(6 classes in the session, limited to 12 students) 

Dates: Tues & Wed, July 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: TJ Lukacsina

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

Think you know what it takes to be in charge of the entire process of making a musical with it’s many constantly moving parts? From planning, casting, and scheduling, to rehearsal rooms and executing your vision in collaboration with other artists, we will attempt to cover everything that goes into directing a show. We will take a hands-on approach, working together to direct scenes and analyze scripts. Small outside reading assignments may be part of the class, all material provided.

 If you are interested in directing for The Free Theatre, this is a required class. 

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Mon July 7, Thurs July 10, 24, 31

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Rikki Howie Lacewell

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

This class will consist of discussions and practicum in the art of dance-making (choreography) using dance steps and working through how they fit into pieces. You will learn how to create dances that fit time, place, story and skill levels, and also work on audition setups. We will focus on how to collaborate with the rest of the creative and production team (director, musical director, stage manager and designers) and talk about tips, tricks and pitfalls when it comes to being a choreographer. You should come away with a collaborative dance piece you can use for auditions or college reels.

If you are interested in choreographing for The Free Theatre, this is a required class. 

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Tues July 8, 15, 22, 29

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Marci Shegogue 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Prerequisite: piano, note reading and choral singing.

This workshop is intensive training for students interested in Music Direction. You will learn everything involved in music directing, including preparing a score, working with creative and production teams, auditions/casting, rehearsal process, assigning and teaching vocal harmonies, vocal coaching basics, working with pit musicians, conducting, and how to be an effective leader. This class will focus on applying these skills.

If you are interested in music directing for The Free Theatre, this is a required class.

(6 classes in the session, limited to 12 students) 

Dates: Mon July 7, Thurs July 10, Wed July 16, 23, 30 and Thurs July 31

Time: 4-7pm

Instructor: Kristina Martin 

Location: Rockville (Address TBD)

This course introduces students to the basics of theatrical costume design including script analysis, theory, research, visual creation and presentation, use of construction techniques in design consideration, budgeting, collaboration and the importance of historical periods in art and fashion. Throughout the workshop you will have the opportunity to put all this information into practice with weekly projects that further the practical use of each lesson. You’ll leave this 4-session class with a fully designed show, ready to take on future solo projects.

If you are interested in costume designing for The Free Theatre’s 2024-25 season, this is a required class.

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Tuesdays, July 8, 17, 22, 29

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Jordan Hersh

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

In this summer intensive, we will talk about the basic principles and approach to lighting design for theater. We’ll focus on coming up with lighting design concepts for a show, and how a designer communicates and collaborates with other designers. We will also work on light plots, magic sheets and programming light cues for a show.

(1 class, limited to 10 students) 

Date: Wed, July 30

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Elly Makowski 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Learn the art of projection design! Designing and using projections in a theater space can expand your scenic design vision, especially if you are on a small budget. Learn ways to approach projection design (as a scenic element, as light, and as its own design element), how to build projection content, and the software needed to implement your design. Projections rely on creativity, artistry and resourcefulness and are most often a true collaboration between Director, Lighting Designer and Scenic Designer.

(2 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Thurs, July 10 and Mon, July 14

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Elly Makowski 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Hands-on sound design training with the Technical Director of BlackRock Center for the Arts! This is an excellent opportunity to train directly on the equipment that The Free Theatre uses in performance. We will be tailoring the workshop format and times to individual student knowledge and needs. No experience necessary! We will go over sound design basics, an overview of QLab software, how to source and create effects, and how to collaborate with other designers successfully. We will also work on mic and speaker plots and programming sound cues.

May be one-on-one, or small group. 

(1 workshop, limited to 10 students) 

Date: Sun, July 13

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Rooster Sultan 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

Using recycled materials and art supplies students will make common theatre props by breaking down items into component parts, and focusing on the form and function of the prop.

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30

Times: 6-9pm

Instructor: Carla Dias

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

Learn the secrets of the “magic” of puppetry! In this workshop, you will construct a different puppet every week using various materials, from recycled paper, fabric, plastic and found objects. You can make a puppet from anything! We will also explore how puppets move with different techniques, and give them expression through movement and sounds. In the last class, we will perform an improvised show with our puppets, and that’s when the magic happens!

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, 31

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Jess Vogel 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

In this class, we will be delving into how to create strong, believable characters alongside other actors. We will start with Open Scenes and work together to choose scenes to create character, rehearse, and then perform in a scenes showcase at the end of our time together. 

