Olympia Family Theater is your community partner in raising imaginative, loving, joyful and confident children. Our educational programs provide opportunities for personal development for young people, teaching creativity and responsibility, encouraging teamwork and personal integrity, and fostering self-esteem and appreciation for the performing arts. Our motto is Learn! Laugh! Perform!
Olympia Family Theater’s fall education programs offer a full menu of amazing theater classes and workshops for almost every age. This fall you’ll find Saturday morning parent & child creative drama classes, a theater-making class for teens, a youth production program for ages 8 to 14, and improv options for teens and adults. Let’s learn, laugh, and perform together!
Adult 1-Day Workshop: Foundations of Improv
A one-day workshop!
An introductory 4-hour workshop for adults to learn and practice the fundamental concepts of Improv in a fun and supportive environment. Build your confidence, improve your communication skills and get your imagination and creativity going.
OPEN TO AGES: 18+
SCHEDULE: Sunday, Sept 15, 12 – 4 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Rogers
TUITION: Sliding Scale $40-60
Youth Action Theater
Exploring youth action & climate change!
A thematic theater-making class where participants will create an original theatrical performance exploring youth action and climate change. This workshop is for young people who are passionate about making their voices and ideas heard and using the performing arts as a vehicle to make positive and lasting change in their community. We can change the world through theater! Students will perform their show for friends and family on Saturday October 26th at 7pm.
“Artists for the Earth: As Earth Day reaches its milestone 50th Anniversary in April 2020, nature and the environment are faced with enormous challenges from loss of biodiversity, pollution, degradation of our ecosystems, and climate change. Art must join with science to personalize climate change and disseminate it to a wider audience.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day#Earth_Day_2020)
OPEN TO AGES: 13-18
SCHEDULE: Sept 17 – Oct 24, Tues & Thurs 4-6pm
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE: Saturday, October 26th at 7pm
DIRECTED BY: Claribel Gross
TUITION: $120
Teen Workshop: IMPROV
10 weeks of improv awesomeness!
The Teen Improv class will have 10-weeks together to grow and develop as an ensemble. We will learn and practice basic improv skills as well as dive into short-form technique, games, theory, tricks, and tools. Learn, Laugh, Perform! The Troupe will meet Wednesdays, September 18th – November 20 from 4- 6 pm, culminating in a free public performance after our last class on November 20 at 5:30 pm.
OPEN TO AGES: 13-17
SCHEDULE: Sept 18 – Nov 20, Wednesdays 4-6pm
DIRECTOR: Rebecca Rogers
TUITION: $100
OFTeenies – Creative Drama Class for Parent & Child
Share, learn, and have some theater fun with your young one!
Join us for our early childhood creative drama classes for age 0 to 5 and their parent/caregiver. Adults get to join in on the fun with their children during these sessions that introduce theater arts, encourage future participation in the arts, and develop important skills for your child’s development. Together we will explore stories and storytelling in a relaxed environment, work together through imaginative games, pantomime, music, and movement, and have fun with your young one!
OPEN TO AGES: 0-5 with an accompanying adult
SCHEDULE: Selected Saturdays Sept 21-Dec 14, 10-11am
INSTRUCTORS: Mandy Ryle & Claribel Gross
TUITION: Sliding scale $60 – $90
Youth After School Workshop: WIZARD OF OZ
Youth put on a ticketed mainstage show!
After a tornado blows through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto are transported to the magical land of Oz. Dorothy quickly realizes that she’s not in Kansas anymore when she lands in Munchkinland and meets Glinda the good witch who tells her that the Wizard of Oz may be the only person who can help Dorothy go home. Dorothy and Toto embark on an adventure filled journey down the yellow brick road to find the Wizard and along the way she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion who all need to see the Wizard as well.
Adaptation by Kate Ayers
OPEN TO AGES: 8-14
SCHEDULE: Sept 30 – Oct 24, Mon-Fri 4-6pm
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES: Oct 25 at 7pm & Oct 26 at 1 pm
DIRECTED BY: Mandy Ryle
TUITION: $175-275 (Sliding scale)
Adult Workshop Series: Foundations of Improv
A six-week series!
A 6-week class for adults to learn and practice the fundamental concepts of Improv in a fun and supportive group environment. Whether you are a beginner or looking to hone your skills, this class will get your imagination and creativity going. Improv builds confidence, improves communication and relationship building. The skills gained during this workshop can be useful in every aspect of your life—both personal and professional! This class will culminate in a performance on November 6 at 7pm.
OPEN TO AGES: 18+
SCHEDULE: Oct 2 – Nov 6, Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30pm
INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Rogers
TUITION: Sliding scale $80 – $100
EDUCATION PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Register online for all workshops: olyft.org/education. Space is limited in each program.
Olympia Family Theater is committed to making theater education accessible through partial tuition scholarships, sliding scale tuition, and payment plans.
LOCATION
All of our education programs take place at our theater, 612 4th Ave E, downtown Olympia.
