Workshops and Classes
ABOUT OUR
PROGRAMS
The Barn Playhouse is now open year-round with education programming for all ages! Our classes and workshops continue offering excellent, professional-level training to local young artists with an interest in the performing arts.
Whether you've been involved in theater for years or are looking to try something new, our school year programs are the perfect fit for you!
Our programs allow participants to:
Hone theatrical skills
Work with industry experts who will give direct, personal feedback
Explore creativity through acting, singing, dancing, design, and more
Meet new young people and grow in confidence together while developing shared passions
We are pleased to announce NLBP Education’s
2024-2025 CLASSES
ABOUT OUR CLASSES
LOCATION
New London Barn Playhouse’s Fleming Center (unless otherwise specified)
KEARSARGE ELEMENTARY TRANSPORTATION
Students who attend Kearsarge schools will have the option to meet up with the Education Director, Sage Tokach, at Kearsarge Elementary when the school day ends and walk over to the Fleming Center with her. Sage will supervise these students on the Barn complex until everyone else arrives. Other students may also be dropped off early, as long as these needs are communicated to sage@nlbarn.org.
We are working to expand our transportation options! If your child needs a ride to/from the Barn Playhouse, please email sage@nlbarn.org to discuss options.
TUITION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE!
Tuition assistance is available thanks to a generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust with a shared commitment to make theater education accessible to all. Please email a completed Tuition Assistance Form to the Education Director at sage@nlbarn.org before registering to apply for full or partial tuition assistance options.
K–12th Grade Workshops
Separate Beginner & Advanced groups
Mon. November 11, 9am–3pm
(Veteran’s Day)
We sing all the time during productions and classes, but we don’t always have time to perfect vocal technique or build skills to read sheet music. Beginners will learn about their range, vocal health, basic sheet reading skills, and blending their voice. Advanced students will learn to find their parts on a piano, strengthen and mix head and chest voice, and find harmonies.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: $75
Mon. January 20, 9am–3pm
(Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Learn about theatre artists who made changes in their communities, and create age-appropriate art projects about topics you care about! In this workshop, Black artists will teach students about important moments in theatre history and inspire them to be the change they want to see in their community.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: $75
Wed. February 5, 9am–3pm
(Kearsarge Inservice Day)
Learn to patch, upgrade, and style old clothes, bags, and hats so they feel new and personal to you! In this workshop, Anica Scekic Gillespie, local makeup artist and designer, will teach students to take inspiration from nature and materials around us to create something new and useful.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: $75
Sat. February 22, 9am–3pm
Learn basic singing, dancing, and acting techniques with theatre professionals! This is a great opportunity for first-time theatre students and students who want to brush up on the basics and have fun performing familiar shows and music. This program is a partnership with Newport Opera House Association.
Location: Newport Opera House
Tuition: $35
Upcoming Class Series
Continuous classes and groups for teenagers
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
Every other Thursday
7:30–8:30 PM
Sept. 26–Nov. 21
Improv develops important problem-solving and communication skills that are useful in many areas of life! We will begin with drop-in jam sessions that focus on short form and long form comedic improv before holding auditions for a regular teen troupe that performs occasional shows.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: FREE
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
Tuesdays
6:30–8:30 PM
Jan. 7–May 6
Improve your music theatre dance and singing technique in our partnership class with Dance Arts Academy! The first hour of each Tuesday will focus on voice, and the second will focus on dance, eventually combining the skills for a final showcase. This series will continue the learning from our fall class AND welcome new students into the program.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: $300 (16 sessions)
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
Every other Thursday
7:30–8:30 PM
Jan. 16–May 8
Improv develops important problem-solving and communication skills that are useful in many areas of life! This series will focus on short form and long from comedy improv. Drop-in to jam with us or join the regular teen troupe and perform occasional shows.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: FREE
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL GROUP
First Meeting:
Monday, January 27
3:30–5:30pm
Join a community of LGBTQ+ youth and allies for social events like game nights, movies, trivia, karaoke, and field trips to local pride events. This group will also work with community partners to plan New London Pride in June 2025. After the first meeting, we will schedule future events based on participant’s schedules.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: FREE
HIGH SCHOOL WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Friday–Sunday, April 11–13
9:00am–1:00pm
Showcase: April 13 @ 1:00pm
We are seeking 10 high school students with and without disabilities to join us for a weekend of theatre creation with professional artists! This grant-funded project began in Orlando when young adults with disabilities joined together with collegiate theatre students to create an original show together based on conversations about their dreams. In this workshop, participants will build an inclusive creative community, perform excerpts from the Orlando show, and devise some new scenes together with guest artists from the original project.
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
Tuition: FREE (space is limited)
Note: Transportation is provided by KRHS on Friday, and the Barn Playhouse will provide transportation from students’ homes as needed on Saturday and Sunday.
Photos from the Daring to Dream project in Orlando:
Questions?
For questions regarding school year programming,
please email sage@nlbarn.org
STAY IN TOUCH!
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TUITION ASSISTANCE
We at the Barn believe an education in the performing arts should be available and accessible to everyone. We know many people are currently dealing with loss of income and financial instability in light of COVID-19 and the subsequent economic disruptions. So it is with great pride that we offer Tuition Assistance at any level needed.
We know how meaningful theater can be, and we understand the impact of that shared experience. Especially in these difficult times, coming together to sing, act, design, and laugh can be transformative.
Tuition assistance is available thanks to a generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust with a shared commitment to make theater education accessible to all. If you are in need of tuition assistance, please CLICK HERE to download our Tuition Assistance Form and email the completed form to education@nlbarn.org before registering for our education programs.
We also offer TRANSPORTATION to students upon request. If students would like a staff member to walk them from KRES-NL, they can mark that option on their registration form for each program. Students who need transportation via car can CLICK HERE to download our Transportation Form, and email the completed form to education@nlbarn.org.