VACT Fall 2024 Drama and Music Classes!
Registration Now Open!
FALL DRAMA AND MUSIC CLASSES
Registration In Now Open!
VACT is excited to once again offer a variety of theater classes for kindergarten through eighth grade. In these semester long classes, students will have the opportunity to learn about the art of theater and build their skills and self confidence.
Classes are by grade level, based on student’s grade in 2024-25 school year (no exceptions).
Classes meet once a week.
Class size limited to 15 students.
Classes run the week of October 7th through the week of December 16th. No classes 11/25-11/29 (week of Thanksgiving).
All classes are held at the Verona Area Community Theater Building, 103 Lincoln Street, Verona.
There will be a final sharing during classes the week of December 16th, during the last class of the semester.
Separate classes will be offered for spring semester, but some classes may be repeated in both fall and spring.
Please see our camp and classes policies page HERE for additional class policies.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ALL CLASSES!
Questions? Email VACT Education Director Justin McDermott at education@vact.org
Pre-K Classes
Pre-K Expressive Storytelling
Tuesdays, 10:00-10:30AM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
For children who are not yet in Kindergarten, but will at least 3-years-old by September 1, expressive Story Time is a creative time to learn theater fundamentals while exploring drama as a creative outlet. This class combines storytelling with dramatic play to ignite creativity and build confidence and allows imagination to take center stage. Children will explore different characters, emotions, and settings, encouraging them to use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to fully engage with each story.
Pre-K Movement and Music
Tuesdays, 10:45-11:15AM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
For children who are not yet in Kindergarten, but will at least 3-years-old by September 1, let's move and shake while learning the basics of musical theater. Students will explore rhythm and choreography through stories and songs. Students will gain confidence, find their voice, learn to express a wide range of emotions, learn a foundation of dance movements, and interact with music. This will be a fun and creative experience for little learners.
Gr. 3-5 Classes
3-5 Drama Games
Tuesdays, 4:50-5:20PM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
For students in grades 3-5, Join us for this engaging theater class! Through a variety of games and activities, we'll work together to develop essential theater skills like storytelling, character development, and creative expression. This class is a great opportunity for students looking to gain confidence and learn more about acting!
Gr. 3-5 Drama: Imagination in Action
Wednesdays, 6:00-6:30PM
October 9 - December 18
Price: $100
For students in grades 3-5, join us for this drama class, where creativity takes center stage! This class is designed for young performers eager to dive into the world of theater and express themselves through the magic of acting. Students will explore the fundamentals of drama in a fun, supportive environment that encourages imagination, teamwork, and self-confidence. This class will include imaginative play, character exploration, creative expression, script work, and theater basics. We will be exploring all areas of theater to help students feel confident and excited about theater.
Gr. 3-5 Beginner Vocal and Music
Thursdays, 4:15-4:45PM
October 10 - December 19
Price: $100
For students in grades 3-5, this class will be based on exploring music through song and movement. It will also cover the following topics: The basics of learning how to read a vocal score, developing musical expression, matching pitch and singing in tune, developing healthy vocal technique, music vocabulary, and performing skills. Students will also prepare and work towards a final sharing for family and friends on the last day of class.
Gr. K-2 Classes
Gr. K-2 Drama Games
Tuesdays, 4:15-4:45PM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
For students in grades K-2, this class is all about using your imagination and building confidence through fun and games. We'll explore storytelling, create characters, and express ourselves in a supportive and energetic environment. Perfect for budding performers!"
Gr. K-2 Drama: Fairy Tale Feature
Wednesdays, 4:50-5:20PM
October 9 - December 18
Price: $100
For students in grades K-2, this drama class is a fun and engaging theater class for youth performers. In this playful and interactive class, students will embark on a creative journey where they explore the magic of theater through well known fairy tales. We will be bringing favorite characters and stories to life, using imagination, working as a team, enhancing creativity, and finding our voices. Students will build their confidence while having fun and building a strong foundation in theater.