(1 class, limited to 30 students – if more sign up we will add a second class!) 

Date: Sunday, August 17 

Time: 2-6 pm

Instructors: Rikki Howie Lacewell and Marci Shegogue 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

This workshop will prepare you for the basic musical theatre audition process – how to choose a song, what to bring, how to prep, best ways to present yourself, and how to get through the audition feeling confident. We will focus on the vocal part of the audition including choosing songs, warming up, and how to collaborate with an accompanist; the dance audition, including what to wear and how to do your best even as a non-dancer; the cold read, including how to prepare for anything. We will have some demos on dos and don’ts!

Please bring with you: a 3-ring binder (any size) with two hole-punched print-outs of sheet music for songs you like to sing, several pieces of notebook paper, a highlighter and a pencil. 

(5 classes in the session, just one week, limited to 12 students)

Dates: July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Alicia Bloomfield 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Get ready to sing, move, act and shine in this fun, high-energy workshop! Learn how to perform in a group, blend vocals, and bring big ensemble numbers to life. Perfect for musical theatre lovers who want to grow their stage skills and have a blast doing it!

Dates: Mon or Wed slots available for 4 weeks, July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

Time: 30 min coaching between 6-9pm, specifics available after sign-up

Instructor: Cynthia Molina Diehl 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Singing for musical theatre can involve many vocal styles – choral, contemporary, gospel, jazz, pop, rock and more! Working with a vocal coach on healthy technique needed for belting, stylizations, and clear diction is vital for being able to tell the story of the song to any audience clearly, confidently and in a healthy way.

(4 classes, limited to 10 students, can sign up for 1, 2, 3 or all 4!) 

Dates: Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Melanie Barber 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts, Dance Studio 

Join us as we discover and learn various dance styles that are used today: jazz, tap, musical theatre dance, and others. In addition to technique, we will work on strength and conditioning, flexibility, jumps & leaps, and new combinations. Perfect for anyone who wants to move and dance this summer!

(2 classes, you can choose to attend either one, or both) 

Dates: Tuesdays, July 9 and 16

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Jess Vogel

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Sign up for one or both! We will spend the whole time playing theatre games – have fun with some old favorites, and experience some new ones with us!

(4 classes in the session, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Chris Sisson 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Learn what makes music work! This class will teach the fundamentals of music theory, from rhythm and phrasing to harmonic theory/chord building. We will also explore different strategies and technologies used in songwriting. The goal is for students to gain a deeper understanding while playing/listening to music and to develop their own unique musical language.

(4 classes in the session, unlimited) 

Dates: Sundays, July 13, 20, 27 and August 3

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Marci Shegogue 

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts 

Come join the pit!  You will get to read through a few different scores in the musical theatre world, and get to play through them with other musicians. Learn the differences between playing in an orchestral ensemble and a musical theatre pit, and gain sight reading skills as we muddle through playing  lots of different styles of music together!  Prereq: must be proficient on an instrument, and be able to bring it with you on Sundays.  

(6 classes in the session) 

Dates: Mondays and Thursdays, July 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, 31

Times: 1-2pm

Instructor: Chloe Weiss

Location: Rockville (Address TBD)

Have you ever wanted to become a theatrical encyclopedia? If so, then dramaturgy is for you! In this class, students are introduced to the role of dramaturg as the art of understanding and preparing theatrical works. Students will participate in discussions surrounding musical analysis, plot structure and historical context, culminating in a creation of their first dramaturgy packet!

*Computer or note taking device recommended.

(6 classes in the session, MUST attend all 6, limited to 10 students) 

Dates: First week: Wed, July 9 and Fri., July 11 and then Mondays and Thursdays, July 14, 17, 21, 24

Times: 2-5pm

Final class presentations on July 24th with actors 

Instructor: Hope Villanueva 

Location: Rockville (Address TBD)

You have to know the rules before you can start breaking them and, as we know from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” rules are more of guidelines anyhow. We will examine and create story, plot, character, and the essential Central Dramatic Question. By the end of these sessions, you will have a draft of either a ten-minute play, or the first scene of a longer work. The class will culminate in an opportunity to hear plays read and receive feedback. 

***Instructor reserves the right to remove students who miss classes or do not complete assigned activities.

(1 workshop) 

Date: Sunday, July 27

Time: 6-9pm

Instructor: Rooster Sultan

Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

Let’s really talk about accessibility in theatre – all are welcome to participate and learn in our roundtable discussion!