Summer Education 2024

welcome!

Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University (WFT@BU) engages youth of diverse ages, abilities, and identities in the art of theatre-making. Our team of professional educators and theatre artists provide a caring and welcoming learning environment where student voice and agency are at the core of program design. Students work together toward a common goal and, in so doing, develop a sense of belonging and confidence as they discover new things about the world of theatre and themselves. Our processfocused courses develop acting, design, and performance skills, while also developing essential life skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and empathy. A rich variety of week-long and multi-week theatre arts classes inspire students to pursue a passion or discover a new one.

What new passion will you discover this summer at Wheelock Family Theatre?

Jeri Hammond Director of Education

Under the Big Top: A High Flying Circus

Come one, Come all to the Greatest Show on Earth! We will kick-o our summer program with a rousing week-long exploration of the theatrical world of the circus. Professional Boston area circus artists will lead classes each day in circus skills such as clowning, juggling, tumbling, spinning plates, hula hoops, acrobatics, Chinese yo-yo, and more! In partnership with Cirque Us, students will learn the skill and storytelling involved in contemporary circus performance. All together, making for a three-ring circus of an experience!

72 Hour Plays

Let’s make a play! In these programs students will act as playwrights, actors, and designers as they work in an ensemble to create world premiere works for the stage! With limited time & resources, but unlimited imagination, students will put their creativity to the max as they develop and rehearse their plays, with a world premiere performance for families and friends on the final day!

72-Hour Playmakers

(Grades K-1 and 2-3)

On the first day, students will brainstorm the who, what, and world of their play, providing the base of their exploration as they work collaboratively to create one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences.

72-Hour Play Festival

(Grades 4-6 and 6-8)

On the first day, students will be divided into teams and given a list of required elements (a theme, lines of dialogue, props, etc) to inspire original 10-minute plays which they will write, rehearse and perform in just three days!

programs for grades k-1

Our 1 week programs for our youngest students introduce the building blocks of theater, visual arts, and creative play in a fun and supportive environment.

Treasure Trunk Theatre

Take an imaginative trip! Inspired by mystery objects found in the class treasure trunk, students will head o on a new adventure each day using movement, creative problem-solving, and imaginative play. An engaging theme charts the course for a fun-filled journey. The day will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement as well as hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. Themes this summer include, “Around the World” and “Out of this World”.

Music Movers

Get ready to move and groove! Students will make their own music exploring rhythm and music dynamics such as loud/soft, high/low and fast/slow. Through creative movement inspired by the week’s theme, students will explore di erent ways of moving in a celebration of self-expression. The day will be spent engaging in music-making and movement as well as hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. Themes this summer include, “Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie” and “Barnyard Dance”.

Story Explorers

A week of creative play inspired by the imagination of beloved stories! Students will work together and use their imaginations, bodies, and voices while exploring the imaginative world of favorite storybooks. The day will be spent engaging in creative drama and movement as well as hands-on visual arts projects connected to the theme of the week. Themes this summer include, “Once Upon a Book” and “Be You!”

programs for grades k-3

Our 3 week programs are designed for students to expand upon the building blocks of theater, allowing them to fully engage in a theme over multiple weeks.

wherecreativity takescenterstage

Adventures in Fairy Tale Land I & II

Happily Ever After? In this three-week interdisciplinary theatre arts program, students will bring the stories of their favorite fairy tale characters to life. Through story drama, students will use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to create big, bold characters such as giants and wicked witches, princes, and fairy godmothers. Through exploring the essential elements of fairy tales, students will collaboratively create an original fractured fairytale. Finally, artistic imaginations will come out to play as students design and create simple props, costumes, and scenery to complete their Once Upon a Time world.

Every kid should come to WFT! The teachers are kind, fun and awesome! We use our imaginations to create the most fantastic plays. It's the best place to learn!

programs for grades 1-3

Our 1 and 3 week programs o er students an exciting variety of opportunities to use their Actor’s Tools and create characters who tell stories through acting, singing, dancing, and design!

Characters Take the Stage

A fun and physical introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind, and imagination). Using fantastical tales as a jumping-o point to spark and support the creative process, the characters will fly o the page as students participate in movement exercises, story reenactments, theatre games, improvisation, role-playing, music, dance, and visual arts. Themes this summer include, “Tricksters & Treats” and “Mythmakers”.

