The Dance and Dramatic Arts school is designed to develop talent and imagination while building confidence, self-image, and the joy of performing. We strive to inspire children, teaching students to appreciate drama as a form of communication and expression, whether they are aspiring performers or simply taking class for fun.
Our professionally trained staff follows a creative and progressive curriculum that allows students to hone their skills and grow as individuals with confidence and pride. We are proud to offer a dynamic and comprehensive theater program comprised of classes and performance opportunities for preschoolers through adults. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, the Dance and Dramatic Arts School has a class for you!
THEATRE PERFORMANCE COMPANIES:
KIDS AND YOUTH THEATRE
JCC Kids and Youth Theatre teaches acting and musical theater skills, with all students performing in a fully staged musical with sets, costumes, and lighting! All students will be cast in the show! Our performance companies offer children and teens the opportunity to shine in an environment of teamwork, with a focus on creativity and experiences that build self-confidence. Extra rehearsals will be added leading up to the show. Students in Kids and Youth Theatre will have an opportunity to take a Broadway workshop and see a Broadway show together! *additional fee for trip to NYC
Performances are open and welcome to the community!
Tickets: $15 Member/$18 Guest general seating.
NEW! JCC Mini Theatre
Ages: Grades K-2
Have you been bitten by the theatre bug? In this introductory performance workshop, young actors will get to experience the rehearsal process under the guidance of a director and choreographer! Students will learn scene into song group numbers from our Kids Theater musicals and get to perform them on stage with costumes and sets! This experience is designed to grow confidence and skills that are the building blocks of artistic success!
Grades K-2
Performance: 4/29
JCC Kids Theatre
Ages: Grades 2-5
CATS
CATS is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground and is alive with purr-fect felines, including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Skimbleshanks and Grizabella. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one, they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Performances: 4/27 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm
Tickets: Member $15/ Guest $18
*All Youth Theatre students are required to add a technique class (ie: musical theater, improv acting, power of expression or dance class) to further enhance the student’s skill in all aspects of musical theater performance.
JCC Youth Theatre
Ages: Grades 6-10
Participation in JCC Youth Theatre is by teacher recommendations only.
Contact Jenna Mate at 201.408.1495 | jmate@jccotp.org for Youth Theatre requirements and details.
THE MUSIC MAN JR.
Master showman Harold Hill is in town and he’s got “seventy-six trombones” in tow. Can upright, uptight Marian, the town librarian, resist his powerful allure? The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. The catch? He doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, whose belief in Harold’s power just might help him succeed in the end in spite of himself.
Performances: 5/18 at 11:00am and 2:00pm
Tickets: Member: $15/ Guest $18
*All Youth Theatre students are required to add a technique class (ie: musical theater, improv acting, power of expression or dance class) to further enhance the student’s skill in all aspects of musical theater performance.
Building Broadway
Ages: 7-14
Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a show? This brand new class teaches skills in building the sets, props, and costumes that will appear in our musicals. Participants will also have the opportunity to work backstage during the shows! This class combines creativity, teamwork, and confidence for individuals who love theater, and want to participate in these essential roles.
Mondays 7:00-8:00 pm
Jan 27 – May 19
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
DRAMA CLASSES
Little Actors
Ages: Pre-School 4 Year Olds
In Little Actors, we stretch our imaginations and have cooperative fun! Students act out short stories and engage in activities which encourage physical and vocal expressiveness. Students build skills of confidence, communication, self-expression, language, listening, sharing and teamwork.
