THEATRE CLASSES & PRODUCTIONS
Explore our Theatre Offerings
From acting basics to full-scale productions, our theatre classes help students develop stage skills, teamwork, and self-expression while connecting with others in a supportive, creative community.
Experiences That Prepare Students for the Future
Our programs are rooted in high-quality instruction and a warm, inclusive community. Students learn to act, sing, and move, but also to collaborate, communicate clearly, and step forward with confidence.
These experiences shape them as artists and as individuals, preparing them for future opportunities in school, the arts, and life.
programs
Current Class & Production Descriptions
Current classes and productions are described below. Check our registration page for programs that are currently enrolling, or sign up for our mailing list to be notified as soon as new programs are announced!
Improv for Adults (18+)
Learn the basics of improv in this fun, supportive class taught by MB DeKara – teacher and performer at Improv Boston.
Fall Session
September 9 – November 4 ( 9 weeks)
Winter Session
January 6 – March 10 (9 weeks, no class Feb 17)
Spring Session
March 31 – June 9 ( 9 weeks, no class April 21)
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Location: The Great Hall at Apple Tree Arts
Tuition: $270 per session
Teacher: MB Dekara
In the Spotlight (GR 4-6)
In the Spotlight at MSES/NSES
In this after-school program, students will develop confidence and teamwork by exploring the theatre world through basic acting skills, stage direction, self-expression, gestures, and character development.
This program culminates in a final performance of a skit for families at the end of the final class.
Fall (8 weeks)
MSES: Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
NSES: Thursdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Winter (8 weeks)
MSES: Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
NSES: Thursdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Spring (8 weeks)
MSES: Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
NSES: Thursdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Tuition: (for each 8 week session) $210
Teacher: Megan Schreiber
Behind the Scenes at WCEC (GR 4-6)
“Behind the Scenes” is an Apple Tree Arts theatre enrichment course that aims to be an intro to the theatre education program.
Under the supervision of Brenden Bartlett, students will develop confidence and teamwork by exploring the theatre world through basic acting skills, stage direction, self-expression, gestures, and character development. This program culminates in a final performance of a skit for families at the end of the final class.
Dates, days and times TBA
Create-a-Play | Session 3: “Let’s Go to the Movies” (Create Your Own Movie Trailers) (Gr. 3-6)
Create a Play: Students will brainstorm, write, rehearse, and perform an original play — all in one exciting week! Through improv games, character creation, and teamwork, campers bring their own ideas to life and share their final production with families on Friday.
Session 3: “Let’s Go to the Movies” (Create Your Own Movie Trailers)
August 3-7, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (1 week)
Location: The Great Hall
Tuition: $450
Teacher: Megan Schreiber
Max enrollment: 20 per session
Teen Theatre: Hadestown Teen Edition (Gr. 8-12)
Orpheus, a hopeful young musician, embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld to rescue his beloved Eurydice after she is lured there by the promise of security by the enigmatic ruler Hades. In the underworld, Eurydice faces the harsh realities of Hadestown, a factory where souls toil endlessly, forgotten by the world above. Meanwhile, the strained relationship between Hades and his wife Persephone mirrors the cycles of decay and growth, influencing the fates of those below and above.
Hadestown is not only a narrative of individual journeys but also a commentary on societal issues such as power, wealth, and the resilience of human spirit in the face of adversity. With its emotive performances, rich lyrical storytelling, and dynamic score, Hadestown offers a profound theatrical experience that invites audiences to question what it means to make sacrifices for love and to dream of a better world.
Dates: July 27 to August 7, 9:00 to 3:00 pm (2 weeks)
Performances: August 7th & 8th at 7:00 pm
Location: Grafton High School
Tuition: $850
Teachers: Lisa Scarlett, Emily Stratton
Max enrollment: 35
FALL | Mini Musical (Gr K-4): “How to Train Your Reindeer”
Located at the North Pole, the School of Reindeer teaches young animals standard subjects alongside specialized flying skills. Young reindeer grow frustrated when they cannot simply take off, realizing that flight is unlocked through kindness rather than mechanics.
October 17th – December 5th
Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Performance: Saturday, December 5, 7:00 pm
Location: The Great Hall at Apple Tree Arts
Tuition: $375
Teacher: Megan Schreiber
FALL | Young Adult Musical (Gr 7-12): “Into the Woods Jr.”
This show weaves together classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales centering on a childless baker and his wife, Cinderella, and Jack as they journey into the woods to make their deepest wishes come true
October 7 – December 12
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 pm (no rehearsal Nov 25/26 – Thanksgiving break)
Additional rehearsal Monday, November 23, 6:30 to 8:30 (Thanksgiving week)
Tech Week: Monday December 7 to Thursday December 11, 5:30 pm to 8:30/9 pm (The full cast needs to be at all tech week rehearsals)
Performances: Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12, 7:00 pm
Location: Rehearsals at Grafton Middle School, Tech Week and performances at Grafton High School
Tuition: $725
Teachers: Megan Schreiber, Emily Stratton
WINTER | Youth Musical (Gr 2-6): “101 Dalmatians Kids”
Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anita’s former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.
January 6 – March 13
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm (no rehearsals Feb 17/18 – school vacation)
Tech Week: Monday March 8th – Thursday March 11th, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm (The full cast needs to be at all tech week rehearsals)
Performances: Friday, March 12th & Saturday, March 13th
Location: Grafton Middle School
Tuition: $625
Teachers: Emily Stratton, Katie Vennard
WINTER | Mini Musical (Gr 1-4): Show Title TBD
January 2 – March 6
Saturdays 10:00 am to 12:30 pm (No rehearsal Feb 15 – School Vacation)
Performance: Saturday, March 6th, 7:00 pm
Location: The Great Hall at Apple Tree Arts
Tuition: $375
Teacher: Megan Schreiber
A place to have fun.
I’ve built a lot of great friendships and relationships, and I’ve grown as a person and a performer. I’m having fun on stage and off stage.
– Kathleen
Support the Arts With Us!
For more than 30 years, Apple Tree Arts has provided a welcoming space for music and theatre in our community.
None of this would be possible without you.