. This class works at an accelerated pace but still finds time for lots of one-on-one coaching and individual attention. This is one of our most popular programs, and early registration is highly recommended!
JUMP, JIVE, & JAZZ (Advanced)
Ages 10 – 18 ($450)
June 23–July 3, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This class offers serious young dancers the chance to learn some new moves and further perfect their dancing skills under the tutelage of noted Broadway professional dancers. This fast-paced class covers a variety of styles, from jazz and modern to hip-hop and contemporary musical theater.
Pre-requisite: Intermediate-level dance skill. Call for details.
JUMP, JIVE, & JAZZ (Beginner)
Ages 7 - 14 ($300)
Aug. 4–8, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This class is the perfect place for aspiring young dancers to get their feet wet and begin to learn important dance skills at an introductory level, under the tutelage of noted Broadway professional dancers. No previous experience is required; just the desire to learn and have a lot of fun doing it! This supportive and fun class covers a variety of styles, from jazz and modern to hip-hop and contemporary musical theater.
CREATIVE PLAYERS
Ages 4 – 6 ($145)
Playing theater games is a great way to meet friends, to gain self-confidence, to focus and direct energies and imaginations, and to have fun. Activities will encourage students to use their voices, minds and bodies to create and perform original stories as well as improvise from favorite storybooks with help from the items in the “Traveling Theater Trunk.” Each day integrates creative dramatic play with arts and crafts, movement/dance and music. Each week of this program is different, so a child can take just one or all five. Parents are welcome at the last class to join in the creative process!
Session A: July 7–11, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Session B: July 14–18, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Session C: July 21–25, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Session D: July 28–Aug. 1, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Session E: Aug. 4–8, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
THEATER A – Z
Ages 9 – 15 ($900)
July 7 – Aug. 1, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
All great theater starts with an empty space and a great idea, and that’s exactly where the students for this program will begin. Four weeks later, they’ll have a complete play that they will have produced from scratch. This class covers everything involved in getting a piece of theater from page to stage: playwriting, acting, costume design, lighting design, set design, stagecraft, stage management, marketing, singing, dancing, make-up . . . basically everything from A to Z! The final product will be presented on our stage at the Briggs Opera House in a fully mounted production. Young people in this program will come away with new skills, new friends, and a whole new appreciation for theater!
THEATER ALIVE!
Ages 7-14 ($450)
Session A: July 7-18, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Session B: July 21–Aug. 1, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Theatre Alive! gives younger students the chance to expand their creativity while exploring the many artistic elements of presenting theater. Students will spend their days creating their own play on a topic of their own choosing, then producing and acting in their piece—complete with musical number—which they will present the final afternoon of class. The curriculum covers everything from acting, singing and dancing to technical theater, circus skills and stage make-up. This class is so much fun, your child will never realize how much he or she is learning!
NEXT STOP: BROADWAY
Ages 7 – 14 ($500)
July 7–18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
If your child loves to sing and dance, then this is the class! Students work intensely each day in musical theater—dancing, singing and acting—working to perfect the skills they need to be true “triple threats.” Taught by experienced Broadway professionals, students will work on an interesting and challenging assortment of classic and contemporary musical numbers which they will present on the final afternoon of class. Students will come away with a deeper sense of how the musical-theater actor prepares for a role.
PERFECTING AUDITION SKILLS
Ages 10 – 18 ($165)
July 7–11, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
In this class, students will work on what may be an actor’s most essential skill—learning how to present a strong audition! All participants will complete the intensive with a well rehearsed and polished audition-ready monologue that is appropriate to their age and type. This class is ideal for the teen actor preparing to audition for college acting programs, the younger actor wanting to be ready to audition for the Northern Stage Ensemble in the fall, or any young performer wanting to be well prepared for acting opportunities available in the Upper Valley, Boston or even New York. A portion of this class will focus on the audition process at the professional level.
LEARNING TO DIRECT
Ages 10 – 18 ($165)
July 14–18, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This class will focus on the work that goes into directing a piece of theater, including script and character analysis, staging and blocking, understanding the “spine” of a show and how it affects character motivations, and directing styles. Each student will have the opportunity to direct their peers in a piece, in addition to acting in each other’s scenes. This class will prove invaluable to any young actor wishing to better understand how a play comes together.
BROADWAY BOUND
Ages 10 – 18 ($500)
July 21 – Aug. 1, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Recommended for those with some previous training in singing, dancing or acting, this fast-paced class will cover a lot of ground while providing lots of one-on-one, hands-on coaching. Professional Broadway performers will bring a wealth of real-life experience to share with their students. This class is highly recommended for motivated, focused young musical theater performers.