Backstage Adventures

In this class, students will be introduced to some of the backstage secrets that result in onstage magic. Through hands on experiences students will explore the art of design and use acting, movement and music to bring their designs to life. Themes this summer include, “The World of Annie” and “The World of Finding Nemo”

Sing & Dance-a-Story

Inspired by the stories and music from their favorite musicals, students will learn to “sing a story” by exploring the various voices that can be produced by using the appropriate vocal technique. Students will connect the voice to posture, gesture, and full-body movement through improvisation to create vivid characters. They will “dance a story” by learning to use creative movement to bring a story to life. Themes this summer include, “Down the Rabbit Hole” and “Along the Yellow Brick Road”.

Mini Musical

Let’s put on a show! This program is a fast-paced intensive for young actors ready to take the stage. In three weeks, students will work together to perform a 30-minute version of Annie or Finding Nemo. While working on this musical, they will advance their acting, singing, and dancing skills while also learning more about production elements such as sets, props, costumes, sound and lighting design.

Session I: Annie KIDS

Annie KIDS features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Session II: Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS

wherediscovery takescenterstage

Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets o on an epic adventure across the ocean.

programs for grades 4-8

Our 1 and 3 week performance based programs for students in grades 4 to 8 are designed to challenge performers to take the next step in their training.

Making a Scene

The playwright's work is only the beginning, it’s an actor's job to bring their words to life! In this program, students will use scene work to create characters with depth and reveal motivations, obstacles, relationships, and more. Students will deepen their skills as actors, taking their skills to new levels as they work in an ensemble to convey complex stories to an audience.

Broadway Bootcamp

Creating the Triple Threat! In this program students will develop musical theatre technique through an exploration of scenes, songs, and dance numbers from musicals, exposing students to the many di erent genres and styles of musicals. Utilizing the musical theatre skills of acting, singing, and dancing, this jam-packed week is perfect for beginner and advanced musical theatre students alike.

Night at the Improv

Make it up as you go! In this program, students will learn to trust their instincts, make dynamic choices on the fly, and spontaneously create original characters and storylines. Students will explore the rules & techniques of short-form and long-form improv as they prepare to engage an audience in a laugh-filled “Night at the Improv.”

Musical Theatre Production

Take to the stage! This program focuses on coordinating the instruments of voice and body to create dynamic musical characters. In this 3-week program, students will advance their acting, singing, and dancing skills while also learning the importance of community and the role of the ensemble in a production. Students will apply these skills to the rehearsal of the musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. or Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. This program is open to anyone interested in deepening their musical theatre experience

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

wherecamaraderie takescenterstage

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's been seeking.

June 24-28 summer 2024 summer 2024

grades k-1

grades k-3 grades 1-3

July 1-3July 8-12July 15-19July 22-26Jul 29 - Aug 2August 5-9August 12-16

Treasure Trunk Theatre: Around the World (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

Story Explorers: Once Upon a Book (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

Adventures in Fairy Tale Land (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500

Characters Take the Stage: Tricksters & Treats (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Sing & Dance-a Story: Down the Rabbit Hole (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Mini Musical Theatre Production: Annie KIDS (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500

Music Movers: Pete the Cat & the Cool Cat Boogie (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

Treasure Trunk Theatre: Out of this World (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

Story Explorers: Be You! (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

More Adventures in Fairy Tale Land (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500

Backstage Adventures: The World of Annie (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Characters Take the Stage: Mythmakers (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Music Movers: Barnyard Dance (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

overture

June 24 through July 3

Sing & Dance-a Story: Along the Yellow Brick Road (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

Mini Musical Theatre Production: Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500

Backstage Adventures: The World of Disney's Finding Nemo (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $500

act one

July 8 through July 26

grades 6-8

grades 4-6 grades 8-12

all ages

Under the Big Top: A High Flying Circus in partnership with Cirque Us (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

all ages

72 Hour Playmaking & Play Festival (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $300

Making a Scene (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Broadway Bootcamp (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Broadway Bootcamp (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Night at the Improv (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Night at the Improv (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Making a Scene (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Broadway Bootcamp (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Night at the Improv (9am to 3:30pm)

act two

Making a Scene (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Broadway Bootcamp (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Night at the Improv (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

