The THEATER ARTS PROGRAM aims to preserve the tradition of theater, the future of musical theater and the craft of acting through classes that cultivate future performers and actors for the stage, and audiences for the theatre.

Our curriculum motivates CHILDREN, TEENS and YOUNG ADULTS, of all levels, to use their imagination as a tool for expression, and to identify themselves, mind, body, and spirit as thoughtful people, actors, and young professionals.

Working actors, performers and directors who are skilled in their craft and passionate about the rich tradition and diversity of theater teach the THEATER ARTS PROGRAM classes.

All classes are age-specific and small - usually 15 students or less. This helps to insure that each student develops at his or her own pace while still learning at an accelerated rate. The program is divided into four levels: Exposure, Technique, and Pre-Professional in the areas of Acting and Musical Theater. Each level is designed to serve as a guide for each student as they develop from beginning to intermediate to advance.

Students of the THEATER ARTS PROGRAM have been accepted into professional schools, appeared in films, and performed featured roles in major Broadway productions. Our acting classes expand and improve a child’s reading, focus, confidence, and listening and expressive abilities. Classes also develop critical thinking, forward thinking and analytical/problem solving skills.

Whether a beginner or young pre-professional, our training is unique in that it provides challenging performance experiences that draw upon original, classical, contemporary and musical theatre repertoire.

In the past seven years, the THEATER ARTS PROGRAM has produced over 35 youth productions in our modest black box stage. Some recent classical and contemporary productions include: Lysistrata and The Birds by Aristophanes, A Midsummer Night‘s Dream and The Tempest by William Shakespeare, The Zoo Story by Edward Albee, Jack by Eugene Ionesco, The Frog Prince by David Mamet, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Once on This Island adapted by Lynn Ahrens, The Wiz adapted by Ken Harper, Oliver adapted by Lionel Bart, A Wishing Well by Bertin K. Rowser III and many more new, and established musicals.

To enroll in the Drama Program students must:

• interview or audition with Theater Arts Program Director. Beginning level classes require an interview, intermediate and advance level classes require an audition.
• submit a completed application.
• submit the applicable registration fee
• pay tuition fees in full.
  

Please Contact Us for more information.

AUDITIONS – ages 9 and up
Auditions for all of the production classes:  MTW, Company “B” and the Jr. Acting Company will be held Saturday, Sept. 16th at 1pm, Third Floor Theater, Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 1 East 104th Street (btw 5th and Madison)

Students auditioning for Company “B” and the Jr. Acting Company may prepare a memorized, contemporary monologue from a published play that is 2 minutes in length.  Students interested in MTW can arrive at 1PM and come prepared to receive group instruction in acting, movement and voice.  

Please call for more information before coming to the audition.  212.427.2244 x 558.

CLICK HERE to download application forms.

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CLASSES OFFERED

Theater Exposure ages 4 &5
Drama Exposure I ages 6,7,8
Drama Exposure II ages 9, 10, 11
Drama Exposure III ages 12 & up
Acting Technique I ages 9-11
Acting Technique II ages 12 & up
Musical Theater Exposure I ages 6 & 7
Musical Theater Exposure II ages 8 – 11
Musical Theater Production ages 12 & up
Theater Production/Repertory ages 12 & up

THEATRE EXPOSURE
Physical and vocal expression take flight! Imaginations come to life! Students are introduced to the world of Theatre via an array of fun theatre exercises. Basic vocabulary, breathing, projecting, entrances, exits and creating characters are guaranteed to focus the active child and build confidence in the shy one. Ages 4 & 5.
Day: Saturday
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DRAMA EXPOSURE
These first -tier acting classes focus on encouraging the students’ ever- growing imaginations. Classes are divided into two stages. Fall semester focuses on training the voice and expanding student creativity via sensory exercises and warm ups that build mental stamina. Novice level group acting scenes are rehearsed in the spring semester leading to an end-of-the-year ensemble performance. Level I: Ages 6-8; Level II: Ages 9-11; Level III: Ages 12 and older. Enrollment requirement: interview.
Day: Saturday
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ACTING TECHNIQUE
This class expands the use of the young actor’s creative facility. Further theatrical vocabulary, script analysis and orientation to character motivation are introduced. Classical or Contemporary scenes and monologues are rehearsed in the second semester, leading to an end-of-the-year ensemble performance. This class is for the disciplined, energetic and motivated student interested in the craft of acting, it is also a pre-curser to the upper level THEATER REPERATORY PRODUCTION class. Working away from class is required. Level I: Ages 9-11; Level II: Ages 12 and older. Enrollment requirement: individual audition.
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THEATER REPERTORY PRODUCTION
Theater Repertory Production class is for students who have at least two years of experience in the Theater Program. There will be two full-scale end-of-semester Classical, Contemporary, or original productions, in which students will collectively analyze a script, create characters, and perform before a live audience! The myriad of skills learned in lower level classes is employed by the ensemble to give physical life to the text of a play. This class is meant for the serious-minded student who is interested in pursuing a career in the Theater. Working away from class is required. The class also offers field trips to see Dramatic Productions. Ages 12 and older. Enrollment requirement: individual audition.
Day: Saturday

MUSICAL THEATER EXPOSURE
These first –tier musical theater classes build the skill of storytelling through the combined arts of Voice, Dance, and Theater. The emphasis is on training students to nurture their imaginations through the use of their voices, bodies, and minds, while gaining an understanding and appreciation of the intersecting nature of the various performing arts disciplines. Make the lyrics and notes of a song, the choreography of a dance number, and the dramatic conflict of a scene spring to life! Level I: Ages 6-7; Level II: Ages 8-11. Enrollment requirement: interview.
Day: Saturday

MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION
This intensive class expands on the union of voice, dance, and theater to weave stories with the objective of preparing students for the demands and expectations of the professional world of Musical Theater. Students will be taught numerous dance numbers and vocal arrangements, all while putting scenes on their feet for an audience! The class also offers Broadway Master Classes, in which students will have the opportunity to meet, greet, and engage Broadway performers with questions about their experiences in the professional world, as well as field trips to see Broadway Musical Productions. Working away from class is required. Ages 12 and older. Enrollment requirement: individual audition.
Day: Saturday