A C T O U T T H E A T R E G R O U P LLC
is primarily a workshop-based youth/children's theatre focusing on theatre education and encouraging creativity, teamwork and self esteem.
ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER
We love creating theatre magic with our performers and bringing that magic to the community. Now, we are excited to broaden our offerings by adding classes and other opportunities for area children, teens and adults. Currently, we are registering students for group and private classes and lessons. Please browse through our offerings to see what might interest you.
If you have any specific questions about classes/lessons please email Dan Pittman, artistic director, at info@actouttheatre.com.
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cURRENT Class offerings
Current class dates:
Our next session of classes begins on Tuesday, February 21. The last day to register for classes is Friday, Feb. 17. Classes run weekly for six weeks.
MUSIC & MOVEMENT
Our winter Music & Movement class is designed to get boys and girls on their feet and moving to music! Participants will focus on moving to a beat and learning some basic dance steps.
Little ones will also be encouraged to also get creative and come up with their own movements. This is not a formal dance class.
These classes are unique every session and are designed to be repeated.
Ages 4 to 8 (3 year olds will be considered; we encourage a meeting first)
Offered Tuesdays from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
Begins February 21
Instructor: Kalen Churcher
$100 per 6-week session.
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information or to register
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INTRO TO THEATRE
Do you know someone who loves to be the center of attention or who dreams of being on stage? Maybe you know someone who's a little shy and reluctant to get involved. This may just be the class for them!
Intro to theatre introduces our littlest actors and soon-to-be theatre lovers to the basics of theatre. We'll work on stage etiquette, stage directions, basic performance activities and music. Participants will be on stage as well as off-stage. This is a great way to expose little ones the arts, whether or not they've been on stage before.
Ages 5 to 9
Offered Tuesdays from 7 to 7:45 p.m.
Begins February 21
Instructor: Kalen Churcher
$100 per 6-week session.
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information or to register
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ACT OUT LOUD
Our Act Out Loud Classes are designed especially for our youngest participants and are a great way to let children explore music and sound in a safe space.
Children are encouraged to ‘make noise’ and create movement as they learn through play in an open environment. Participants will be introduced to – and allowed to play – various instruments as they express their creativity. These activities will help teach and/or reaffirm listening skills, turn-taking, basic directions and opposites.
These classes are unique every session and may be repeated.
Ages 3 to 6 (parents of those children not yet potty-trained are asked to stay in the lobby)
Offered Thursdays from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Begins February 23
Instructor: Kalen Churcher
$100 per 6-week session.
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information or to register
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ONCE UPON A TIME
Our Once Upon a Time Classes offer diverse stories from a variety of authors, songs and crafts to boys and girls. Each week introduces a different story or musical and includes activities and a song themed to that selection.
Boys and girls will leave with a craft, song lyrics and other materials to continue the fun at home.
Themes may include, It isn’t Easy Being Green; Do you Want to Build a Snowman? and There’s No Place Like Home.
These classes are unique every session and are designed to be repeated.
Ages 5 to 9
Offered Thursdays from 6:40 to 7:40 p.m.
Begins February 23
Instructor: Kalen Churcher
$100 per 6-week session
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information or to register.
PERFORMING FOR THE STAGE
Performing for the stage classes provide specific tips and techniques for stage performances, with emphasis on conveying emotions and using non-verbals to enhance the spoken word. Participants will also be able to choose a monologue/small scene or song to work on throughout the six-weeks. Depending on interest and progress, students will have the opportunity to work on two pieces.
These classes are unique every session and are designed to be repeated.
Ages 10+
Offered Thursdays from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Begins February 23
Instructor: Kalen Churcher
$100 per 6-week session
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information or to register.
PRIVATE LESSONS
In addition to group classes, we currently offer private lessons in:
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Dance
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Theatre
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Audition Prep
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Music
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Vocal Performance
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...and more!
Contact the theatre at info@actouttheatre.com for more information.
WHO WE ARE
DAN PITTMAN is the owner and artistic director of Act Out Theatre Group LLC. He has a bachelor's degree in musical theatre from DeSales University, and is a NEPTA nominated choreographer and accomplished director, and performer. He has worked at a number of community theatres throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and has also served as a substitute teacher in Luzerne, Franklin and New Cumberland counties.
Although Dan spends most of his time directing and choreographing, he will be appearing as Santa in Act Out Theatre Group's production of The Land of Forgotten Toys. In Summer 2019, he was an ensemble/dance ensemble member of Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre's production of Beauty and the Beast. He also ran the 2017 and 2019 children and teen summer workshops at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville. His 2019 workshops at the Music Box were both nominated for NEPTA awards.
At Act Out, Dan most recently directed Dinner at 8, Dead by 9. He is a former recipient of the NEPA Business Journal's 20 Under 40 and was also a nominee for Cultural Ambassador of the Year in 2020 and 2022.
KALEN CHURCHER has been active in community theatre since 2014 as an actor and production staff. She is the primary costumer for Act Out Theatre Group LLC. and can most often be found directing the theatre's youngest actors and actresses. She most recently performed in Act Out Theatre's murder mystery, Dinner at 8, Dead by 9.
When she is not part of the production staff, Kalen enjoys performing and most recently performed as Madam de la Grande Bouche (aka the operatic Wardrobe) in Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre's 2019 production of Beauty and the Beast. She also ran Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre's summer theatre workshop in 2017 and 2019, as well as its online workshop in 2020 and 2021. Both 2017 and 2019 workshops were nominated for NEPTAs. She is currently directing A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol and The Land of Forgotten Toys. She will be directing the children's ensemble of Matilda this January.
Kalen received her PhD in mass communications from Penn State University. She is a professor at Wilkes University and teaches courses in public speaking, multimedia journalism, public relations, media law and cultural studies.
JUSTICE TWIST is a non binary drag king currently residing in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Justice is best known for their obsession with glitter, over the top costumes, quirky numbers and live vocals. They are the 2019/2020 MR NEPA. PRIDEFEST, Mr. Pottsville Pride 2021, Lebanon Grand Divo 2021, and Mr. Queen of Beauty Pennsylvania 2021, and Mr. Act Out 2022.
When not performing, they can be found costume designing and doing photography. Outside of drag, They sit on the NEPA PRIDE scholarship committee and are the arts and entertainment co-chair for QUEER NEPA.
At Act Out, Justice most recently appeared as Annelle in Steel Magnolias (Drag Edition). They also played the role of Havarti in Wine, Cheese and Murder in January 2022.