Tuition: $500 Making a Scene (9am to 3:30pm)

Tuition: $500

July 29 through August 16

grades 4-8 grades 6-12

Musical Theatre Production: Disney's Beauty & The Beast Jr. (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500. Evening performance on Thursday, July 25

Theatre Design Intensive I (12pm to 6:30pm) Tuition $1500

Previous experience suggested but not required

Theatre on Tour: Go, Dog, Go! (12pm to 6:30pm weeks 1 & 2, 9am-3:30pm week 3) Tuition: $1500

Shakespeare on Stage: Macbeth (12pm to 6:30pm) Tuition: $1500

Musical Theatre Production: Disney's The LIttle Mermaid Jr. (9am to 3:30pm) Tuition: $1500. Evening performance on Thursday, August 15

Theatre Design Intensive II (12pm to 6:30pm) Tuition $1500

Previous experience suggested but not required

Musical Theatre Intensive: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (12pm to 6:30pm) Tuition: $1500. Evening performance on Friday, August 16

Advance Performance Intensive (12pm to 6:30pm) Tuition: $1500

registration for summer 2024 classes opens January 2, 2024

All grades refer to the grade students are entering in fall 2024

programs for grades 6-12

These 3 week design and tech intensives provide students an opportunity to pursue (or discover) a passion for theatre design and technical theatre.

Theatre Design & Tech Intensive I & II

Bring a show to life from concept to execution. This program is a dynamic immersion in the theatre crafts that are vital to professional stage productions. This course balances theory with practical experience through the study of scenic, prop, costume, lighting, and sound design. Students will work with WFT’s professional technical sta during this three-week intensive, designing and building technical elements for the Musical Theatre Production show.

Session l: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.

Session ll: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.

Li le by li le, with each passing course at WFT and the support of the kind, talented instructors, our child has been growing—as a singer, dancer, actor, and person.

wherecrafttakescenterstage

At WFT, in the two sessions my son has a ended we have found a team of exceptional educators with huge hearts. I am so appreciative of the enthusiasm and joy [our son] expresses about his theater camp. No organization we’ve ever worked with has ever done this level of customized support for our family.

programs for grades 8-12

Our 3 week audition based programs provide opportunities for our oldest students to expand their repertoire and deepen their skills as theatrical storytellers. These programs will take place on Boston University’s Charles River Campus.

Shakespeare on Stage: Macbeth

AUDITION REQUIRED

Something wicked this way comes. This program invites serious acting students to sink their teeth into one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies as they bring an abridged one-act version of Macbeth to life. Students will decode the sometimes perplexing language of Shakespeare to find meaning, humor, and more behind the words. Students will delve into some of the Bard’s most famous scenes and characters, making connections with their own experiences as the “Scottish Play” comes to WFT this summer!

Theatre On Tour: Go, Dog, Go!

AUDITION REQUIRED

Let’s take this show on the road! This program gives experienced teen performers the opportunity to rehearse, tour, and perform a show for the most discerning of audiences, children! For the first two weeks, actors rehearse the play Go, Dog. Go! a fun and physical production then take the show on tour, performing for children and their families at The Boston Children’s Museum. This program will challenge experienced actors to create performances that not only entertain but educate the next generation of theatergoers. Students will learn firsthand what it takes to create a traveling theatre piece.

14

Advanced Performance Intensive

AUDITION REQUIRED

Our longest-running advanced acting experience is back for it’s 15th summer. This program is designed for teens in high school with prior training and performance experience who are committed to deepening their acting skills and knowledge of the craft. Through challenging exercises in vocal, movement, and character work and exploration of scenes from outstanding plays, students will experience the actor’s process in depth, culminating in an acting showcase on the final day of the program. Join the dozens of teens who have experienced and benefited from this intensive, many of whom have gone on to attend top acting and theatre programs around the country.

Musical Theatre Intensive

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

AUDITION REQUIRED

wherepassiontakescenterstage

Our newest advanced theatre experience bridges the worlds of acting, singing, & dance. This program is designed for teens in high school with prior musical theatre training and performance experience who are committed to deepening their skills as actors, singers, and dancers. Through voice, dance, and character work, students will bring the award-winning production to life while also deepening their knowledge and understanding of their craft.

our core values

Our work with students is rooted in a deeply held belief in the positive impact of the arts in students’ lives.

