Workshops for Young People

***Perform an original play***
***Work with a professional Repertory Company***
***Acting, Singing, Dancing, Make-up and more***
***Workshops available for a wide range of ages and experience levels***
**The Workshops**
(for more info, click on the workshop you
are interested in from the list below)

(The following programs require previous enrollment
in at least one Santa Monica Playhouse workshop
and director approval)

THE PLAYHOUSE: A company of professional theatre artists who share the magic of performance in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Santa Monica Playhouse is recognized through the SMARTS Arts in Schools and Demonstration Project for the California Arts Council as qualified and selected by a peer review process to teach arts in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and is proud to be listed as an approved program on www.LAArtsEd.org, Los Angeles County's one-stop-shop for quality arts education programs. All Santa Monica Playhouse workshops take place in one of our three professional performance venues, for a complete theatrical experience from first day to final performance.

THE PARTICIPATION: Workshop members make new friends, build self-confidence and improve self-expression and communication through a delightful play-building experience that offers acting, dance, voice, make-up, costumes and theatre games in a safe and enjoyable ensemble process which inspires joy and creativity. Students learn independent thinking and build self-confidence, build trust and self-discipline as they gain experience in performance techniques, body movement, computer lighting design, costuming, improvisation and more. In addition, all Playhouse education programs are designed to augment the State Educational Standards.

THE PEOPLE: Directors are trained in the Santa Monica Playhouse acting method and related areas of specialization, and have studied and taught with the Lee Strasberg Institute, the Royal National Theatre, The English Shakespeare Company, the Center for Early Education, and the UCLA, USC, Sarah Lawrence, Brown, Harvard and Yale Schools of Drama, among others. Alumni include performers Kate Hudson, Jason Ritter, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Deschanel, Mickey Madden, Teri Nunn, Inara George, Monet Mazur, Obi Ndefo, Jason Segel; writer/director/producers Jon Kasdan, Rina Mimoun, Shana Feste; casting director Liz Dean; journalist Gadi Dechter; novelist Rebecca Donner; and Newark Superintendent of Schools Cami Anderson.

for information, a brochure, or financial assistance please contact us at:

