VACT Winter/Spring 2026 Drama and Music Classes!
Registration Now Open!
WINTER/SPRING DRAMA AND MUSIC CLASSES
Registration Now Open!
We are SO EXCITED to continue our show choir this spring as well as so many other great classes!
VACT is excited to once again offer a variety of theater classes for kindergarten through eighth grade beginning in January 2026 and running through March 2026. In these three month 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 2025-26 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 January 5th through the week of March 9.
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 March 9, during the last class of the semester.
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
Gr. K-2 Classes
Gr. K-2 Drama: Creating Characters
Mondays, 3:40-4:25pm
January 5 - March 9
Price: $145
For students in grades K-2, in this imaginative 10-week 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 45-minute class, creativity and play come together to build confidence, spark imagination, and help students discover the joy of becoming anyone they can dream up.
Gr. K-2: Music: Musical Adventures
Tuesdays 3:40-4:10pm (30 min class)
January 6 - March 10
$95
For students in grades K-2, pack your imagination and get ready to explore! Each week, students journey to a new themed “world,” the jungle, the ocean, outer space, the circus, and more. Through songs, movement, rhythm play, and creative storytelling, children help bring each land to life as they sing, act, and build musical moments together. As they explore, students strengthen listening skills, grow their confidence, and learn to collaborate with their classmates. Whether they’re tiptoeing past imaginary creatures, soaring among the stars, or making waves in an underwater adventure, every class invites them to express themselves in new and exciting ways. Get ready for a lively musical experience through worlds where anything can happen, with discovery, creativity, and joyful exploration galore!
Gr. 3-5 Classes
Gr. 3-5 Drama: Silly Scenes
Mondays 4:30-5:15pm
January 5 - March 9
Price: $145
For students in grades 3-5, get ready to laugh, create, and perform! In this lively 10-week drama class, students will dive into the world of comedic acting through improv games, character creation, and short scene work. Each 45-minute class encourages imagination and collaboration as students experiment with exaggerated characters, playful dialogue, and hilarious situations. From silly problem-solving challenges to laugh-out-loud mini-performances, this class builds confidence while helping young actors sharpen their timing, creativity, and stage presence.
Gr. 3-5 Drama: Theater Lab
Mondays, 5:20-6:20pm
January 5 - March 9
Price: $190
For students in grades 3-5, time to shine! This fun and engaging theater class will explore the power of performance! This class encourages students to develop their skills in acting, improv, and character creation. Through a variety of exercises and games, including scene work and group work, students will explore various genres of theater and build their confidence and abilities. Emotional expression will be our foundation and focus. We will be exploring theater and stage basics, while working towards an ending in-class performance. Join us for a fun and creative class!
Gr. K-2 Classes
Con’t
Gr. K-2 Drama: Drama Games
Tuesdays 4:15-5:00pm
January 6 - March 10
Price: $145
For students in grades K-2, this playful introduction to theater is all about imagination, creativity, and fun! In this class, young performers will explore the world of drama through engaging games, movement activities, and storytelling exercises designed just for early elementary students. Children will build confidence, practice teamwork, and learn how to express themselves onstage; all while laughing, playing, and pretending. No prior experience is needed, just bring your energy and imagination!
Gr. K-2 Drama: In a Land Far, Far Away
Wednesdays, 3:40-4:10pm (30 min class)
January 7 - March 11
Price: $95
For students in grades K-2, get ready for an adventure! In this 10-week, imagination-filled drama class, students will journey to a new land each week: exploring places like the age of dinosaurs, the deep jungle, under the sea, outer space, enchanted castles, and more. Young actors will step into the roles of characters who might live in each world and work together to solve creative challenges through movement, storytelling, and dramatic play. This 30-minute class encourages confidence, collaboration, and creativity as students build acting skills while traveling to lands far, far away!
Gr. 3-5 Classes
Con’t
Gr. 3-5 Music: Storytelling through Song
Tuesdays 4:15-5:00pm
January 6 - March 10
Price: $145
For students in grades 3-5, in this engaging 10-week music class, students will discover how songs can bring stories, characters, and emotions to life. Through a blend of singing, acting exercises, and creative exploration, young performers will learn to use their voices, facial expressions, and movement to communicate meaning and enhance a musical performance. Each 45-minute class focuses on building confidence, developing expressive skills, and understanding how lyrics and melody work together to tell a story. Perfect for growing performers who want to deepen their musicality and step into the world of musical storytelling!
