The Acting Techniques class for ages 7-11 features scripts written specifically for this age group. These scripts are drawn from classic children's stories such as fairy tales and folk tales, as well as more modern stories and original works. Regardless of the script chosen, students will enjoy immersing themselves in their characters and have fun bringing the story to life on stage!

This class is ideal for children who are new to theater and acting, as well as those with some experience. Regardless of skill level, every child will gain an understanding of the importance of theater and develop their own appreciation for the craft.

Acting Techniques students will:

• Audition and be cast in role(s) for the selected play
• Develop their acting skills through character analysis and character development
• Engage in activities that improve voice projection, nonverbal communication, improvisation, movement, and more
• Learn effective techniques for line memorization
• Practice and apply stage directions and blocking
• Collaborate as an ensemble to bring the production to life
• Have fun and actively participate in creating the show!

This class will strengthen a students' ability to cooperate with others, focus on a task, and gain self-confidence.

All students who register for the class will be cast in the chosen play through auditions held on the first day. Each role in the production is unique, with different line loads and skill requirements. Students will have lines to memorize, which will require practice at home. Parents are encouraged to be available to help their child with line memorization.

Throughout the Acting Techniques class students will apply the skills they have learned and ultimately perform for an audience. The one-act play performed will be approximately 25-30 minutes in length. The specific play selected for this class will depend on the total number of students enrolled and what suits the ability levels in this age group best. The chosen play will be announced on the first day of class.

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IMPORTANT CLASS LOCATION & INFORMATION:

**NOTE: New location for our classes.**

Clarendon Elementary School

915 Clarendon Ave.  *  Mukwonago, WI 53149

CLASS TIME:  4:00 - 6:00pm

CLASS DAYS:  Tuesdays - March 3, 10, 17, 24 & April 7, 14, 2026

*FINAL CLASS DAY/TIME: Friday, April 24, 2026 from 4:00 - 6:00pm

*The final class date is being held on Friday, April 24th due to the fact that there is an elementary school concert on 4/23 and the choir riser will be up Mon - Thurs of this week. The risers would make it impossible for us to rehearse properly so our only option was to hold the final class on Friday of that week. We appreciate your flexibility.

DRESS REHEARSAL / PERFORMANCE DAY:

Saturday, April 25, 2026

• 11am - Student arrival & Dress Rehearsal
• 2pm - Performance

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All students enrolled in this class are required to attend the final two class sessions, as well as the final dress rehearsal and performance day.

Consistent attendance throughout the Acting Production class is vital for the smooth progress of rehearsals and the final performance. Please plan accordingly to ensure your child can participate in every session. We understand that unavoidable conflicts, illnesses, or emergencies may arise, and we will accommodate such situations as needed.

Director/Instructor: Patti Punzi

Technical Director/Instructor: Peter Punzi

**WHEN REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE please check all email folders (including spam/promotions) for the confirmation email. 

In order to ensure you receive ALL future communications please add this email (patti@wisconsintheaterarts.org) to your trusted sender list.**

>>1 week PRIOR to the start of class an email will be sent out with important audition and "first day of class" information.

>>3-5 days PRIOR to the start of class emails will be sent out with important drop-off/pick-up information along with other class expectations.

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COSTUME INFORMATION

Basic base costume items like shirts, pants, socks, and shoes are needed for the final performance to wear underneath /with the main costume and are the responsibility of the student and parent. We will communicate what will work for the base items based on the type of costume your child will be wearing in the production. We do our very best to keep it simple and items that you already have or can easily find. 

All main costume items will be provided by Wisconsin Theater Arts unless a student already has items at home that will work for their costume.

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“There are no small parts, only small actors”

(Konstantin Stanislaviski)

Stanislavski was the “father of modern acting”. He revolutionized the craft of acting. Not just for lead performers, but for the actors with small parts and for background actors and ensemble. Prior to Stanislavski, actors who were cast in small roles or in the ensemble often gave “smaller” performances. This means their acting lacked a sense of purpose. Their characters lacked depth and commitment and it was more like they were spectators versus performers.

Stanislavski found this unacceptable. When he arrived on the scene he expected his actors to truly engage in their roles with “equal commitment” regardless of the role size.

When Stanislavski’s company, the Moscow Art Theater, toured around the world, spectators immediately noticed the change he had made. Audiences now saw ALL the actors, even those with smaller roles or those in the ensemble, move with a sense of purpose and perform their characters with depth and truth. There was a full commitment by every actor on the stage to achieve their character’s objective no matter if they had hundreds of lines, a handful of lines, or none at all.

Here are Wisconsin Theater Arts, we follow this same philosophy. 

We believe that every role, no matter its size, is vital to the story and deserves full dedication. Our expectation is that all performers stay true to their characters and bring authenticity to the stage. Every part in a play or musical serves a purpose—if it’s included, it’s important. Therefore, we ask every cast member to give their all and commit fully to their performance, regardless of the role they’ve been cast in.

(Stanislavski info from: https://actingmagazine.com/2018/07/there-are-no-small-parts-only-small-actors-konstantin-stanislavski/)