The Dance and Dramatic Arts school is designed to develop talent and imagination while building confidence, self-image, and the joy of performing. We strive to inspire children, teaching students to appreciate drama as a form of communication and expression, whether they are aspiring performers or simply taking class for fun.
Our professionally trained staff follows a creative and progressive curriculum that allows students to hone their skills and grow as individuals with confidence and pride. We are proud to offer a dynamic and comprehensive theater program comprised of classes and performance opportunities for preschoolers through adults. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, the Dance and Dramatic Arts School has a class for you!
Classes
DRAMATIC ARTS
THEATRE PERFORMANCE COMPANIES: KIDS AND YOUTH THEATRE
JCC Kids and Youth Theatre teaches acting and musical theater skills, with all students performing in a fully staged musical with sets, costumes, and lighting! All students will be cast in the show! Our performance companies offer children and teens the opportunity to shine in an environment of teamwork, with a focus on creativity and experiences that build self-confidence. Extra rehearsals will be added leading up to the show. Students in Kids and Youth Theatre will have an opportunity to take a Broadway workshop and see a Broadway show together! *additional fee for trip to NYC.
Performances are open and welcome to the community! Tickets: $12 JCC Member/$16 Public general seating. Tickets may be purchased in the performances section of this page.
JCC Kids Theatre
Ages: 1st-5th Grades
Beauty and the Beast Jr.
The Beast must learn to love and be loved, to break the curse and be transformed to his former self. But time is running out!
Performances: April 14 at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm
JCC Youth Theatre
Ages: Grades 6-10
Participation in JCC Youth Theatre is by teacher recommendations only.
Contact Jenna Mate at 201.408.1495 | jmate@jccotp.org for Youth Theatre requirements and details.
Into the Woods
A Baker and his Wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door. The couple embarks on a quest – swindling, deceiving and stealing from such already-victimized characters as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack – to get the special objects required to break the spell.
Performances: May 19 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm
NEW! The Power of Expression!
Ages: 7th-12th Grade
Your voice matters. In a safe and inviting space, students will learn how to express thoughts and feelings through creative outlets such as monologues, scenes or songs. The instructor, along with a Social Work intern will provide a process for feelings to be shared and then transformed into pieces of performance art. Students will have the option to share these pieces with an audience.
Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm
January 30 – June 4, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
DRAMA CLASSES
Little Actors
Ages: Pre-School 4 Year Olds
In Little Actors, we stretch our imaginations and have cooperative fun! Students act out short stories and engage in activities which encourage physical and vocal expressiveness. Students build skills of confidence, communication, self-expression, language, listening, sharing and teamwork.
Thursdays from 3:30-4:15 pm
Classes: February 1 – June 6, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Musical Theatre
Students are given the opportunity to work on a variety of material from popular musical theater shows. Students will learn and implement musical theater performance techniques through scenes and songs. This class will further enhance the student’s skill in all aspects of musical theater performance. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Musical Theatre 1
Ages: K-2nd Grade
Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45 pm
January 30 – June 4, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Wednesdays from 5:00-5:45 pm
January 31 – June 5, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Musical Theatre 2
Ages: 3rd-4th Grade
Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 pm
January 30 – June 4, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Musical Theatre 3
Ages: 5th-6th Grade
Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00pm
January 30 – June 4, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Improv Acting
Get ready to laugh, learn and grow! In Improv Acting, students gain confidence, conquer shyness and learn new skills, while having fun! Improvisation teaches us how to develop characters, stay present in the moment, through storytelling and self-expression, while feeling creative excitement and having a lot of laughs! Students enjoy learning theatre and improv activities, scene work, and monologue. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Improv Acting 1
Ages: K-2nd Grade
Wednesdays from 4:00-4:45 pm
January 31 – June 5, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Improv Acting 2
Ages: 3-4 Grade
Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm
February 1 – June 6, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Improv Acting 3
Ages: 5th-6th Grade
Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm
February 1 – June 6, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Improv Acting 4
Ages: 7th-8th Grade
Thursdays from 6:30-7:30pm
February 1 – June 6, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Teen Acting
Ages: 5th-8th Grade
Teen Acting is for creative students looking to develop their acting skills. This class will focus on acting technique through acting exercises, ensemble work, monologues, and scene work. Students will use self-exploration to expand their performance ranges and take on more challenging roles with confidence. Students will learn to make their characters more believable and bring real feelings to their performances. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00pm
January 31 – June 5, 2024
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Public
Adult Classes
Musical Theater Workshop for Adults (ages 18 and up)
Why should kids have all the fun? Taught by Vocal Coach and Director Jenna Mate, this class is an invitation to explore your voice through Musical Theater repertoire. Performers will work on vocal technique, acting through song, movement, and more!
6 Classes: Tue 11/14 – 12/19 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM $150/$180
Adult Improv Acting
Get ready to let loose! Learn and build your ability to respond to the unexpected. Mental Agility! In Improv with Adam, everyone will gain confidence, conquer shyness and learn new valuable skills, unleash humor, while seriously having fun! Improvisation teaches us how to create NOW…on the spot. Here you can let some of the characters in your head out and create new ones. All will get better at staying present, in the moment and trusting your natural instincts. Get out of your head for an hour. Vanquish fantasy thinking of tomorrows or yesterdays. Less editing, censoring thoughts and overthinking. Live through storytelling and self-expression, while feeling creative excitement and having a lot of laughs! Students enjoy learning theatre and improv activities, scene work, and monologue. From Broadway to Film and Television to Commercials, Radio shows, Cartoons, Video Games and even stand up comedy, this Emmy Award winning instructor has done it all. Each class is freshly made weekly…by the students!
10 Thu 9/21-11/30 7:30-8:30pm $150/$180
Private Dance, Voice and Acting Lessons
Available to students enrolled in dance dramatic arts classes
Ages 5-Adult
Dance: Private dance is for students who are passionate about dancing and inspired to excel in their art. It is an extension of a child’s initial dance training.
Voice: Vocal training is tailor-made to each individual singer’s needs and goals. Learn the proper vocal technique to increase vocal range and strength, create a beautiful tone and maintain a healthy voice.
Acting: For serious young actors to work on audition monologues or for scenes for films, plays and TV series.
1 hour lesson: $83/$100
45-minute lesson: $70/$84
30-minute lesson: $55/$67
For more information about private lessons, please contact Jenna Mate at jmate@jccotp.org | 201.408.1495
Beauty and the Beast JR.
Beauty and the Beast JR.
Into the Woods
Into the Woods
Adult Dance and Drama
Early Childhood Center
JCC Dance School
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