Acting Workshops
Scroll Down to Bottom of Page for Acting Workshop Registration Forms and Syllabus
We believe that acting workshops can help build teamwork, improve communication skills, enhance critical thinking abilities, and liberate creative expression. A child can build on these skills and apply them to any career in life.
We are not new to this endeavor. For two years, we co-produced acting workshops with another theater company, which were taught by our founder. As we moved away to fully produce our own shows, our aim was to also keep theatrical training in mind. For we have always believed in teaching children theater while doing theater.
Our unique approach to teaching children how to act is a blend of theory and real life experience. Students have the opportunity to learn the basic and advanced skills of theater while rehearsing for a show. This way, everything they learn comes together.
Our class structure is simple, we begin with theater games and warm-ups, followed by a 15-minute instructional period, and then we rehearse the show. Students are fully costumed in our shows, although we do not provide all the costumes ourselves. The actors are responsible for some of that, leaving room for creativity.
Each workshop is 10 weeks long, featuring 9 weeks of instruction with the performance on the final weekend. Workshops are usually Saturday mornings or afternoons. Our Winter 2018 Acting Workshop, The Reluctant Dragon, met on Saturdays from 10 AM- 1 PM starting in mid-January. It culminated in a final performance on Saturday, March 24th.
We are not new to this endeavor. For two years, we co-produced acting workshops with another theater company, which were taught by our founder. As we moved away to fully produce our own shows, our aim was to also keep theatrical training in mind. For we have always believed in teaching children theater while doing theater.
Our unique approach to teaching children how to act is a blend of theory and real life experience. Students have the opportunity to learn the basic and advanced skills of theater while rehearsing for a show. This way, everything they learn comes together.
Our class structure is simple, we begin with theater games and warm-ups, followed by a 15-minute instructional period, and then we rehearse the show. Students are fully costumed in our shows, although we do not provide all the costumes ourselves. The actors are responsible for some of that, leaving room for creativity.
Each workshop is 10 weeks long, featuring 9 weeks of instruction with the performance on the final weekend. Workshops are usually Saturday mornings or afternoons. Our Winter 2018 Acting Workshop, The Reluctant Dragon, met on Saturdays from 10 AM- 1 PM starting in mid-January. It culminated in a final performance on Saturday, March 24th.
CurriculaOur acting workshops may result in a performance given by elementary students, but there is a clear curricula involved that we follow.
We follow a four-year curricula plan at YFE Theatrical Productions, as our acting workshops are tailor-made for the 8-12 age range. Year One is The Classics and Their Lessons. Workshops include, Alice in Wonderland & The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. Year Two is A Year of Friendship! These workshops include, James & The Giant Peach and The Wizard of Oz. Year Three is High Adventure! These workshops include, Charlotte's Web and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Year Four is A Lesson in Fairytales! These workshops include, Cinderella and The Emperor's New Clothes. We have just wrapped up the current season and will be diving into Year 3 this September. Each Fall, our first few classes are dedicated to students with little to no theatrical experience although new students can join us at anytime. For our summer 2-week acting workshops, though, students are required to have been in at least 2 school or YFE productions. Our curricula aim is to help bridge the gap between the school and the home, offering affordable acting workshops for families so that elementary-aged children have the chance to utilize their creativity and be a part of something fun regardless of their age! |
Teaching StaffJosef Silvia: is a skilled teacher. He has a Masters in Christian Education, was a children's pastor for over eight years, has taught children in various after-school programs and acting workshops since 2003. He studied as an apprentice at The Priscilla Beach Theater from 2000-2005, learning the craft of acting and directing. He eventually directed many of their acting workshops. His play version of Pinocchio was well-received three years ago, and as a result became a published piece. He will be teaching both Pinocchio and Charlotte's Web acting workshops this coming school year.
Cindy Bell: A teacher in the Massachusetts area for many years, Cindy has taught a variety of acting workshops and training classes. We are looking forward to having her back soon!
