VACT Fall 2026 Drama and Music Classes!
Registration Opens Thursday August 27th at 9 am!
Registration Opens Thursday, 8/27 at 9am!
FALL DRAMA AND MUSIC CLASSES
VACT is excited to once again offer a variety of theater classes for kindergarten through eighth grade. In these semester long classes, students will have the opportunity to learn about the art of theater and build their skills and self confidence.
Classes are by grade level, based on student’s grade in 2026-27 school year (no exceptions).
Classes meet once a week.
Class size limited to 15 students; except show choir which is open to 50 students.
Classes run the week of October 5th through the week of December 14th. No classes 11/23-11/27 (week of Thanksgiving).
All classes are held at the Dee Baldock Performing Arts Center (VACT Building) 103 Lincoln Street, Verona.
There will be a final sharing during classes the week of December 14th, during the last class of the semester.
Separate classes will be offered for spring semester, but some classes may be repeated in both fall and spring.
Please see our camp and classes policies page HERE for additional class policies.
Questions? Email the VACT Education Department at education@vact.org
Gr. K-2 Classes
Gr. K-2 Imagination Playhouse Tuesdays, 3:40-4:25pm
October 6th - December 15th (No Class November 24th)
Price: $145
Step into a world where anything is possible! In Imagination Playhouse, students will use costumes, props, and their creativity to dream up characters, create stories, and bring them to life through acting and play. Each week offers new opportunities to explore storytelling, character development, and imaginative expression. No prior acting experience is required, just bring your imagination and a willingness to play! Students will build confidence, creativity, and teamwork while having fun creating their own mini adventures onstage.
Gr. K-2 Little Act-ors
Thursdays, 3:40-4:25pm
October 8th - December 17th (No Class November 26th)
Price: $145
Lights, camera, action! In Little Act-ors, students will learn and rehearse a short, age-appropriate skit or play from beginning to end. Over 10 weeks, they’ll explore characters, practice lines, learn simple staging, and build confidence as young performers. No prior acting experience is required, just bring your imagination and enthusiasm! Students will work together as a cast while discovering the joy of storytelling and putting on a show.
Gr. K-2 Behind the Scenes: Stage Crafters
Wednesdays, 5:20-6:20pm
October 7th - December 16th (No Class November 25th)
Price: $190
Ever wonder how a show comes to life behind the scenes? In Stage Crafters, students will explore the creative world of theater design through fun, age-appropriate projects focused on costumes, props, sets, and more. Each week, young theater-makers will create and experiment while learning how all the little details help tell a story. No prior experience is required, just bring your creativity and imagination! Students will have the chance to make their own behind-the-scenes creations while discovering that there’s much more to theater than what happens onstage.
Gr. 6-8 Classes
Gr. 6-8 Acting: Dramatic Much?
Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15pm
October 7th - December 16th (No Class November 25th)
Price: $190
Ready to turn the drama all the way up? In Dramatic Much?, students will dive into the wildly exaggerated world of melodrama and over-the-top acting. They’ll explore big emotions, dramatic reactions, larger-than-life characters, and hilariously intense scenes while learning how to commit to bold acting choices. No prior acting experience is required, just bring your biggest expressions and most dramatic flair! Students will build confidence, timing, and performance skills while having fun taking every moment to the extreme.
Gr. 6-8 Behind the Scenes: Stage Crafters
Thursdays, 5:20-6:20pm
October 8th - December 17th (No Class November 26th)
Price: $190
The magic of theater doesn’t stop at the stage! In Stage Crafters, students will dive deeper into the behind-the-scenes world of theater design and production, exploring costumes, props, sets, and other technical elements that help create a show. Students will work on hands-on, age-appropriate projects while learning how creative choices support characters, settings, and storytelling. No prior experience is required, just bring your creativity and willingness to get hands-on! Students will build practical theater skills while gaining a greater appreciation for the teamwork and craftsmanship that happen behind the scenes.
Gr. 3-5 Classes
Gr. 3-5 Confident Characters
Thursdays, 4:30-5:15pm
October 8th - December 17th (No Class November 26th)
Price: $145
Step into character and let your confidence shine! In Confident Characters, students will explore acting through character creation, improvisation, scene work, and fun theater games. They’ll learn how to make bold choices, use their voices and bodies to bring characters to life, and work together to tell engaging stories. No prior acting experience is required, just bring your creativity and willingness to play! Students will build confidence both on and off the stage while discovering the joy of becoming someone new.
