Actor Children's Theatre School at Wagner College
Art by Lifelong Learning Intern Sam Meyer
For over 10 years, the Actor Children’s Theatre School at Wagner College has provided quality theater education to the Staten Island community. The ACT school continually receives high praises in all program categories from parents and young actors. Give your child the opportunity to explore his/her inner self and express ideas through the art of drama. There are a variety of classes for aspiring actors of all ages.
This is an exciting season for the ACT School Program at Wagner College. For the first time, we are offering our young actors an opportunity to perform in two musicals; Elf, Jr. in December and Legally Blonde, Jr. in June on the Wagner College main stage.
FALL 2019 |
SPRING 2020 |
ACT School Full-Year Programs
ACT Musical Theatre
Ages 10+
Our “triple-threat” theatre program and school for children and teens begins every September and encompasses acting, musical performance, and movement. Actors focus on building confidence while performing improvisations, character studies, and theater games and learning about theatre production, stage management, auditioning and directing. All enrolled in the performance class will be cast in the show for that semester. All enrolled will participate in a weekly performance class as well as a workshop class where actors will work on repertoire, various genres of music, different styles of choreography and dance technique. Now in our 13th year, ACT continues to train our young actors in the art of the theatre while expanding into an acting school to meet the needs of actors of all ages and talent levels.
Elf, Jr. Performance & Workshop Class
Ages 10+
- Auditions: Saturday, September 7 at 10 a.m. in Campus Hall Music Performance Center
- Classes: Saturdays, September 14 – December 14 (No Class November 30) | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Tech: December 16 to 19
- Shows: December 20 & 21
Tuition: $999
Legally Blonde, Jr. Performance & Workshop Class
Ages 10+
- Auditions: Saturday, January 11 at 10 a.m. in Campus Hall Music Performance Center
- Classes: Saturdays, January 18 – May 30 (No class February 15, April 11, May 23) | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Tech: June 1 to 4
- Shows: June 5, 6 & 7
Tuition: $999
ACT Advanced Performing Arts
Ages: 7 – 9
Saturdays, September 14 – May 16 (subject to change for additional show rehearsals) | No classes November 30, December 21 & 28, January 4 & 11, February 15, April 11 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In this class we will build upon the young actor’s previous performing arts training in the areas of singing, acting, dancing, directing, stage management, and production, while emphasizing cultural literacy in the arts. Students will learn about scene study, character analysis, how to break down a song to perform and movement for the stage. This class will culminate in an open class for family and friends. Note: Only students who have previously taken a full year ACT class at Wagner College are eligible for this class.
Full Year Tuition: $1,299
With Optional Shows
Saturdays, September 7 – December 14 | No class November 30 | 12 – 1 p.m.
Full Year Tuition with “Elf the Musical, Jr.”: $1,499
Saturdays, January 11 – May 30 | No class February 15, April 11 or May 23 | 12 – 1 p.m.
Full Year Tuition with “Legally Blonde the Musical, Jr.”: $1,499
Saturdays, September 7 – May 30 | 12 – 1 p.m.
Full Year Tuition with “Elf the Musical, Jr.” and “Legally Blonde the Musical, Jr.”: $1,699
ACT Introductory Performing Arts
Ages 6 – 9
Saturdays, September 14 – May 16 | No classes November 30, December 21 & 28, January 4 & 11, February 15, April 11 | 9 – 10 a.m.
In this introductory class, young students will begin to build a strong foundation in the performing arts. They will learn through theatre games, basic movement/dance skills, singing, and monologue study. Students will touch upon theatre history, scene study, and will begin to harness their own vision for creating within the arts. This class will culminate in an open class for family and friends to showcase the young actors!
Tuition: $649
Tuition Payment Plan for Full Year ACT Programs:
- Half Tuition due at registration
- Half of Tuition Balance due by December 1
- Total Balance due by January 25, 2020
ACT School Fall Programs
ACT Pre-K Theatre
Ages 4 – 5
Saturdays, September 21 – December 14 (12 weeks) | No classes November 30 | 9 – 10 a.m.
Our youngest actors will not only learn the basics of the craft of acting, but also life skills including empathy, communication, focus, and the ability to form empowering relationships with their fellow actors. This is a great class for socializing and fostering a love for theatre while learning from a variety of theatre games, basic movement/dance skills, singing, and brief monologue study.
Tuition: $269
ACT Teen Theatre Master Class & Directorial Training
Ages 12+
Level I | Tuesdays, September 17 – December 17 | No class October 1 & 8 | 5 – 7 p.m.
Level II (Full Year Program) | Tuesdays, September 17 – May 19 | No class 10/1,10/8,12/24, 12/31, 1/7, 1/14, 2/14, 2/18, 3/17, 4/14 | 7 – 9 p.m.
This advanced acting class will prepare young actors for work in the entertainment industry, whether on the Broadway stage or on set. Students will learn proper technique based on the philosophies of Stanislavsky and Meisner. The Level II class will provide directorial training for students who want to learn how to direct a play. This class is for serious actors only with previous acting experience. Level II requires minimum of one semester Master class and will culminate with a staged production.
Level I Tuition: $659
Level II Tuition: $1,359
* Course Series Discount – Save $100 when registering for both ACT Full Year and ACT Teens Master class
ACT in a Movie! – All New
Ages 12 – 17
Fridays, September 20 – December 13 (12 weeks) | No class November 29 | 5 – 7 p.m.
Learn the acting techniques necessary for camera work, which differs from stage acting. This class is perfect for anyone interested in being a TV or film actor! Special Note: This class will collaborate with our Film Making class joining together young actors with young filmmakers!
Tuition: $499
Adult Theatre Program – All New
Ages 21+
First four Thursdays of the month beginning October 3 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Are you looking to rekindle an old love of acting or to improve your technique? Improvisations, monologues, and scene studies will be introduced, with an emphasis on improving acting repertoire and performance skills. Registration is monthly and depending on the students and instructor, there could be an additional production fee for performances requiring technical support.
Tuition: $30 per class (Monthly payment required in advance.)