1-310-394-9779 ext. 3

or to e-mail us click HERE

THEATRE WORKSHOPS & CAMPS
Spring & Fall Play Production Workshops (Ages 7 to 13) Meet once a week with Santa Monica Playhouse theatre artists to create an always awesome piece of original theatre. Bring us your ideas, dreams, concerns and together we'll craft a professional production from start to finish, where you learn how to mount a play and channel your creativity through exciting and unique theatre and acting techniques, writing exercises, singing, dancing, and of course, performing. Confidence, a steady work ethic, and a sense of fulfillment are added bonuses. No experience needed, but even the most “advanced” young actor will benefit from this class. Fall Session: Thursday class: October 6, 2011 – January 26, 2012 Saturday class: October 8, 2011 – January 28, 2012 Spring Session: Thursday class: February 9 – May 24, 2012 Saturday class: February 11 – May 26, 2012 Membership accepted through February 25, 2011 Class Meeting Times Thursdays 4:00 to 6:30pm OR Saturdays 9:00 am to 11:30 am Dues: $495.00 per session *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click To See More Spring & Fall Play Production Photos
Teen Performance Lab (Ages 13 to 17) A specially designed workshop program for teens 13 to 17 where students plunge into the world of theatre and acting through a unique experience only found at Santa Monica Playhouse. Members work with theatre professionals in a supportive and dynamic atmosphere to create a performance piece based on the world they live in, unleashing each student’s unlimited creativity. Students study the world-renowned SMP acting method, learning how to build a trusting ensemble and create truthful characterizations. Program focus includes voice and movement and culminates in a fully mounted stage production. Added bonuses include a new found sense of self, increased confidence, and a profound appreciation for the arts. Spring Performance Lab: February 9 – May 31, 2012 Thursdays, 4:30 to 6:30pm Fall and Spring Teen Performance Lab is available Thursdays only. Dues: $495.00 per session For SUMMER TEEN PERFORMANCE LAB dates and prices, click “Return to Index” and then click on SUMMER WORKSHOPS *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click To See More Teen Performance Lab Photos
Inside/Outside: Acting for Camera & Stage (Ages 10 to 16) Learn how to develop the inner life of the character while simultaneously gaining camera, audition and cold reading skills, using improvisation, theatre games, text and performance art to practice techniques and develop proficiencies that will help you not only be dynamite on stage or screen, but excel in classroom participation, be confident in one-on-one personal conversations and learn to be a creative problem-solver. 4:00 to 6:30pm, Monday afternoons Winter Session: January 23 – February 27, 2012 Spring Session I: March 5 – April 9, 2012 Spring Session II: April 16 – May 21, 2012 Dues: $125.00 per session ($95.00 if taken concurrently with another Playhouse Workshop) *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	The Inside/Outside: Acting for Camera & Stage Workshop at Santa Monica Playhouse
Early Stages Create-a-Play (Ages 4 to 6) A workshop for ages 4 to 6 year olds focusing on the joys of creativity, self-expression and imagination through the use of theatre. Sing songs, play games, bring favorite fairytales to life, and perform on stage with company members of the Summer, Fall or Spring Theatre “big kids” Workshops. Focus is on sharing, caring, and having a fun time! Perfect for the energetic, dramatic, artsy youngster! A great way to introduce the arts at a very early age. Spring Session: February 25, 2012 – May 26, 2012 Saturdays 10:00 am to 11:30 am Dues: $345.00 Summer Session: July 23 – August 10, 2012 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to noon Dues: $495.00 Check back soon for Fall dates *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click To See More Early Stages Create-a-Play Photos
Spring Break Theatre Camp (Ages 6 to 13) Our short-burst theatre workshops are a thrilling adventure of the theatrical kind! Get a taste of what it’s like to be on stage. Combining theatre skills with personal expression and communication skills, members of the workshop become part of a unique theatre team that will use text, music, movement, costumes and make-up to build and perform an awesome original play – all in just five days! Session I: April 2-6, 2012 Session II: April 9-13, 2012 Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm Dues: $345.00 per session FOR SPRING BREAK ONLY! If your child’s school takes their Spring Break on dates other than those listed above, please contact us at 1-310-394-9779 ext 3 to find out more about special Spring Break Workshops that may be created just for you and your friends (minimum 8 students). *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click To See More Spring Break Theatre Camp Photos
Winter Break Theatre Camp (Ages 6 to 14) Our short-burst theatre workshops are a thrilling adventure of the theatrical kind! Get a taste of what it’s like to be on stage. Combining theatre skills with personal expression and communication skills, members of the workshop become part of a unique theatre team that will use text, music, movement, costumes and make-up to build and perform an awesome original play – all in just five days! Session I: Wed through Sun, 9:00 to 3:00pm, Dec 26-30, 2012 (Final performance will be on Sunday at 4pm) Session II: Wed through Sun, 9:00 to 3:00pm, Jan 2-6, 2013 (Final performance will be on Sunday at 4pm) Dues: $345.00 per session *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click To See More Winter Break Theatre Camp Photos
Private & Semi-Private Coaching (ages 6 to 17) Receive personal attention in a private or semi-private technique class that emphasizes movement for the stage, basics of auditioning, focus and concentration, memorization and cold reading, projection and enunciation. These 90-minute weekly, six-week sessions allow members to develop the ability to excel in performance on any stage and in any artistic endeavor in a truthful, authentic manner. No matter where you would like to perform, no matter what sort of performing arts experience you would like – theatre, dance, musical performance, speech, debate, television, film – this program will boost your confidence quickly and easily, from school to the Broadway stage. Dues: Private Coaching - $100 per hour ($75 per hour if booking 10 to 25 hours; $65 per hour if booking over 25 hours) Dues: Semi-Private Coaching (maximum 5 students) - $50 per hour ($40 per hour if booking 10 to 25 hours; $30 per hour if booking over 25 hours) *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.
Summer Theatre Camp and Teen Lab Our summer theatre intensives are our most popular workshop! A spectacular all day theatre experience where young people make friends, expand their imagination, have fun, learn how to build an ensemble, all while working on creating an always astonishing original musical all their own. Students learn from professional artists in a supportive, dynamic atmosphere that nurtures self-confidence and creative self-expression. This theatre experiences includes acting, dancing, singing, costumes, make-up, and of course a full fledged production mounted on one of the Playhouse's two performance venues. Summer Theatre Camp (ages 7 to 13) Session I: June 25 through July 13, 2012 Session II: July 23 through August 10, 2012 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday Dues: $725.00 per session Summer Teen Performance Lab (ages 13 to 17) June 25 through July 13, 2012 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday Dues: $725.00 per session *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click to See More Summer Theatre Camp Photos
Special One-Week Summer Workshop Mid-Summer Madness Theatre Camp (Ages 6 to 14) Our short-burst theatre workshops are a thrilling adventure of the theatrical kind! Get a taste of what it’s like to be on stage. Combining theatre skills with personal expression and communication skills, members of the workshop become part of a unique theatre team that will use text, music, movement, costumes and make-up to build and perform an awesome original play – all in just five days! Perfect for young people with a busy, busy summer schedule! July 16 through July 20, 2012 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday Dues: $345 *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.	Click to See More Summer One-Week Workshop Photos
Summer After Care TWO extra hours of Supervised Theatre Fun for your kids, TWO extra hours of convenience for YOU! During After Care, members play theatre games, rehearse their lines and blocking with the other students, sing songs, create dances, make props, learn about make-up and have an extra snack time. Available for students ages 6 and up in both the three-week and one-week sessions. Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm $15.00 per day *For more information please contact us at* 1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.

