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
Classes for the first Fall Session begin the week of Sept. 15. Four- and eight-week classes are available. Registration for four-week classes is $95; registration for eight-week classes is $150. Registration ends on Sept 9. Please note that ages and grades are merely suggested. Please contact info@actouttheatre.com with any questions.
ACT OUT LOUD: 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. Act Out Loud is a great opportunity for sensory play and exploration.
AGES: 3 to 6**
TIME: Sundays, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.
DURATION: 4 weeks
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
**Children must be bathroom independent to be left alone. Otherwise, a guardian must wait in the lobby.
ALPHABET THEATRE: Alphabet theatre is designed to help and enhance reading skills through script reading and games. Focus is placed on phonetics and sight words, while children work to read and comprehend content. Fun activity sheets will be provided to continue the learning at home.
GRADES: K-2 (suggested)
TIME: Sundays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
DURATION: 4 weeks (This course may be repeated. Content changes each session)
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
BROADWAY BOUND: Interested in exploring theatre but are unsure about committing to a full production? Perhaps you're already in love with the stage and want to focus in-depth on one or two songs AND learn choreography and scene work to accompany them? Broadway Bound may be for you. Two age groups are available.
Broadway Bound ends with a performance for family and friends.
NOTE: There are no additional fees for this class.
AGES: 11 to 14
TIME: Thursdays, 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
DURATION: 8 weeks (This course may be repeated. Content changes each session)
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
AGES: 5 to 11
TIME: Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
DURATION: 4 weeks (This course may be repeated. Content changes each session)
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
DIRECTOR'S CHAIR: Director's Chair is an 8-week workshop where participants will learn the basics of directing. Participants will choose a play from a pre-selected list and then choose an excerpt to direct. They will then learn how to walk through the entire process from creating a vision, to casting, to holding rehearsals and finally, preparing for a final performance. Participants will also act in each other’s scenes.
Director's Chair will culminate in an Evening of Scenes.
AGES: 13-19
DURATION: 8 weeks (This course may be repeated. Content changes each session)
TIME: Thursdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Dan Pittman
PRIVATE LESSONS
In addition to group classes, we currently offer private lessons and coaching 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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Public Speaking
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Formal presentations
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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 appeared as Santa in Act Out Theatre Group's production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in Summer 2025 and is currently the cook in The Legend of Sammy's Swamp. 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. In summer 2023, he, along with Kalen Churcher, costumed The Wizard of Oz for the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre's summer youth program.
At Act Out, Dan is currently preparing to direct Addams Family. 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. In 2023, he was named an area Change Maker by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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 volunteering with the theatre's youngest actors and actresses.
When she is not part of the production staff, Kalen enjoys performing. Her most recent role was Sister Mary Agatha in Murder Can Be Habit Forming, at Act Out Theatre Group. She 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. In summer 2023, she, along with Dan Pittman costumed The Wizard of Oz for the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre's summer youth program.
Kalen is currently directing The Legend of Sammy's Swamp, with a cast of adults and teens from the surrounding community. She is also preparing to direct Frozen Jr. and music direct Addams Family. She received her PhD in mass communications from Penn State University. Kalen is a professor at Wilkes University and teaches courses in public speaking, multimedia journalism, public relations, media law and cultural studies. She also coordinates Act Out Theatre Group's educational classes. In 2024, she was named an area Change Maker by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
