VACT
Summer 2026 Drama and Music Classes!
For Pre-K through 8th grade!
Registration Now Open!
SUMMER DRAMA AND MUSIC CLASSES
Registration NOW OPEN!
We are SO EXCITED to offer a great variety of summer classes for Pre-K through 8th Grade!
VACT is excited to once again offer a variety of summer classes for Pre-K through eighth grade, offered as one week workshop style classes throughout the summer.
Classes are by grade level, based on student’s grade in 2025-26 school year (no exceptions).
Classes meet for one week only (Monday-Thursday).
Class size limited to 15 students.
All classes are held at the Dee Baldock Performing Arts Center (VACT Building) 103 Lincoln Street, Verona.
Please see our camp and classes policies page HERE for additional class policies.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ALL CLASSES!
Questions? Email the VACT Education Department at education@vact.org
Pre-K
Drama Classes
Pre-K Drama: Storybook Adventures
Monday, Aug. 3-Thursday, Aug 6
3:30-4:15
Price: $50
For children who were not in Kindergarten during the 2025-26 school year, but will be at least 3-years-old by August 3rd. Let’s explore all the places a story can take us! Each day we will use a story as our inspiration for expression. We will join the characters on their adventure while moving our bodies and experience what the characters experience. This allows us the opportunity to explore character development, emotions, and storytelling through a fun and interactive manner. Through our games and exercises, students will learn the foundations of both dance and theater. Let’s move our bodies and get creative!
Grades 3-5
Music and Drama
Classes
Gr. 3-5: The Room Where It Happens: Audition Prep Workshop
Monday, June 22-Thursday, June 25
4:30-5:30
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 3-5 (2025/26 school year), The Room Where It Happens: Audition Prep Workshop is an exciting opportunity for students to refine their musical theater audition techniques. This class covers the complete audition process, helping young performers develop crucial skills such as selecting appropriate audition songs and practicing effectively at home to build confidence. Students will also gain invaluable experience by participating in a realistic mock audition within a supportive and comfortable setting. Prepare to impress and have fun as you get ready for your next audition!
Gr. 3-5 Music: Songs on Stage
Monday, July 6-Thursday, July 9
4:40-5:40
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 3-5 (2025/26 school year), in this exciting 4-day class, students will explore the world of musical theater through singing, movement, and performance. Using songs from popular stage productions, students will learn how to bring music to life with expression, energy, and storytelling. Through interactive activities, students will practice vocal techniques, build confidence, and develop stage presence while working both individually and as a group. They will explore how performers use voice, facial expressions, and body language to communicate character and emotion. By the end of the class, students will have strengthened their performance skills and gained confidence sharing their voices; all while having fun experiencing the excitement of songs on stage!
Gr. 3-5 Music: Performing Musical Theater Solos & Duets
Monday, July 13-Thursday, July 16
3:30-4:30
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 3-5 (2025/26 school year), this class is designed for kids who love to sing and perform! This class focuses on the art of solo and duet musical theater vocal performance, helping young performers develop confidence and technique. Students will learn how to choose appropriate musical theater songs that highlight their unique vocal abilities and dramatic expression. We'll cover important aspects like song interpretation, character development, stage presence, and tailoring performances to suit different musical theater styles. We will also be learning about specific singing and vocalizing skills, such as finding your range, projection, vocal registers, diction, and vocal health. Get ready to shine and share your passion for musical theater!
Gr. 3-5 Drama: Props and Physical Acting
Monday, July 27-Thursday, July 30
3:30-4:30
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 3-5 (2025/26 school year), in this engaging 4-day class, students will explore how actors use their bodies and everyday objects to bring characters and stories to life on stage. Through creative movement and guided activities, students will learn how to use props effectively to enhance storytelling and performance. Students will practice physical acting skills such as gesture, facial expression, and body language, discovering how these tools help communicate emotion, character, and action without relying only on words. They’ll also experiment with transforming simple props into imaginative elements within a scene. By the end of the class, students will have built confidence in their physical performance skills and gained a deeper understanding of how movement and props can make acting more dynamic, expressive, and fun!
