About Classes at SCCT

Drama is a fundamental tool in developing an understanding of the ideas, attitudes, beliefs, and feelings of people in different circumstances, cultures, and times. As such, it is basic to the education of all children. The emphasis on developmental processes and activity-oriented methods develop powerful modes of learning that are applicable to all areas of academic curriculum. The study of drama is basic in educating the emotions for controlled use, strengthening the imagination for creative self-expression, disciplining the voice and body for purposeful use, and providing an understanding and critical appreciation for theatre arts.

Register for classes, camps, and workshops here.

REFUNDS/CANCELLATION If you cancel no later than 10 days before your first class, tuition less a $30 Class Cancellation Fee will be refunded. If you cancel less than 10 days before class begins, no refund or credit will be issued. If plans change at the last minute, we will gladly switch you to another class if space is available. However, fees for classes cannot be transferred to other semesters. SCCT reserves the right to cancel classes that have not met enrollment minimums before the first class. Classes, faculty, and schedule are subject to change.
Please email Anna with any questions.

Our Curriculum

When deciding which class is right for your child, you may be interested in reviewing the “soft skills” learned in each class. We aim to leverage theatre education as a tool to enhance students’ social-emotional skills, such as problem-solving, leadership, communication, self-control, emotional management, and more. See the breakdown of skills learned in each class here: The Social-Emotional Learning Benefits of Theatre Education

The curriculum is sequential and provides for the development of knowledge and skills in increasing levels of competence. Areas of study include creative drama, acting, improvisation, scene and monologue study, audition techniques, rehearsal methods, character analysis, script analysis, theatre history, stage management, directing, technical theatre (scenery, painting, costumes, props), and musical theatre. Progress is best seen through consistent and continuing work.

It is our belief that theatre arts training is like any other form of training – the more you do it, the better you get. Just as a dancer takes class after class of ballet, or a soccer player trains year after year with a team, theatre arts training is most effective when the student is repeatedly exposed to vocabulary, theories, and exercises. At SCCT, we hope to provide a variety of creative opportunities that encourage creative thinking, expression and collaboration, develop verbal and social skills, and bolster confidence and self-esteem. In the past year, over 2,000 students participated in our training classes and camps.

A Progression of Learning

A student enters classes appropriate to his/her grade level and interest (Exploration, Story Drama, Process, Improv, Tech or Musical Theatre).  For most students one hour of class per week is plenty.  They begin to understand performance, ensemble and analysis as it relates to theatre arts.  As they learn and hone skills, they will be given more to do on their own.  Beginning classes are geared for fun at all grade levels, but the student will be given tasks for which s/he is responsible–memorizing a part, rehearsing a mime skit, preparing basic character work.   Individual outside work makes class time more productive and fun for the whole class.

Younger students who continue to be interested in drama will continue to take Exploration or Process classes (for at least a year and then may progress to Specialty or Production level classes (again for at least a year).  Classes should not be hurried through.  Performance skills take time to develop.  Sometimes theatre “games” are used in more than one class, but the student will be gaining skills that make the games different every time they are played.  The instructor is the best judge of developmental stages, and if a student is not being challenged, the instructor will be the first to suggest a class shift.  It is difficult at this level for a student to understand what s/he doesn’t know. Please email your teacher for questions about what your child needs to work on and when s/he should move into more challenging classes.

Before moving into a Production level class students should be able to: name the parts of the stage, use abbreviations for stage directions and blocking notation, be able to define basic theatrical terms, understand CROoWw, and be familiar with Lessac energies and Laban qualities. In addition to these skills, students should be excited to take on more responsibility and more work that continues outside of scheduled meetings. They should be willing to repeat material weekly for rehearsal and complete reading assignments in a week. Due to the nature of Production level classes, absenteeism is problematic, so your family should be in a position to make attendance a priority.

Students are only eligible for Production level classes by teacher recommendation.  Your current SCCT teacher is always the best reference for whether your child is ready to move up.  Please email them regarding your child’s progression if your student has an interest in moving into a Production Level class.   If your student has extensive acting experience outside of SCCT classes, but does not yet have a teacher to refer them, you may set up a time to be assessed by our Principal Teaching Artist, Traysie Amick, via email traysie@scchildrenstheatre.org.

This program has been made possible, in part, by BMW Manufacturing Company LLC in partnership with the Metropolitan Arts Council.