Spring Classes filling up

This spring, Amy Allen will be leading the classes for the Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy. Amy is a creative, local theatre educator, music instructor, actress and director with a degree in performing arts and a long association with the Playhouse.  Last summer she taught our Kids Camp Jr. and Kids Camp programs.

Whether you are considering a future in the performing arts or simply seeking an outlet for creative fun and artistic expression, imaginations are encouraged in our classes!

Creative Dramatics

Friday evenings and Saturday mornings

Grades 1, 2 & 3 –  Four Classes – May 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Meets Fridays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Students will learn about performance through movement, storytelling and FUN.  The class will focus on exposing the children to their own creative, artistic possibilities and self-expression in a non-threatening atmosphere.  Always new, always fun!  This class is repeatable. The final class is open for parents to attend. 

Fees: $50.00 early bird - $60 after April 26.

Acting It Up

Friday evenings and Saturday mornings

Grades 4, 5 & 6 – Four Classes – May 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Meets Fridays from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 – 12:00 a.m. This class mixes creative dramatics and improvisation to teach theatre skills. A fast-paced mixture of theatre games, creative movements and imagination help children create a character using voice and movement. Preparing for an audition. Changing focus makes this class repeatable.  The final class is open so parents may attend. 

Fees:  $50.00 early bird - $60 after April 26.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 2 days prior to the first class - if space is available.

Don’t delay. Space is limited.

Click here to download the registration form.

Summer Drama Camps now enrolling

Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy will hold Summer Drama Camps beginning June 9. Cory Wilkerson will be the lead teacher with Jennifer Feldser assisting for this program, which has something for anyone in first through twelfth grades.

Kids Camp Jr.

Tell Me a Story

Storytelling and fun for the youngest set. For children entering grades 1, 2, 3 – Meets from 9:00 am – 10:00 am, weekdays, Monday June 9 through Friday June 20 with a performance at 7:00 pm on the last evening. Campers will learn acting skills with an emphasis on creative dramatics. A fast-paced theatre class for young children with an emphasis on developing imaginations.  

$100.00 early bird - $110.00 after June 1.

Kids Camp

Folktales and Fun

Children explore folktales from many different cultures while learning improvisation and performance techniques to bring a script to life. For children entering grades 4, 5.  Meets from 10:30 am – 11:30 am weekdays, Monday June 9 through Friday June 20 with a performance at 7:00 pm on the last evening.  

$100.00 early bird - $110.00 after June 1.

Middle School Studio

Mystery, Mayhem and Villains

Melodramatic villains and hapless heroes for the middle school crowd. For students entering grades 6, 7, 8. Meets from 12:30 – 1:30 pm weekdays, Monday June 9 through Friday June 20 with a performance at 7:00 pm on the last evening. Campers will learn performance skills with an emphasis on creating a character by exploring strong stock characters from mysteries and melodramas. 

$100.00 early bird - $110.00 after June 1.

High School Studio

Styles, Drama, Romance and Laughter

High School aged students explore scenes from Greek drama, Roman comedy, Medieval theatre, Shakespeare’s classics, British drawing room comedy, Modern theatre and Theatre of the Absurd. For students entering grades 9-12 – Meets from 2:00 – 4:00 pm weekdays, Monday June 9 through Friday June 20 with a performance at 7:00 pm on the last evening. Students will learn acting with an emphasis on scene work, costumes, and staging/performance conventions through the ages. A great class to prepare you for auditions – learn skills to help you get the part! 

$150.00 early bird - $165.00 after June 1.

Meet our Summer Drama Camp staff

Ms. Cory Wilkerson (Lead teacher)

Cory Wilkerson is a director and performer specializing in theatre for youth, and former artistic director of WOW! Theatre. Ms. Wilkerson has taught acting both here and in Atlanta, Georgia public schools. Ms. Wilkerson is a 2004 recipient of a Pennsylvania State Legislature Certificate of Achievement for her work with children and youth.  Ms. Wilkerson directed Oliver!, Annie and The Sound of Music for the Playhouse.  When not directing or performing Ms. Wilkerson is an arts education consultant for the PA Department of Education. 

Ms. Jennifer Feldser (Assistant Teacher)

Jennifer has been with the Playhouse since the beginning, working behind the scenes as stage manager for many of the productions. Jennifer most recently directed the premiere of her original production The Other Woman in February at the Playhouse. The Other Woman was awarded Best New Play of the Region by the Kennedy Center during the American College Theatre Festival. When Jen is not doing theatre she is busy keeping track of dramatic elementary students as a teacher in Lower Dauphin School District.

Don’t delay. Space is limited.

Click here to download the registration form.

For more information about upcoming educational events, or to get involved in helping to plan future educational programs, contact Playhouse board member Randy at rkc4@comcast.net or 717.497.2315.