Gr. 3-5 Behind the Scenes: Stage Crafters
Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
October 6th - December 15th (No Class November 24th)
Price: $190
Step behind the curtain and discover what makes a show come to life! In Stage Crafters, students will learn about the many creative elements that support a production, including costumes, props, sets, and other backstage details. Through hands-on, age-appropriate projects, students will design, build, and experiment with different ways to bring a story to life. No prior experience is required, just bring your creativity and curiosity! Students will develop problem-solving and collaboration skills while discovering the exciting world of theater production.
Gr. K-2
Classes
Gr. K-2 Sing, Dance, Imagine!
Tuesdays, 5:45-6:30pm
October 6th - December 15th (No Class November 24th)
Price: $145
Get ready to sing, move, and let your imagination take the lead! In Sing, Dance, Imagine!, students will explore music through fun songs, creative movement, dance, and imaginative play. Each week brings a new musical adventure designed to build confidence, creativity, and joyful self-expression. No prior music or dance experience is required, just bring your imagination and a love of having fun! Students will have plenty of opportunities to play, perform, and discover the joy of making music together.
Gr. 5-8 Classes
Gr. 5-8 Show Choir Extravaganza!
Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45pm
October 6th - December 15th (No Class November 24th)
Price: $235
Back by popular demand! Join our Show Choir Extravaganza for 5th through 8th graders, a high-energy class where young performers will dive into the exciting world of show choir! Perfect for those who are working on their singing, students will learn dynamic musical theater songs and engaging choreography from popular musicals such as Newsies, Moana, The Greatest Showman, and Wicked. Throughout the class, participants will develop essential skills in vocal performance, harmonizing, stage presence, and synchronized dance. This fun and supportive environment will help build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for musical theater. The session culminates in an exciting performance on the last day, allowing students to showcase their newfound talents and the incredible routines they've mastered!
Gr. 3-5 Classes
Gr. 3-5 Broadway Basics Mondays, 5:20-6:20pm
October 6th - December 14th (No Class November 23rd)
Price $190
Lights, music, Broadway! In Broadway Basics, students will explore the exciting world of musical theater through singing, movement, and performance. Students will learn songs from popular musicals while building their vocal skills, stage presence, and confidence. No prior experience is required, just bring your enthusiasm and love of music! Each week, students will have fun discovering what it takes to become a well-rounded musical theater performer.
Lydia Benz - Education Director
Lydia is beyond excited to be stepping into the role of Education Director at VACT. She first became involved at VACT at age five with her breakout role in the operatic piggy chorus of Three Piggy Opera. Since then, Lydia has been involved with over 30 VACT productions, doing everything from choreography to repainting the same set pieces for countless productions. Lydia graduated from The Ohio State University in May, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education as a Child and Youth Studies Major with a focus on Creative Pedagogies in Education and a minor in Dance. Throughout this time, Lydia worked at Children’s Theatre of Madison as an Emerging
Teaching Artist and at Columbus Children’s Theatre as the Education Coordinator for their Theatre360 Summer Camps. Theater is for everyone, and Lydia is endlessly passionate about helping each child find their spark.
Heather Felker - Show Choir and Music Instructor (Gr. 5-8)
Heather is delighted to rejoin the staff of the VACT music classes this year! She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in voice from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and has been involved in music for the past two decades, either teaching or performing. Her experience includes teaching music at local schools, providing private music lessons, singing in UW Choral Union, serving on VACT's production teams, including directing Alice In Wonderland Jr. this spring, and performing on stage herself in recent shows such as VACT's Beauty and the Beast, Wizard of Oz, Seussical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is currently the Music Director for VACT's We Will Rock You Young @Part and is also a cast member in VACT's School of Rock. Her two kids have participated in VACT youth productions for the past ten years. Singing and engaging with young people are among Heather's favorite activities, and she anticipates a fun year at VACT!
Janelle McGhee - Drama and Behind the Scenes Instructor (Gr. K-8)
Janelle McGhee has been working with students of all ages for most of her life and has taught a wide variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and theater. She has worked with students from preschool to adults and everything in between. Janelle has her BS in Elementary Education from University in Pennsylvania. Soon after graduating, she moved to Madison and was introduced to VACT and the opportunity to help with the K-2 musicals as a choreographer and camp director and co-teacher. After a handful of years away from Madison, she is happy to be back and teaching VACT classes again!
Caroline Short - Show Choir and Music Instructor (Gr. K-8)
Bio coming soon!