HOLLYWOOD IN VT
Ages 13 – 18 ($350)
July 21–25, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Our very popular film class for aspiring young Spielbergs and Jacksons is back! Write your own original screenplay and then produce it, with a special screening on the last day of class. Led by a professional guest artist, students will learn how to break down a scene, block, rehearse and shoot on location, experiencing the demands of filmmaking firsthand. Try acting, directing, camera operation, editing and more. If you've ever dreamed of winning an Oscar, this could be the first step towards the goal!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTING!
Ages 10–18 ($350)
July 28–Aug. 1, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
For the first time, we bring together the skills of our local young filmmakers and the talents of our young actors in a new program. Acting students will have the chance to develop their on-camera acting skills, working on commercial and dramatic techniques. Filmmakers will have the chance to work with trained actors on their projects and better hone their directing abilities. We expect this new and innovative pairing to be as successful and popular as . . . peanut butter and chocolate! Films will be screened to the public on the last day of class.
Spring session: March 17-April 26, 2008
(Adult classes run two additional weeks.)
Adult Acting Class with famed L.A. Acting Coach Richard Waterhouse!
About our classes
Northern Stage now has three levels of adventure for the theater lover! Feel free to call us to find out which is best for your child!
Experiential Classes: Introduce your child to the world of theater through these fun offerings that encourage self-confidence and individual creativity while fostering strong group interaction skills. We recommend that children, especially those under 10, take at least one experiential class before registering for a technique class.
Technique Classes: This next step teaches specific acting skills through theater games, vocal and physical expression, monologues and short scenes. Perfect for the youngster who wants to learn about acting from the inside out!
Performance Classes: Once a student masters the basics of technique, it’s time to put it all together! Students will collaborate to develop a theater performance for family and friends!
The Ensemble
The Ensemble is a select group of 18 students, ages 8-18, who learn about all aspects of theater—from acting and directing to lighting, costumes, set design and theater administration!
Members study with working theater professionals and may have an opportunity to perform in Family Theater productions here and throughout New England!
This is a FREE program, but you must audition! Call us or check our Web site for information!
Past Ensemble members trained by Jody Davidson in other cities include Lisa Mandel (Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, National Tour of Mamma Mia), Joey Slotnick (Nip/Tuck, Boston Public) and Adam Wylie (Picket Fences, Seinfeld, Broadway’s Into the Woods).
Jody Davidson, Director of Education
Jody Davidson has the unique distinction of being the only person to ever found and lead three separate companies each named “Best New Children’s Theatre in the United States.” She has been featured in PEOPLE magazine for her work as a theater educator, and she is a published playwright and author. Most recently she was employed by Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago, one of the foremost regional theaters in the Midwest. Throughout her career, Ms. Davidson has taught acting and creative drama to more than 50,000 individuals, from pre-school to college age.
Experiential Classes
Creativity Crew
Ages 4-5
Saturdays, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Limited to 8 students. ($80)
It’s a pretty exciting world out there, and the Creativity Crew will explore it all using their voices, bodies and, most importantly, their wild and wonderful imaginations. From role-playing jobs in the community to make-believing themselves on trips to faraway places, to becoming mythical creatures, the Creativity Crew imaginations will grow almost as quickly as they do. Parents are welcome at the last class to join in the creative process!
Fantastical Friends
Ages 6-7
Mondays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Limited to 10 students. ($110)
Playing theater games is a great way to meet friends, gain self-confidence, focus energies and imaginations, and have fun! Activities will encourage students to use their voices, minds and bodies to create and perform original stories. Students will also improvise from fantastic scenarios with help from the items in the “Tremendous Traveling Theater Trunk.” Parents are welcome at the last class to join in the creative process!
Imaginators
Ages 8-10
Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Limited to 10 students. ($140)
Through the magic of imagination, the Imaginators will travel to strange and wonderful worlds and to exciting adventures in the past and future. Using the actor’s tools of voice, mind and body, supported by a variety of props and costume pieces, students will role-play tales from beloved books and create exciting stories of their own. Parents are welcome at the last class to join in the creative process!
Play Builders
Ages 11-13
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Limited to 10 students. ($140)
Working with the actors’ tools of voice, mind and body, the Play Builders will not only engage in theater games and acting exercises, but will actually build their own play through improvisation and directed writing. This original work may come from a variety of sources – poetry, mythology, current events, popular or classic literature, or even from the imaginations of the students. Over the 8 weeks of class, the group will develop their piece, presenting a staged reading for family and friends at the final class. Recommended for young people who have participated in our Project Playwright program, but previous experience is not required.