Gr. 3-5 Drama: Acting, Unscripted
Tuesdays 5:05-6:05pm
January 6 - March 10
Price: $190
For students in grades 3-5, think fast, get creative, and jump into the fun of spontaneous storytelling! In this 10-week, 60-minute improv class, students will explore the art of unscripted acting through games, challenges, character prompts, and collaborative scenes. Each week, students practice thinking on their feet as they learn to build scenes without a script: listening closely, saying “yes, and…,” and using their imagination to keep the story going. From hilarious improv games to quick character transformations, this class encourages bold choices, teamwork, and confidence onstage. Perfect for performers who love to play, experiment, and bring their ideas to life in the moment!
Grades 5-8
Classes
Gr. 5-8: Show Choir
Tuesdays, 5:25-6:25PM
January 6 - March 10
Price: $190 + $10 materials fee
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 Hairspray. 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. 5-8: Radio Show
Thursdays, 5:20-6:20pm
January 8 - March 12
Price: $190 + $10 materials fee
For students in grades 5-8, step behind the microphone and bring stories to life through sound! In this 10-week, 60-minute class, students will explore the exciting world of radio drama—where imagination, voice acting, and sound effects create entire worlds without ever stepping on stage. Students will listen to classic radio drama examples and read through short scripts to understand how storytelling works when the audience can only hear the action. From there, the class will work together to write, rehearse, and produce at least one original radio drama. Along the way, students will experiment with vocal techniques, sound effects, simple music cues, and creative scriptwriting. By the end of the session, students will have a polished audio performance that showcases their creativity, collaboration, and storytelling skills, no cameras required!
Grades 6-8
Classes Con’t
Gr 6-8 Music: Jukebox Musical
Thursdays 4:15-5:15pm
January 8 - March 12
Price: $190
In this high-energy 10-week, 60-minute class, students will dive into the world of jukebox musicals (shows built around familiar, popular songs). Working together, the group will choose a theme (friendship, adventure, mystery, superheroes, etc.) and use well-known music to inspire the story they want to tell. Students will develop characters, write short scenes, and select or adapt popular songs to fit their mini storyline. Through acting, movement, and creative collaboration, they’ll learn how existing music can shape a narrative and bring a performance to life. By the end of the session, students will have created and rehearsed their own original mini jukebox musical, a fun, creative blend of storytelling and the songs they already love!
Grades 6-8
Classes
Gr 6-8 Drama: The Great Genre Mashup
Wednesdays 4:15-5:15pm
January 7 - March 11
Price: $190
Get ready to leap from one storytelling world to the next! In this energetic 10-week, 60-minute acting class, students will explore a new performance style each week, jumping between genres like mystery, comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, and more. Through scene work, improv challenges, and character exploration, students will discover how different genres shape acting choices, tone, movement, and dialogue. One week they might be sneaking through a detective story, the next they’re battling imaginary dragons, and the week after that they’re starring in an over-the-top sitcom scene. This class builds versatility, creativity, and confidence as students learn to adapt quickly, make bold choices, and bring a wide variety of stories to life on stage. Perfect for actors who love trying new things and stepping into different worlds!
Gr 6-8 Costume Creations Wednesdays 5:20-6:20pm
January 7 - March 11
Price $190 + $10 materials fee
For students in grades 6-8, in this creative, hands-on 10-week, 60-minute class, students will explore the art and craft of costume design. From sketching ideas to experimenting with fabrics, accessories, and construction techniques, participants will learn how costume designers develop characters and bring visual storytelling to life. Each week, students will dive into different parts of the design process: researching styles, creating concept boards, practicing simple sewing or crafting skills, and testing out materials to see how they change a character’s look and feel. The emphasis is on exploration, creativity, and understanding how designers turn ideas into wearable designs. By the end of the session, students will have gained a solid foundation in costume design and construction, along with one or more sample pieces or prototypes that showcase their creative process. Perfect for students who love theater, fashion, art, or imaginative world-building!
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
Heather is delighted to join 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
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!
Aria Johnson
Aria is thrilled to be back for her third year in her favorite position at VACT, teaching! As a senior at Verona Area High School, she’s been working with VACT for nearly her entire life. She started performing with VACT at the age of 5 years old and has since been in over 30 productions. She also loves being involved with the youth productions and camps at VACT: whether as a drama, music, dance, or general production assistant, she loves it all! Teaching drama classes is a dream come true to Aria and she can’t wait to learn lots and have so much fun with everyone in classes this year!
Daniel Christian
Daniel has been involved at VACT in productions since he was in grade school! He has worked the past four years at the VACT summer camps as well as music directing VACT’s middle school productions. Daniel loves helping kids find their voice and learn to sing and act confidently. He is currently a junior at UW Madison, studying elementary education, and can’t wait to sing with you!
Chris Telfer
Chris is a retired music educator with 30 years of teaching experience. He has been an active participant in productions at VACT since 2022 and currently teaches lessons at Academy of Sound in Oregon, Wisconsin. Chris brings decades of musical knowledge and a passion for the performing arts to his teaching.