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
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!
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!
Mondays from 4:15–5:00 PM or 5:00–5:45 PM
Fall Classes: September 14 – December 21, 2026
$540 / JCC Member
$640 / Guest
(You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown)
Performance: December 20
Full Year: September 14 – April 21, 2027
$1,015 / JCC Member
$1,265 / Guest
(You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Lion King Jr.)
JCC Kids Theatre
Ages: Grades 3-5
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Step into the wonderfully wacky world of Charlie Brown and his friends in this fun, fast-paced musical. This show is packed with catchy songs, silly moments, and heartwarming lessons. With a wide range of loveable characters, there’s a place for everyone in this joyful production.
Placement Auditions: September 15, 4:00–6:00 PM
(Registration must be complete by September 14)
Performances: Sunday, December 20 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Tuesdays from 4:30–5:45 PM
Fall Classes: September 15 – December 22, 2026
$765 / JCC Member
$915 / Guest
Extra rehearsals will be added leading up to the show.
Full Year: September 15 – April 20, 2027
$1,455 / JCC Member
$1,740 / Guest
JCC Youth Theatre
Ages: Grades 6-8
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.
Beetlejuice Jr.
Get ready for a wild, weird, and wonderfully spooky adventure with Beetlejuice Jr.! This high-energy musical comedy follows Lydia Deetz, a quirky teen who loves all things strange and unusual. When she moves into a new house haunted by a pair of friendly ghosts, she meets the mischievous and outrageous Beetlejuice—a troublemaking spirit with a BIG personality and even bigger ideas! With tons of exciting roles—from ghosts and monsters to humans and everything in between—there’s a place for everyone to shine.
Placement Auditions: September 15, 6:30–8:30 PM
(Registration must be complete by September 14)
Performances: January 10 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Tuesdays from 6:00–8:00 PM
Classes: September 15 – January 12, 2026
$765 / JCC Member
$915 / Guest
Extra rehearsals will be added leading up to the show.
Full Year: September 15 – May 25, 2027
$1,455 / JCC Member
$1,740 / Guest
JCC Teen Theatre
Grades: 9–12
As our most advanced young artist group, Teen Theatre is for students who want to develop their craft in a deeper way. Students will focus on character development, musical theater techniques, storytelling, movement, and more. These students will have a scene and song showcase in the Fall and a Musical in the Spring. They will also have opportunities to bring their work to competitions and to attend Master Classes with artists in the field.
Fall: A showcase of scenes and songs specifically chosen to highlight the talents of each student
Spring: Chosen to reflect the gifts of this advanced ensemble
Rehearsals: Thurs 9/17–6/3, 6:30–8:00 PM
$1,265 / JCC Member
$1,515 / Guest
DRAMA CLASSES
Pretend and Perform
Ages: Pre-School 4 Year Olds and Kindergarten
Exercise your imagination in this introduction to character work! Students will try on various characters and learn how to use their voices and movement to become favorite roles from shows, films, and tv! This class builds essential skills while having lots of fun!
Wednesdays from 4:15–5:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 16 – January 20, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 16 – June 2, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / Guest
Lights, Laughter, Action!
Ages: Grades 3-5
If you love to laugh, you’ve come to the right place! Incorporating improv games, creative skits, and comedic scene work, students will learn how to bring their most truthful, funny moments to the stage! Think SNL, kid style!
Wednesdays from 5:00–6:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 16 – January 20, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 16 – June 2, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / 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.
Pop Musical
Ages: Grades 3-5
Thursdays from 5:00–6:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 17 – January 21, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 17 – June 3, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / Guest
Teen Scenes
Ages: Grades 6-8
Thursdays from 6:00–7:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 17 – January 21, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 17 – June 3, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / Guest
Building Broadway
Ages: Grades 6–8
Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a show? This fun 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.
Tuesdays from 6:00–7:15 pm
Fall Classes: September 15 – January 12, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 15 – June 1, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / Guest
Actor’s Studio
Ages: Grades 6–8
Build your actor’s toolbox is this dynamic acting class. Students will study acting technique through scene work and monologues, while taking on characters from important plays. This class is for anyone who loves the art of acting and wants to dive deeper into their craft!
Wednesdays from 6:00–7:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 16 – January 20, 2026
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 16 – June 2, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / 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 will provide a process for feelings to be shared and then transformed into pieces of performance art.
Tuesdays from 6:00–7:00 PM
Fall Classes: September 15 – January 19, 2027
$430 / JCC Member
$530 / Guest
Full Year: September 15 – June 1, 2027
$815 / JCC Member
$1,010 / Guest
Adult Classes
Adult Improv Acting
Get ready to let loose! Learn and build your ability to respond to the unexpected. In Improv everyone will gain confidence, conquer shyness and learn new valuable skills, unleash humor, while seriously having fun!
Thursdays from 7:00–8:00 PM
Classes: September 17 – November 4, 2026
$160 / JCC Member
$190 / Guest
Adult Monologue Study
Learn the art of performing monologues with confidence! Participants will be assigned exciting material and then will build skills to create vivid moments on stage. Character work, text analysis, and acting technique are all part of this unique experience!
Wednesdays from 7:00–8:00 PM
Classes: September 16 – November 4, 2026
$160 / JCC Member
$190 / Guest
Adult Musical in Concert
An exciting 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.
Performances: November 14 at 7:30 PM and November 15 at 3:00 PM
Tuesdays from 7:30–9:00 PM and Thursdays from 8:00-9:30 PM
Classes: September 15 – November 16, 2026
$315 / JCC Member
$375 / Guest
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 and reserved for dance company students.
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: $90 Member/$108 Guest
45-minute lesson: $75 Member/$90 Guest
30-minute lesson: $60 Member/$72 Guest
For more information about private lessons, please contact Jenna Mate at jmate@jccotp.org | 201.408.1495
JCC Dance School
Adult Dance and Drama
Early Childhood Center
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