What is the Young Performers' Workshop?
YPW is the oldest Education in Action program, offering acting classes with performances on the Wayside stage.
In a YPW class, your child will learn about theatre through the rehearsal and performance of a play. YPW students gain a variety of skills including proper vocal technique, character development and script analysis, along with developing social awareness, a sense of teamwork and a great work ethic.
Classes are designed to accommodate performers of all levels of experience. With a play selected for the specific actors present, each student is challenged appropriately for their level of experience. Each student is given ample individual attention, as our max teacher-student ratio is 1:6. Putting together a play in such a short time is not easy, and the accomplishment of a great show teaches that hard work brings great rewards.
Lucy’s experience with the workshop has had amazing results. We signed her up hoping it would help with her schoolwork.
But had no idea that the results would be so dramatic.”
-a YPW parent.
When are classes held?
Currently the YPW has sessions during each season of the year: Fall, Winter, Spring, and a two-week intensive workshop in the Summer. Each session varies on classes offered and times. To join our mailing list and receive the informational letter for each session, email eia@waysidetheatre.org.
How much do classes cost?
YPW workshops range from $135-350. Payment plans are available for all sessions. Each summer, the Young Ambassadors Guild sponsors 2-3 students by paying for half of the camp’s cost. To apply, submit a completed application form to the theatre labeled “Young Ambassador’s Guild, c/o Education Programs.”
Download the scholarship application form here.
YPW Spring 2010 Session.
YPW Programs
YPW 1 (ages 7-12) & YPW 2 (ages 12-18)
The fundamentals of acting and theatre are instilled in the YPW 1 and YPW 2 classes, from theatre definitions to rehearsal process. The YPW 1 class final performance includes a one-act play; the YPW 2 class final performance includes a one-act play and monologues.
YPW Musical Theatre (ages 13-18)
The YPW Musical Theatre class not only enhances the students acting performance skills, but also their singing skills. The final performance consists of solo and company numbers from various known musicals to create an original story.
YPW Shakespeare (ages 13-18)
The YPW Shakespeare class explores the poetry of one of the world’s most famous playwrights, William Shakespeare. Students learn how to read and interpret the writings through performing various scenes and monologues to comprise the final production.
YPW Improv! (ages 13-18)
The YPW Improv class allows students to create a story without a script. The class involves students trusting their team members a works on enhancing their creative process for performing. The final production consists of a live show completely improvised using suggestions from the audience.
YPW Playhouse (ages 4-6)
The YPW Playhouse teaches our youngest performers the five tools of an actor: imagination, concentration, cooperation, body, and voice. The final production consists of using these five tools to bring a favorite children’s story to life.
