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 Winter Session begin on Sunday, Feb. 4. Classes run for six week; registration is $150 unless otherwise listed. Email info@actouttheatre.com to register. Registration ends on Feb. 1.
ACTING BASICS: Children will learn about basic character development, as well as how to become a character without using elaborate costumes or props. Participants will use various scenes to work voice projection, enunciation and pronunciation. A mini-performance will be held at the end of the six weeks for family and friends.
AGES: 4 to 9
TIME: Sundays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
ADULT ACTING: Adults will explore the basics of acting, including developing a character and bring a text to life. Performances will be recorded.
AGES: 18+
TIME: Sundays, 5 to 6 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Dan Pittman
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.
AGES: 3 to 5**
TIME: Sundays, 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
**Children must be bathroom independent to be left alone. Otherwise, a guardian must wait in the lobby.
ONCE UPON A TIME: Once Upon A Time offers stories, 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. Children will leave with a craft, song lyrics and other fun materials to continue the fun at home. Participants will receive their own supply caddy to take home at the end of the six weeks..
AGES: 4 to 8
TIME: Sundays, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Kalen Churcher
Act Out Theatre Group is excited to have two courses being offered this February by Scranton Improv. Scranton Improv will offer a YOUNG ADULT IMPROV class (13-17) on Sundays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and an ADULT IMPROV class on Sundays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, or to register, click here.
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 appeared as Santa in Act Out Theatre Group's production of The Land of Forgotten Toys in 2022. 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 directing Mean Girls, High School Edition. 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. He was named a 2023 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 directing the theatre's youngest actors and actresses.
When she is not part of the production staff, Kalen enjoys performing, and is currently rehearsing for the mystery, 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.
Kalenis currently directing Finding Nemo Kids and music directing Mean Girls, High School Edition. 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.
JUSTICE 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 Havarti in Wine, Cheese and Murder in January 2022.