Thursdays from 3:30-4:15 pm
Jan 30 – Jun 5, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Musical Theatre
Students are given the opportunity to work on a variety of material from popular musical theater shows. Students will learn and implement musical theater performance techniques through scenes and songs. This class will further enhance the student’s skill in all aspects of musical theater performance. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Musical Theatre 1
Ages: Grades K-2
Wednesdays from 5:00-5:45 pm
Jan 29 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Musical Theatre 2
Ages: Grades 3-4
Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 pm
Jan 28 – May 27, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Musical Theatre 2/3
Ages: Grades 3-6
Mondays from 6:00-7:00 pm
Jan 27 – May 19, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Musical Theatre 3
Ages: Grades 5-6
Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm
Jan 28 – May 27, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Musical Theatre 4
Ages: Grades 7-8
Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 pm
Jan 29 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Improv Acting
Get ready to laugh, learn and grow! In Improv Acting, students gain confidence, conquer shyness and learn new skills, while having fun! Improvisation teaches us how to develop characters, stay present in the moment, through storytelling and self-expression, while feeling creative excitement and having a lot of laughs! Students enjoy learning theatre and improv activities, scene work, and monologue. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Improv Acting 1
Ages: Grades K-2
Wednesdays from 4:00-4:45 pm
Jan 29 – Jun 6, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Improv Acting 2
Ages: Grades 3-4
Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm
Jan 30 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Improv Acting 3
Ages: Grades 5-6
Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 pm
Jan 30 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Improv Acting 4
Ages: Grades 7-8
Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm
Jan 30 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Teen Acting
Ages: Grades 5-8
Teen Acting is for creative students looking to develop their acting skills. This class will focus on acting technique through acting exercises, ensemble work, monologues, and scene work. Students will use self-exploration to expand their performance ranges and take on more challenging roles with confidence. Students will learn to make their characters more believable and bring real feelings to their performances. The class will culminate in a small performance for families during class time.
Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm
Jan 29 – Jun 4, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
The Power of Expression
Ages: Grades 7-12
Your voice matters. In a safe and inviting space, students will learn how to express thoughts and feelings through creative outlets such as monologues, scenes or songs. The instructor, along with a Social Work intern will provide a process for feelings to be shared and then transformed into pieces of performance art. Students will have the option to share these pieces with an audience.
Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm
Jan 28 – May 27, 2025
$395 / JCC Member
$495 / Guest
Performance Master Series
Ages: Grades 9-12
Are you looking for the next step in your artistic development? The Masters Series will provide Teens with an unparalleled experience! In this advanced level course, students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of teaching artists in different disciplines including Voice, Acting, Movement, Writing, Entertainment Business, and more!
Adult Classes
Adult Play Reading
Delve into masterful works and try on different characters in this thought-provoking class. Students will read aloud plays of varying genres followed by interesting discussions. Topics of discussion may include themes, character analysis, and experiencing the world of each play.
Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00 pm
Feb 5 – Mar 19, 2025
$105 / JCC Member
$126 / Guest
Thursdays from 11:00-12:00 pm
Feb 6 – Mar 20, 2025
$105 / JCC Member
$126 / Guest
Adult Improv Acting
Get ready to let loose! Learn and build your ability to respond to the unexpected. Mental Agility! In Improv everyone will gain confidence, conquer shyness and learn new valuable skills, unleash humor, while seriously having fun! Improvisation teaches us how to create NOW…on the spot. Live through storytelling and self-expression, while feeling creative excitement and having a lot of laughs! Students enjoy learning theatre and improv activities, scene work, and monologue.
Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 pm
Jan 30 – Apr 10, 2025
$150 / JCC Member
$180 / Guest
Adult Musical in Concert
A brand-new opportunity to showcase the amazing talents of adult artists in our community! Artists will experience a rehearsal process under the expertise of a director and musical director to develop a concert style musical. The performance will be held in the Eric Brown Theater with proceeds going to a meaningful charity.
Private Dance, Voice and Acting Lessons
Available to students enrolled in dance dramatic arts classes
Ages: 5-Adult
Dance: Private dance is for students who are passionate about dancing and inspired to excel in their art. It is an extension of a child’s initial dance training.
Voice: Vocal training is tailor-made to each individual singer’s needs and goals. Learn the proper vocal technique to increase vocal range and strength, create a beautiful tone and maintain a healthy voice.
Acting: For serious young actors to work on audition monologues or for scenes for films, plays and TV series.
1 hour lesson: $83 Member/$100 Guest
45-minute lesson: $70 Member/$84 Guest
30-minute lesson: $55 Member/$67 Guest
For more information about private lessons, please contact Jenna Mate at jmate@jccotp.org | 201.408.1495
Adult Dance and Drama
Early Childhood Center
JCC Dance School
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