Teen Workshops

Our Teen Workshops are monthly seminars where students grades 7-12 participate in hands-on workshops led by Des Moines area theatre professionals. Each month we feature a new topic and a new expert. The teen workshop program provides teens the opportunity to work on theatre skills including audition prep, improv and technical theatre training.

Details

• All teens grades 7-12 are welcome! No experience required!
• Our workshops are one Saturday a month from 1:00-4:00 PM
• A $9 fee can be prepaid online or paid upon arrival
• Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins are always welcome! You can pre-register here.
• Come to one or come to all these workshops are made to be low commitment and fit your schedule

2019-20 Schedule

Audition Series: Song Selection with Katy Merriman
January 18, 2020, 1:00-4:00 PM

Whether you’re attending your first musical audition or you’re preparing to audition for your dream college program, Cloris Award winner and Playhouse artistic director Katy Merriman will help you find the perfect song to nail that audition. The first half of the workshop will consist of Katy’s top audition tips and a crash course in finding the right song for your next project. For the last half, Katy will provide individualized coaching for those with a prepared and memorized audition cut. Those wanting to sing and be coached by Katy MUST pre-register, as spots is limited. If you are just looking to learn about song selection and watch the coachings you do NOT need to pre-register.

Lighting Design with David Kilpatrick
February 8, 2020, 1:00-4:00 PM

Further develop your skills and understanding of the art of lighting for stage through this hands-on workshop. See the difference a change of angle or color can make to an entire lighting look. Led by David Kilpatrick, seasoned lighting designer and executive director of the Playhouse, you will get the chance to create your own lighting looks and learn the basics of different lighting instruments. If you are looking to become a better theatre technician, get your hands on a light board, or explore the backstage side of theatre, this workshop is for you.

Audition Series: Monologue Selection with Erin Horst
March 28, 2020, 1:00-4:00 PM

The right audition monologue is key to showcasing your strengths and abilities. Led by Erin Horst, Cloris Award winner and assistant professor of theatre arts at Drake University, you will learn how to pick the perfect monologue and prepare it for the next big audition. Those who pre-register will get the chance to be coached one-on-one by Erin on a monologue they prepare in advance. This workshop is perfect for you if you are getting ready to audition for college theatre programs or are hoping to take your auditions to the next level.

Audition Series: Dance Basics with Megan Helmers
April 4, 2020, 1:00-4:00 PM

You don’t need to be a prima ballerina to impress at a dance call. Let two-time Cloris Award winning choreographer Megan Helmers give you the tools to rock that next dance audition. In this workshop, you will learn a dance combination and get the answers to questions like “How do I pick up choreography quickly?,” “What are basic dance steps I should learn?,” “How do I get the most out of my dance audition?,” and “How can I show-off even if I don’t have dance experience?” This workshop is perfect for you if you’re looking to gain confidence to tackle your fear of dance calls, if you just want to gain some experience dancing, or if you are looking to be encouraging and helpful future choreographers.

Directing 101 with Brad Dell
May 16, 2020, 1:00-4:00 PM

Be bold. Learn to direct for the stage with acclaimed director Brad Dell, director of theatre at Iowa State University. You will develop a piece from initial stages, receiving expert feedback and guidance. This workshop allows you to practice essential tools of directing. You will get hands-on experience directing your own short scene as well as act in other directors’ scenes. This workshop is perfect for you if you want to try your hand at directing, explore more roles in theatre, or become a more developed and seasoned actor.