Elizabeth Janssen: A graduate from Bridgewater State University. She has previously worked with YFE on shows, directing Pinocchio: A Story from Fairyland and Countess Dracula is in the Basement in 2016. She enjoys theater and working with children very much; she is excited to be joining YFE on another adventure. She directed the recent Winter 2018 Acting Workshop and we look forward to working with her again soon! |
Age for Acting WorkshopsCurrently, our acting workshops are geared for children ages 6-14. Our recent workshop, The Reluctant Dragon, had students from the ages of 8-12. Each workshop is tailor-made for the age-groups we perform with. If you are not sure which workshop your child should be enrolled in, contact us. We do our best to make sure certain workshops are better for younger students, etc.
Affordability for Students
Acting workshops for students typically run anywhere between $300-400 per student per class, and many of those workshops do not include a performance. We believe all students can learn many lessons from theater for life, regardless of whether or not they continue to pursue theater as adults.
Our tuition generally ranges between $165-175 per student per workshop. However, to keep it affordable, we only allow one excused absence from the 10-Week acting workshop program. This makes room for as many students who want to be involved as possible. Obviously, this excused absence does not include illness. We believe in being there for families and we simply ask for commitment from the students and parents. |
2018-2019 Acting Workshop Season! "A Year of Adventure!"
Enroll your children today in our upcoming Fall and Winter acting workshops!
Fall Workshop: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Class Dates: Sept. 15th-Nov. 17th, 10 AM-1 PM
Performance Date: Nov. 17th @ 3 PM
Class & Performance Venue: MBACC, 123 High St., Dedham, MA
LAST DAY TO ENROLL: Sept. 30th (Please email us for details)
Winter Workshop: Charlotte's Web
Class Dates: Jan. 26th-Apr. 6th, 10 AM-1 PM
Performance Date: Apr. 6th @ 3 PM
Class & Performance Venue: MBACC, 123 High St., Dedham, MA
All children ages 8-12 are eligible to enroll. If your child will turn 8 by the end of the workshop, they are also eligible to enroll. Should your child be between the ages of 6-8, we may accept them on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to make sure children have fun, while learning by doing and want to make sure each child is set up for success.
Registration is open until the second day of class. Class is refundable till second day of class. 2018-2019 School Year will be taught by our founder, Josef Silvia. Josef has an MA in educational teaching, and has been teaching children for over 15 years. Show titles are subject to change, based on student enrollment. Students are responsible for their own costumes. Tuition is $155 per student and $130 per student if same parent/guardian is enrolling more than 1.
Online Registration forms are below.
Fall Workshop: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Class Dates: Sept. 15th-Nov. 17th, 10 AM-1 PM
Performance Date: Nov. 17th @ 3 PM
Class & Performance Venue: MBACC, 123 High St., Dedham, MA
LAST DAY TO ENROLL: Sept. 30th (Please email us for details)
Winter Workshop: Charlotte's Web
Class Dates: Jan. 26th-Apr. 6th, 10 AM-1 PM
Performance Date: Apr. 6th @ 3 PM
Class & Performance Venue: MBACC, 123 High St., Dedham, MA
All children ages 8-12 are eligible to enroll. If your child will turn 8 by the end of the workshop, they are also eligible to enroll. Should your child be between the ages of 6-8, we may accept them on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to make sure children have fun, while learning by doing and want to make sure each child is set up for success.
Registration is open until the second day of class. Class is refundable till second day of class. 2018-2019 School Year will be taught by our founder, Josef Silvia. Josef has an MA in educational teaching, and has been teaching children for over 15 years. Show titles are subject to change, based on student enrollment. Students are responsible for their own costumes. Tuition is $155 per student and $130 per student if same parent/guardian is enrolling more than 1.
Online Registration forms are below.
2018-2019 Online Registration Forms!
Below are the online registration forms per class. If paying online, please return to this page after submitting the form to complete the online payment. All payments are securely taken via PayPal. There are also options to mail-in the check and bring check to first day of class. Note: The Online Fall Registration Form may still say Pinocchio but the show has been changed to "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory."