Gr. K-2
Music and Drama Classes
Gr. K-2 Music: The Music of Disney
Monday, July 6-Thursday, July 9
3:30-4:30
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades K-2 (2025/26 school year), in this fun and engaging 4-day class, young learners will explore the magical world of Disney through music! Students will listen to, sing, and move to songs from beloved Disney movies while building foundational music skills. Through interactive activities such as singing familiar songs and creative movement, students will develop their sense of beat, pitch, and musical storytelling. We’ll also explore how music helps tell a story and express emotions in Disney films. By the end of the class, students will have grown in confidence, creativity, and musical understanding; all while having fun with some of their favorite Disney tunes!
Gr. K-2 Drama: Creating Characters
Monday, Aug. 3-Thursday, Aug 6
4:25-5:25
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades K-2 (2025/26 school year), in this imaginative 4-day drama class, students will dive into the magic of dress-up with a purpose! Each week, young performers will explore costumes, props, and dramatic play as they create unique characters: heroes, animals, explorers, villains, royalty, and beyond. Through acting games, movement, and storytelling, students will learn how costume choices shape a character’s personality, voice, and actions. In this hour-long class, creativity and play come together to build confidence, spark imagination, and help students discover the joy of becoming anyone they can dream up.
Grades 6-8
Music and Drama
Classes
Gr. 6-8: The Room Where It Happens: Audition Prep Workshop
Monday, June 22-Thursday, June 25
5:40-6:40
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 6-8 (2025/26 school year), The Room Where It Happens: Audition Prep Workshop is an exciting opportunity for students to refine their musical theater audition techniques. This class covers the complete audition process, helping young performers develop crucial skills such as selecting appropriate audition songs and practicing effectively at home to build confidence. Students will also gain invaluable experience by participating in a realistic mock audition within a supportive and comfortable setting. Prepare to impress and have fun as you get ready for your next audition!
Gr. 6-8 Music: Performing Musical Theater Solos & Duets
Monday, July 13-Thursday, July 16
4:40-5:40
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 6-8 (2025/26 school year), this class is designed for kids who love to sing and perform! This class focuses on the art of solo and duet musical theater vocal performance, helping young performers develop confidence and technique. Students will learn how to choose appropriate musical theater songs that highlight their unique vocal abilities and dramatic expression. We'll cover important aspects like song interpretation, character development, stage presence, and tailoring performances to suit different musical theater styles. We will also be learning about specific singing and vocalizing skills, such as finding your range, projection, vocal registers, diction, and vocal health. Get ready to shine and share your passion for musical theater!
Gr. 6-8 Drama: Drama Games
Monday, July 27-Thursday, July 30
4:40-5:40
Price: $60
For students who just finished grades 6-8 (2025/26 school year), in this high-energy 4-day class, students will explore the fundamentals of acting through a variety of fun and interactive drama games. Designed to build confidence and encourage creativity, this class gives students the opportunity to think on their feet and collaborate with others in a supportive environment. Through improvisation, storytelling challenges, and group activities, students will develop key performance skills such as focus, quick thinking, character development, and teamwork. These games help students become more comfortable taking risks, expressing ideas, and performing in front of others. By the end of the class, students will have strengthened their acting skills, built ensemble connections, and gained confidence both on and off the stage; all while having a great time playing drama games!
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.
Janelle McGhee
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 co-teacher. After a handful of years away from Madison, she is happy to be back and teaching VACT classes again!
Aimika Ketilson
Aimika is so excited to join the staff of VACT! She briefly subbed for a few dances classes last spring and is excited to be joining full time to teach music! While this will her first time teaching at VACT, she participated in many shows throughout her time in high school. Aimika currently attends the University of Toronto and looks forward to coming home this summer!