Classes and Workshops | Black Box Youth

Winter 2023

Acting Foundations I

ages 8 - teen

This class introduces the student to the fundamentals of acting for the stage, focusing on concentration, voice, physical skills, observation, and ensemble. For the person who has had no training, or who wants to polish some basic skills.

Ages 8 - teen Wednesday, 1/25 - 3/8* 5:00 to 6:00

Six 60-minute classes $60

*There will be no class on 3/1

Creative Drama

ages 5 - 9

This class takes the child's natural form of play and, through improvisation and other theatrical techniques, gently encourages performative storytelling. Full of games and no-pressure fun, this is a perfect class for the youngest would-be thespians.

Ages 5 - 9 Wednesday, 1/25 - 3/8* 4:00 to 5:00

Six 60-minute classes $60

*There will be no class on 3/1

Creating Your Character

ages 8 - 12

Students will play theater games and study scripts through the lens of character development. Using improvisation games and scripts for inspiration, participants will create fully fleshed out characters by making informed choices about the character’s backstory, physicality, vocals, clothing, and other elements. This class will end with a showcase for friends and family on March 20.

Ages 8 - 12 Monday, 1/23 - 3/13 4:00 to 5:00

Eight 60-minute classes $80

Scene and Character Analysis and Development

ages 14 - 18

During this course students will study and evaluate the given circumstances of scripts and will use clues in the scripts to aide in their character development. Participants will take a deep dive into objectives, super-objectives, obstacles, and tactics. The third section of the course will be discussing and exploring character relationships. This class will end with a showcase for friends and family on March 20.

Ages 14 - 18 Wednesday, 1/25 - 3/15 7:00 to 8:15

Eight 75-minute classes $100

Little Women Workshop

Spring 2023

Come hear the incredible tale of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves. With the help of his friends — the bear Baloo, the panther Bagheera, and the python Kaa — Mowgli learns the ways of the jungle. However, all is not peaceful for Mowgli, as Shere Khan, the man-eating tiger, is plotting to take control of the jungle. Mowgli must use all his strength and courage to stop Shere Khan before it is too late.

This 8-week immersive theater workshop for youth aged 8 through 18 is an exciting way for children and teens to experience all the magic of live theater through rehearsals, classes, and hands-on work with the many elements involved in creating a production for the stage. It begins Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26, 2023, with auditions. All registered youth are guaranteed a place in the cast or crew. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time once your registration is confirmed. If your actor cannot attend on either date, please make arrangements in advance for a private audition.

All rehearsals and performances will be at 113 S. Princess Street in Shepherdstown. Rehearsals for production workshops are scheduled with participants' schedules in mind. You will be asked for a list of date and time conflicts (for weeknights 5:00 to 7:00) after you register, and you can make changes to that list up to March 26, 2023. We ask that, once the rehearsal schedule is completed, you and your cast/crew member commit to attend. Unexcused absences may mean the loss of a role.

Please bear in mind that rehearsals during the week preceding opening night (Tech Week) will run late. Attendance during

Tech Week, as well as the mid-run rehearsal and all performances, is MANDATORY. This covers MAY 8 through MAY 21, 2023.

There will be six performances of The Jungle Book over two weekends: May 12 through 21, 2023. (Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm; and Sundays at 2:00 pm). To confirm your place, register online with the link above, and include your child(ren)'s name in the address line. We will follow up on your registration by email. Space is limited, so register soon.

The registration fee for the program which includes all materials, including costumes, is $295.

Fall 2023

Kay and Gerda are the best of friends until a piece of an enchanted mirror finds its way into Kay’s eye, causing him to see the world in a cold-hearted way. Soon taken by the Snow Queen, Kay forgets his happy life. Determined, Gerda goes on her own journey to find her friend, and to help him discover hope and joy again.

This 8-week immersive theater workshop for youth aged 8 through 18 is an exciting way for children and teens to experience all the magic of live theater through rehearsals, classes, and hands-on work with the many elements involved in creating a production for the stage. It begins Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, 2023, with auditions. All registered youth are guaranteed a place in the cast or crew. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time once your registration is confirmed. If your actor cannot attend on either date, please make arrangements in advance for a private audition.

All rehearsals and performances will be at 113 S. Princess Street in Shepherdstown. Rehearsals for production workshops are scheduled with participants' schedules in mind. You will be asked for a list of date and time conflicts (for weeknights 5:00 to 7:00) after you register, and you can make changes to that list up to October 15, 2023. We ask that, once the rehearsal schedule is completed, you and your cast/crew member commit to attend. Unexcused absences may mean the loss of a role.

Please bear in mind that rehearsals during the week preceding opening night (Tech Week) will run late. Attendance during

Tech Week, as well as the mid-run rehearsal and all performances, is MANDATORY.

This covers NOVEMBER 27 through DECEMBER 10, 2023.

There will be six performances of The Snow Queen over two weekends: December 1 through 10, 2023. (Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm; and Sundays at 2:00 pm). To confirm your place, register online with the link above, and include your child(ren)'s name in the address line. We will follow up on your registration by email. Space is limited, so register soon.

The registration fee for the program which includes all materials, including costumes, is $295.

Winter 2023

Master Players Workshop

Like our popular Theater Production Workshops, a Master Player Workshop focuses on theater production through hands-on rehearsals, classes, and time designing and/or building props, costumes, marketing materials, etc. However, the Master Players Workshop is a more rigorous program for those cast and crew who have past performance experience and are eager to be challenged further. Placement in the cast is by audition only. Crew placement must be pre-approved. Auditions for Little Women will be on January 28, 2023, and rehearsals will begin February 9, 2023. For Little Women, the director is casting youth who can play characters aged 12 and through adult. If selected for the cast or crew, information will be forwarded so that parents may formally register students in the program. Tuition for the workshop is $295.

Those interested in scheduling an audition, please click the button below and indicate your preferred audition time(s) in order of preference: 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., or 11:00 a.m. Audition appointments will last one hour.

Those interested in applying to be on the crew, please click the button below and let us know the name of the crew member. If s/he has not participated in one of our programs previously, please list past technical experience.

Fall 2023

Charlie Brown Workshop

Master Players Workshop

Like our popular Theater Production Workshops, a Master Player Workshop focuses on theater production through hands-on rehearsals, classes, and time designing and/or building props, costumes, marketing materials, etc. However, the Master Players Workshop is a more rigorous program for those cast and crew who have some past performance experience and are eager to be challenged further. Placement in the cast is by audition only. Crew placement must be pre-approved. Auditions for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown will be on August 12, 2023 and rehearsals will begin August 28, 2023. For You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the director is casting six youth with strong singing voices. If selected for the cast or crew, information will be forwarded so that parents may formally register students in the program. Tuition for the workshop is $295.

Those interested in scheduling an audition, please click the button below and indicate your preferred audition time(s) in order of preference: 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., or 11:00 a.m. Audition appointments will last one hour.

Those interested in applying to be on the crew, please click the button below and let us know the name of the crew member. If s/he has not participated in one of our programs previously, please list past technical experience.