K-2 Drama Explorers
Wednesdays, 5:25-5:55PM
October 9 - December 18
Price: $100
Students in grades K-2 will embark on an exciting adventure in this drama class, using the world and all of its wonder as inspiration. We will be exploring theater basics, such as character development, stage presence, using your voice, and working with others. This will be a fun and engaging class that will make each student the star of the show.
Gr. K-2 Intro to Music and Singing
Thursdays, 3:40-4:10PM
October 10 - December 19
Price: $100
For students in grades K-2, this class will be based on exploring music through song and movement. It will also cover the following topics: Musical expression, matching pitch, beginner music vocabulary, singing in a group, developing healthy vocal technique, and beginning performing skills. Students will also prepare and work towards a final sharing for family and friends on the last day of class.
Gr. 6-8 Classes
Gr. 6-8 Acting: Mystery on Stage
Tuesdays, 5:25-5:55PM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
For students in grades 6-8, step into the spotlight and ignite your imagination this dynamic drama class! In this class students will expand their knowledge of theater fundamentals, explore character development, build an understanding of scripts, have fun with theater games, and most importantly find an outlet for creative expression, all through the exciting genre of mysteries! This interactive and engaging class will have you answering the question, "Whodunnit"?!
Gr. 6-8 Acting: Character Lab
Tuesdays, 6:00-6:30PM
October 8 - December 17
Price: $100
Discover what makes a character truly come alive on stage in this expressive and creative drama class. The Character Lab is great for new performers or students with previous theater experience. Students will learn how to build unique and compelling characters and explore different techniques to help them understand and embody a character’s personality, motivations, and emotions. We will create our own cast of characters, and explore well known movie, story, and theater characters. We will answer questions like "Was the witch with the gingerbread house really evil or just misunderstood?", and "What types of houses did the three little pigs build after the terrible incident?"
Gr. 6-8 Musical Theater Ensemble Studies
Thursdays, 4:50-5:20PM
October 10 - December 19
Price: $100
For students in grades 6-8, this class will be based on learning to sing and read musical theatre songs as an ensemble. The class will also cover the following topics: Learning how to read a vocal score, matching pitch and developing a sense of intonation, discovering best practices for ensemble singing, learning to sing in harmony, developing healthy vocal technique, and creating an expressive performance. Students will also prepare and work towards a final sharing for family and friends on the last day of class.
Justin McDermott - Education Director
Justin is thrilled to be stepping into the role of Education Director at Verona Area Community Theater for the 2024-2025 season! His passion lies in empowering young individuals through the art of theater, music, and dance. In this role, Justin is looking forward to leading and collaborating with the talented team at VACT by creating impactful and enriching experiences for all students. He is eager to embark on this new journey and contribute to the vibrant community at VACT!
Maya Buffomante
Maya is currently in her senior year completing her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Drama as an Honors Acting Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison alongside a double major in Psychology and a minor in Educational Policies and Services. She has previously worked at BAM Theatre Company in her home state Illinois, as well as Children's Theatre of Madison as an emerging teaching artist. Maya has worked on 30+ theatrical productions both educationally and professionally. She is thrilled to use her passion for the performing arts to inspire and support the next generation of artists!
Aria Johnson
Aria is ecstatic to teach this year at VACT! She is a junior at Verona Area High School and has been with VACT for over a decade, having appeared onstage in more than 25 productions, as well as working as staff on multiple youth productions and backstage as an assistant stage manager. Aria cannot wait to teach students all the amazing skills she has learned in her time at VACT.
Janelle McGhee
Janelle McGhee has been working with students of all ages for most of her life and has taught a wide variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and theater. She has worked with students from preschool to adults and everything in between. Janelle has her BS in Elementary Education from University in Pennsylvania. Soon after graduating, she moved to Madison and was introduced to VACT and the opportunity to help with the K-2 musicals as a choreographer and camp co-teacher. After a handful of years away from Madison, she is happy to be back and teaching VACT classes again!