6th-8th Grade Acting SOT | Matthews Playhouse

6th-8th Grade Acting

Join our 6th-8th Grade Acting class and experience a weekly fusion of improvisation, monologue work, and scene study! Our year-long program provides continuous growth through three core components: skill-building, professional preparation, and hands-on rehearsal experience. The full year culminates in an exciting spring production, giving students the opportunity to showcase their talent in a live performance.

Tuition

Only $800 for the entire year

$400 due upon registration (Enrollment + Training + Production Reservation)
$400 due January 1st (Production Fee: rehearsal + technical production + performance experience)

*Registration closes September 1st

*All rehearsal, audition, and performance dates are released early (June 1, 2026) to allow families time to plan.*

Participation requires full commitment during the production period.

What to Expect

Students will train in acting, voice, movement, and ensemble work while building toward a fully staged production.

Skills developed include:

Character development and storytelling
Vocal performance and ensemble singing
Movement and choreography
Rehearsal discipline and stage readiness
Confidence performing in a full production environment

Production Experience

Students will participate in a fully staged theatrical production where every performer is featured as part of the ensemble cast. Through rehearsal, collaboration, and performance, students experience the excitement of bringing a story to life on stage with costumes, lighting, and professional production support.

Spring Production Commitment
(Required Participation)

Because this is a performance-based program, participation in the February–March production period requires full commitment from all cast members.

Students and families must carefully review the following requirements:

Students may miss a maximum of TWO rehearsals total during the production period
Students may NOT miss ANY Tech Week rehearsals under any circumstances, except documented illness or family emergency
Illness and family emergencies will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Students must be fully available for all scheduled performances
Performance conflicts cannot be accommodated once casting is finalized

If a student is unable to attend Tech Week for any reason other than documented illness or family emergency, they may be removed from the production.

A mandatory parent information meeting will be held prior to rehearsals.

How to Choose the Right School of Theatre Program

We want families to feel confident selecting the option that best fits their student and your family’s schedule.

NEW THIS YEAR — students register directly into a specific production track from the beginning of the season, allowing families to plan ahead with all major rehearsal, Tech Week, and performance dates provided in advance.

STEP 1 — Start with Your Schedule First

Before choosing a program, families should carefully review:

✔ Weekly class day/time

✔ Spring rehearsal schedule

✔ Tech Week dates

✔ Performance weekend

✔ Overall family time commitment

The full calendar is provided in advance so families can plan accordingly before registering.

STEP 2 — Choose the Program Experience

Once you have reviewed your family’s availability and commitment level, explore the available production options by grade level to find the best fit for your student’s interests, age group, and performance goals.

Grades 3–8 have multiple production track options available, so families are encouraged to compare:

✔ Class days

✔ Rehearsal schedules

✔ Performance weekends

✔ Overall commitment level

Each production track offers a different rehearsal schedule, performance weekend, and overall experience while maintaining the same School of Theatre training philosophy and educational focus.

She Kills Monsters

Students in 6–8 Acting Students will participate in a full-year theatre training and production experience culminating in a fully staged spring production of She Kills Monsters (non-musical).

This program builds toward performance through structured training, audition preparation, and a fully supported rehearsal process led by professional teaching artists.

CONTENT & EDUCATIONAL THEMATIC OVERVIEW

She Kills Monsters engages with complex, real-world themes as part of its storytelling and character development. These elements are included intentionally as part of the educational and theatrical experience, allowing students to explore layered characters and meaningful storytelling in a supported environment.

The production includes exploration of:

grief and loss
mental health and emotional resilience
identity and self-discovery
relationships and interpersonal conflict
LGBTQ+ identity and representation

These themes are approached through structured direction, guided rehearsal practices, and age-appropriate educational framing. Students are supported in understanding character motivation, emotional truth, and the responsibility of storytelling through ensemble work.

This production is designed to deepen empathy, strengthen performance skills, and encourage thoughtful engagement with complex narrative material.

Families are encouraged to review these themes when selecting participation in this production.

Class Time

Wednesdays | 7:00-9:00 pm

*On the first day of class (9/8), we ask that both you and your student come in together for a brief introduction meeting. During this time, we will go over what the program will look like, what to expect throughout the session, important procedures, communication expectations, and answer any questions you may have before we begin!*

Foundational Phase (Sept-Jan)

Class Dates

Wednesdays | 7:00-9:00 pm

Classes Begin September 9th
September 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11
January 6, 13
Auditions: Wednesday, January 20th (During Class Time)

Key January Dates

Auditions (*by appointment only*)
- Wednesday, January 20th | 7:00-9:00 pm
Callbacks (if needed)
- Monday, January 25th | (Time TBA)
Mandatory Parent Meeting
- Monday February 1st | 7:00-8:00 pm
  - At least one adult must attend with the student no exceptions!