Technique Classes
Acting Technique: Monologue
Ages 8-12
Mondays, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Limited to 8 students. ($160)
Ages 13-18
Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Limited to 8 students. ($160)
An aspiring actor must first learn the skills required to bring a character to life. Using age-appropriate materials, students will be taught how to warm-up their bodies and voices, determine and sustain their characters’ objectives, and make conscious physical and vocal character decisions maintaining naturalism. Young actors will learn how to take blocking and direction. Each student will develop an appropriate monologue suitable for auditioning. At the end of each session, students will perform their monologues for an audience of family and friends.
Acting Technique: Scene Study
Ages 8-12
Fridays, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Limited to 12 students. ($200)
Ages 13-18
Mondays, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Limited to 12 students. ($200)
Using the skills they have developed in the Monologue class, students will begin to learn the techniques for sustaining a character and specific objectives while working on stage with other performers. Students will learn how to be active listeners in the scene, receptive and reacting to what their fellow performers bring to the performance. Finally, they will continue to develop their vocal and physical skills, creating characters that are natural and believable. Elements of style and period will be introduced. At the end of each session, students will perform their scenes for an audience of family and friends.
Performance Class
Ages 9-14
Saturdays, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Limited to 16 students. ($225.00)
Explore the mechanics of how a play is analyzed and developed in this class for more advanced students. Working with an age-appropriate script, students will learn how to break down the text to best understand and “flesh out” characters. They will discuss the playwright’s intentions within the arc of the script. Finally, they will participate in producing an abridged version of the script: casting, rehearsing, memorizing lines, blocking, and character development. At the end of the session, students will perform their production for an audience of family and friends.
(Open only to students who have previously taken an Advanced level Acting class or camp with Northern Stage, or by permission of instructor)
Adult Acting
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Limited to 10 students. ($200)
Have you always thought you’d like to try acting but never had the nerve? Are you a community theater performer eager to enhance your existing skills? Or are you ready to make the move to the Big Apple and want to arrive with your skills sharp and ready for the professional acting world? With lots of individual attention in a nurturing environment, this class can meet all these needs. We will do various warm-ups, acting exercise and theater games, as well as monologue and scene work where appropriate. Each actor will leave with a monologue appropriate for auditioning. At the end of each session, students will perform their monologues and/or scenes for an audience of family and friends.
(Class dates: Jan. 8-Feb. 26 and March 18-May 6 - Note: dates updated on Feb. 15)
FROM AUDIENCE TO ACTOR: A simple, proactive and fun approach to the art of acting
Featuring acclaimed L.A. actor, director and teacher Richard Waterhouse
Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Limited to 10 students. Cost: $275
March 20-May 8 (Note: dates updated on Feb. 19)
(Advanced level high school juniors and seniors by permission of instructor)
Each week, students will focus on an exercise to develop a specific acting tool. By the end of the class, you will have an “acting toolbox” full of the foundational tools of acting.
Learning occurs in a safe and nurturing environment. Emphasis is placed on action and affecting the world around you. 
Richard Waterhouse
A highly sought-after acting teacher and coach, Richard acted professionally as a member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA for 15 years before turning to teaching. Richard taught for five years at the acclaimed Cameron Thor Studio before leaving to open his own studio in 2003. He directed several short films and theater productions before directing his first feature film, Young, Single and Angry, currently in postproduction. Richard privately coaches actors Dan Butler (Frasier), Dagney Kerr (Desperate Housewives), Laurel Green (According to Jim) and Tava Smiley (HGTV) for film and television projects. Richard appears in the upcoming mockumentary Karl Rove, I Love You.
Spring Vacation
April 14-18, 2008
SHAKESPEAREAN WILD
Ages 12-18 ($350)
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
For the young actor, what better way to advance your acting skills than with the Upper Valley’s own professional Equity theatre company? Focusing on one of Shakespeare’s plays, students will work in depth to bring new relevance and understanding to the classic. This class works at an accelerated pace but still finds time for lots of one-on-one coaching and individual attention. This is one of our most popular programs, and early registration is highly recommended!
HOLLYWOOD IN VT
Ages 13–18 ($350)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Our very popular film class for aspiring young Spielbergs and Jacksons is back! Write your own original screenplay and then produce it, with a special screening on the last day of class. Led by a professional guest artist, students will learn how to break down a scene, block, rehearse and shoot on location, experiencing the demands of filmmaking firsthand. Try acting, directing, camera operation, editing and more. If you've ever dreamed of winning an Oscar, this could be the first step towards the goal!
ALL PLAY TITLES ARE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.