Challenging Programs for the Serious Actor
(prerequisite for all of the following programs is previous enrollment in at least one Santa Monica Playhouse workshop, recommendations from two Playhouse educators, audition and director approval)

Summer Stock

An intensive training program in all aspects of theatre management and production, from first audition to final performance before the public and the reviewer. Each Summer Stock production is unique as the group creates an astonishing full-length theatre piece, using imagination and creative problem-solving in a program of intensive theatre and communication immersion. This program culminates in an entire week of performances!

July 16 – Aug 12, 2012

Five weeks, Monday through Friday

9:00am to 5:00pm

Dues: $995.00 per session

For more information please contact us at

1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.

Click To See More Summer Stock Photos

The Writers Focus Group

Directed by award-winning playwright Evelyn Rudie, Writers Focus Group for ages 12-18 is an integrated arts approach to writing, concentrating on the dual aspects of creativity and marketability, with special emphasis on works for artistic performance. In the weekly 21/2 hour session, members develop poetry, scenes, monologues, lyrics, essays, do research, study play-reading skills, and work towards the creation of at least one theatre piece which will be produced on stage at the Playhouse. Acceptance also requires a writing submission. [Note: This workshop does not take place every year, but is only offered when a requisite number of serious students are accepted.]

Fall Session: October through January

Spring Session: February through May

4:00 to 6:30pm on Wednesdays for 12 sessions

Dues: $250.00 per session

For more information please contact us at

1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.

The Advanced Preparatory Program

As the name suggests, this workshop program is the preparation for the Advanced Workshop Program and the plays presented by the Young Professionals' Company. Members of the program take part in the Fall or Spring After-school Performance Workshop and The Acting Workshop as well as such theatre management activities as Ushering, Birthday Parties and Workshop Teaching Assistance.

Call for dates, prices and enrollment requirements

For more information please contact us at

1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.

The Advanced Conservatory Program

As a highly intensive look at theatre as a total activity, members study performance technique, voice, diction and enunciation, improvisation, aerobics and specialty dance, comedy timing, stage presence, cold reading, rhythm, theatre history, communication and mediation, teaching skills and more. This workshop emphasizes personal responsibility and commitment, team spirit and the togetherness that comes from sharing in the creative process.

October through May

Two classes per week - 4:00 to 6:30pm

Call for dates, prices and enrollment requirements

For more information please contact us at

1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3 or or to e-mail us click HERE.

Click To See More Advanced Workshop Photos

for information, a brochure, or financial assistance please contact us at:
1-310-394-9779 Ext. 3

or to e-mail us click HERE.

Santa Monica Playhouse, a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 educational corporation founded in 1960, provides exciting and entertaining dramatic and comedic, classic and contemporary live theatrical productions, Family Theatre musicals, birthday and tea parties, year-round and summer theatre acting classes and educational programming for kids, teens and adults, create-a-play classes and Mommy and Me events for pre-schoolers, daytime and after school field trips, enrichment classes and in-service in public and private schools, cultural exchange, international touring, and community outreach, as well as theatre rental space for productions, seminars, solo shows, concerts, recitals, lectures, meetings and more.