Middle School Actors Workshop is a dynamic one-week program designed to help students develop their acting, creative expression, and public speaking skills. The program provides a safe and supportive environment where students can explore and develop their unique talents while gaining confidence in their abilities.
Through daily monologue and scene work, students will learn how to captivate an audience and effectively communicate their message. In addition, a variety of elective classes will be offered to help students develop skills in areas such as improvisation, script writing, and character development.
Our experienced instructors will provide personalized feedback to each student, helping them identify areas for improvement and build upon their strengths. At the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a final performance, demonstrating their growth and accomplishments.
Whether students are new to acting or have prior experience, Middle School Actors Workshop offers a fun and challenging experience that will help them develop lifelong skills in communication, teamwork, and creative expression.
Click the tabs below to learn more about this program.
Ensemble Scene Work is a key element of theater that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. The Middle School Actors Workshop will provide students with the opportunity to hone their skills in ensemble acting by practicing exercises that help them project their voice, tell stories through physical movement, and establish emotional and intellectual connections with their fellow actors.
Over the course of the one-week program, students will work on a range of scenes and monologues, practicing the art of ensemble acting and learning how to support their fellow actors while also shining in their own right. The workshop will culminate in a final performance, showcasing the students' growth and talents.
In addition to the core curriculum, students will have the opportunity to participate in elective workshops led by our experienced instructors. These electives vary based on the interests of the students and include options such as improvisation, reader's theater, audition workshops, and mask-making. Through these electives, students can explore new areas of interest and develop their skills in other aspects of theater.
Throughout the workshop, instructors will provide individualized feedback to each student, helping them identify areas for improvement and build upon their strengths. By the end of the program, students will have gained a deeper understanding of ensemble acting and developed valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and creative expression. The Middle School Actors Workshop is a dynamic and rewarding experience that will prepare students to confidently perform on stage in a variety of settings.
Camps for rising 6th - 8th graders have three price options:
Day Camper: Day Campers check in Sunday with dinner provided after check-in and then enjoy curriculum Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. Meals are not provided with Day Camp Tuition, however campers can bring a sack lunch or purchase a lunch package from the dining hall for a small additional fee.
Extended Day: Extended Day Campers check in Sunday with dinner provided after check-in and then enjoy curriculum and recreation Monday - Friday from 9am to 9pm, with lunch and dinner included in the dining hall.
Overnight: Overnight campers check in before dinner on Sunday and check out at 5pm on Friday. All meals and shared dorm accommodations are provided.
Lunch in the dining hall (included for overnight & extended day campers; day campers can purchase an optional lunch package or bring a lunch)
1:00 pm
Recreation
1:30 pm
Acting workshop
3:30 pm
Elective 1
5:00 pm
Day camper check-out
5:30 pm
Dinner in the dining hall (overnight & extended)
6:30 pm
Electives 2
8:00 pm
Evening recreation activities
9:00 pm
Extended day camper check-out
9:30 pm
Floor check
Education Unlimited believes in small-group, immersive learning with subject matter experts and experienced teachers. We strive to provide industry-leading instruction to all of our students and hold all staff to the highest possible standards. Staff assignments vary by program and location. Some of our recent staff members for this program include:
Gerry Weiner, MA - Instructor
Gerry Wiener is a drama teacher with a Masters in English Education from New York University. He has taught beginning and advanced levels of drama as well as musical theatre, choir, and English with an emphasis on arts integration for over 25 years in Martinez, CA. He was both a participant and later a presenter with the California Arts Project, sharing drama techniques with fellow educators in the Bay Area. Gerry has worked with junior high students in summer musical theatre workshops at The Head Royce School in Oakland and has directed and produced over 50 plays and musicals in Martinez, Berkeley, and Dansville, NY. He has performed in community theater productions and has sung and recorded with choirs including the UC Berkeley Chamber Choir and Vox Populi, In Gerry’s classes, students work collaboratively in a positive and creative setting to find their voices and explore myriad dramatic and musical techniques, building confidence that will serve them in all aspects of life.
Casey Ann Hayward, MA - Instructor
Casey Ann Hayward is a teacher with a Master of Arts in Educational Theatre from New York University. As a seasoned performer and teaching artist, Casey Ann has a natural ability to empower students to find their own voice and confidence in front of a crowd, whether it be on stage as a performer or public speaker. Her background in educating youth is extensive; she has taught at the National Youth Drama School, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, and taught at The West Tisbury School in Massachusetts.
Casey Ann is also an experienced performer, director, and playwright. Her original play about the history and politics of genetics, “Gene Play”, co-written with Jonah Lipsky, debuted at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. She has been involved in the production of numerous performances from the TONY awards to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to her love of the performing arts, Casey Ann has also been a certified Pilates instructor since 2011.
James Webb, PhD - Camp Director
Dr. James Webb is a seasoned instructor and lecturer with a PhD in Educational Theater from New York University. He has taught at numerous colleges and universities in the greater New York City area, with courses ranging from Fundamentals of Acting to Interpersonal and Vocal Communications. Prior to spending his summer months with Education Unlimited, Dr. Webb spent 14 years as the managing director of the Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre Program in Tallahassee, Florida.
Dr. Webb is a seasoned actor of over fifty stage productions; he has held roles that vary from Scar in The Lion King to Booker T. in Ragtime. Dr. Webb has been the recipient of numerous honors and accolades throughout his career, honored for both his original playwrights and acting. In addition to his time on stage, he has appeared in numerous films and done commercial and voiceover work. Dr. Webb also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The University of Florida and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from Florida A&M University.