The following core values guide all we do:

cultivate joy co-construct community

center student voice & choice concentrate on process celebrate growth & reflection create equity

access and inclusion

Central to our mission is to break down barriers so that all children can fully participate in our programming. We hope that every child can experience the joy, community, and personal and collective growth that stems from full participation in the arts.

We o er a sliding-scale tuition assistance program designed to make participation within reach for all families.

Through inclusive education practices, accommodations, and dedicated inclusion support sta , we work to ensure a positive learning experience for students with disabilities and other learning needs.

To learn more about our Tuition Assistance Program scan the QR code or visit wheelockfamilytheatre.org

frequently asked questions

How many students are in each class?

Class sizes range from 10 to 40 students depending on the content, and the number of teachers and assistants in the class. Class size maximums are strictly enforced to ensure the best possible learning environment for your student. Register early to secure your spot. All classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.

Who are the faculty?

All of our faculty are professional educators and artists. They work all over Greater Boston with higher education institutions such as Berklee College, Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Emerson College, and Lesley University, and professional theaters such as Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Huntington Theatre, Speakeasy Stage Co., Trinity Rep, and our very own mainstage.

What should I bring to class?

Students in all classes should wear clothes and shoes they are comfortable jumping, crawling, and rolling in. Additionally, some classes include messy art projects. Students should bring a lunch, water bottle, and two small snacks (one for mid-morning and one for mid-afternoon). Students do not have access to a refrigerator or a way to warm food. Please note: to ensure the safety of all of our students, we have a strict no-nut policy for both peanuts and tree-nuts (including hazelnut products such as Nutella) and products that “may contain” peanuts and tree-nuts. Younger students will take quiet time after lunch and are encouraged to bring a favorite toy, book and a blanket.

What if my student wants to be in a younger or older class?

We understand that some students thrive in an environment including students either younger or older than their peer group. Please reach out to our sta if you would like to discuss your student’s placement.

Is there a play at the end of class?

The majority of our programs end in demonstrations and not performances. These sharings usually take place in your student’s classroom and are an opportunity to showcase the skill building that has occurred over the course of the program. Those programs that end in a more formal final performance are noted in the summer grid and descriptions.

Is there tuition assistance available? Yes! We’ve never turned away a student from our classes for the inability to pay tuition. For information: wheelockfamilytheatre.org/ education/tuition-assistance

Can I drop-o my student early?

Beforecare is available starting at 8:00 a.m. and costs $10/day or $50/week. You can sign-up for this online or by calling a member of our sta .

Can I pick-up my student late?

Aftercare is available for all programs ending at 3:30 p.m. Aftercare ends at 5:00 p.m. and costs $15/day or $75/week. Please note this is supervised structured free-time. The theatre will provide art activities, games, and play age-appropriate movies or television series. Students are also encouraged to bring a favorite book, toy, or game to play. You can sign-up for this online or by calling a member of our sta .

How does pick-up and drop-o work?

For programs that take place on the Fenway campus, drop-o and pick-up occur along Pilgrim Road behind the Theatre. A comprehensive guide to our pick-up and drop-o procedures is available on our website. For programs that take place elsewhere on BU’s campus, additional information on drop-o & pick-up will be shared prior to the start of the program.

How do you create an inclusive and accessible environment for my student?

We are committed to providing inclusive educational practices for your child. For more information, please contact jerih@bu.edu.

How do you ensure student safety?

There is nothing more important to us than the well-being of the young people we serve. In support of that priority, we have created a comprehensive set of practices designed to keep students safe. Among the key elements of our protections:

• Mandatory background checks, including criminal history and the national sex o ender database, for every paid position prior to starting work and on an ongoing basis;

• A “rule of 3” so that no sta should ever be alone with a student in a private space;

• Socializing with students outside of scheduled rehearsals, performances, classes, or WFT@BU -sanctioned professional activities is strictly limited;

• We are a mandatory reporting organization, which means any sta member must report any suspicion or knowledge of abuse or neglect.

For most updated protocols: wheelockfamilytheatre.org/education/policies/