Classes
Learn performance fundamentals or expand your existing knowledge in one of our classes!
Playing Pretend: Charlotte's Web (Grades K-2)
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM (Studio)
March 22 - April 26
Join us for an exciting six-week journey into the world of Charlotte's Web! Designed for young learners in grades K-2, this class invites students to work as an ensemble to bring the beloved story to life using the actor’s tools: body, voice, and imagination. Each week, participants will explore scenes, characters, and themes from the book through creative movement, vocal exercises, and storytelling activities.
Students will develop their confidence, collaboration, and self-expression while discovering the magic of theatre. Together, they will spin webs, sing like barnyard animals, and dream like Wilbur as they learn the joy of storytelling. The final class will include a short sharing of the students' favorite moments from the story, presented to family and friends!
No prior theatre experience is necessary—just bring your imagination and a love for fun!
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Led by Maddy Caudill
Maddy is an elementary teacher in Lexington who loves everything theater. She graduated from the University of Kentucky and has lived in Lexington most of her life. She has been involved in many community theater shows over the last few years and has had a passion for teaching and acting since she was little. Maddy just finished her first Woodford Theater show which was Miracle on 34th street. She is so excited to be a teaching artist at Woodford Theater.
Wizards of Woodford: Exploring the world of Harry Potter (Grades 3-5)
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (Studio)
March 22 - April 26
Calling all witches, wizards, and magical storytellers! In Wizards of Woodford, students in grades 3-5 will dive into the enchanting world of Harry Potter to create their own magical adventures. Over six weeks, young performers will explore character creation, world-building, and collaborative storytelling to craft original tales set in the wizarding universe.
Using the actor's tools—body, voice, and imagination—students will bring their stories to life through creative drama activities, improvisation, and scene work. Whether brewing potions, casting spells, or designing magical settings, participants will develop their creativity, teamwork, and confidence as performers and storytellers.
The class will conclude with a showcase of their magical tales, presented to family and friends. No prior theatre experience or magical ability is required—just a love of Harry Potter and a big imagination!
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Led by Esther Neel
Esther is a freelance theatre director and artist based in Lexington, Kentucky. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Scenic Art from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. She has worked in many areas of theatre from directing and teaching, to painting and props. Some of the local organizations she has worked with include Lexington Children's Theatre, UK Opera, and Leeds Center for the Arts. A few of her favorite shows she has directed include Peter and the Starcathcer, Charlotte’s Web, Holes, and The Cat in The Hat.
Esther has a passion for working alongside young artists to create compelling, imaginative theatre through collaboration and honest storytelling. For a look at her work you can visit estherneel.com She is thrilled to be a part of the creative process at Woodford this season!
Advanced Scene Study (Grades 9-12)
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Mainstage)
March 22 - April 26
Step into the next level of your acting journey with this advanced scene study class for high school students. Designed for passionate performers in grades 9-12, this six-week course focuses on transitioning from independent work to organic and collaborative scene work with a partner.
Through intensive coaching, students will explore script analysis, character development, and relationship dynamics while learning to respond authentically to their scene partner. This class emphasizes building trust, communication, and creative synergy in a shared storytelling process.
Each student will work with a partner to rehearse and refine a challenging scene that showcases their growth as an actor. The course will culminate in a final performance for family and friends, highlighting each duo’s ability to connect and collaborate on stage.
This class is perfect for dedicated students ready to deepen their craft and elevate their performance in a supportive, ensemble-focused environment.
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Led by Forrest Loeffler
Forrest is a Lexington based actor, he received his formal training at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois where he received a BFA in acting. Over the past several years he has worked with various regional and community theaters in and around the bluegrass, including Leeds Center for the Arts, The REP, Athens West, Pioneer Playhouse, Studio Players, Woodford Theater and Adventure theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Leo Bloom in The Producers, Clifford Anderson in Death Trap, Orin Scrivello D.D.S. in Little Shop of Horrors, and BLACK STACHE! in Peter and the Starcatcher. You may have seen him most recently in The Music Man as Marcellus Washburn. He currently portrays Abraham Lincoln with Kentucky Chautauqua Humanities and will be starring in The 39 Steps this summer with Pioneer Playhouse.
Musical Theatre Showcase
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
March 22 - April 26
Step into the spotlight in this fun and engaging six-week Musical Theatre Showcase class! Designed for students in grades 6-12, this class will guide young performers through the essentials of musical theatre, from singing harmonies to mastering choreography.
The session begins with a skill assessment to help our experienced instructors select four dynamic musical theatre numbers tailored to the strengths and talents of the class. Students will learn to sing as an ensemble, refine their dance skills, and bring each performance piece to life with confidence and style.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or new to the stage, this class provides a supportive environment to grow your skills and experience the thrill of musical theatre. The session will culminate in a dazzling showcase where students can share their hard work with friends and family!
Don’t miss your chance to shine!
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Erin Leland Tuttle has been teaching music and theatre to young artists for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in music and theatre. Over the years she has taught music and theatre in public schools, in her own music studio, in local theatres, with special needs choir groups, and as a contracted musical theatre director and director in theatres and public and private schools. Whenever her calendar allows, Erin also adores being on stage, performing in musicals and plays for over 25 years with local theatres including Woodford Theatre. Erin and her husband, Mike, have two bands in which they perform often around Central Kentucky. They have two sons: Xander, also a theatre performer who writes/produces his own music and Addison, who attends The University of Kentucky in the Musical Theatre program.
Grace Hensley is a senior at the University of Kentucky studying Theatre and Communications with a Musical Theatre Certificate. Raised in Lexington, she has been training in this area since she was eight years old and is passionate about giving back to the community that helped her find her love for theatre. Grace seeks creativity in all her endeavors, connecting her to The Walt Disney Company, iTheatrics, Junior Theatre Festival, and performing and choreographing in Central KY.
Acting In Scenes: Partners in Performance (Grades 6-8)
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 9:00AM - 10:00AM (Studio)
March 22 - April 26
Take your acting skills to the next level in this six-week scene study class designed for middle school students! Young actors in grades 6-8 will explore the art of performing scripted scenes, focusing on building strong characters, understanding relationships, and honing their acting techniques.
Students will work in pairs to rehearse age-appropriate scenes chosen to match their unique abilities and interests. Through coaching and collaborative work, they will learn how to analyze a script, connect with their scene partner, and bring authentic emotion to their performances.
The final session will feature a showcase of each duo’s polished scene, presented to family and friends. Whether you’re new to acting or looking to grow as a performer, this class is a perfect opportunity to deepen your craft and confidence!
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Led by Sarah Dorrell
Sarah Dorrell has experience in various production aspects of the theatre world, including production roles in 3 Woodford Theatre productions in the last year. Her personal growth journey has recently led her to taking a leap of faith back onstage! She has a significant amount of experience in working with youth and has joined the WTYA teaching staff this season! Sarah is thankful for this opportunity working alongside genuine, talented professionals that better our community together. She believes in the therapeutic power of sharing stories authentically and vulnerably: a powerful experience for storyteller and story engager alike.
"You and Not-You" An Organic Acting Class (Ages 18+)
$150 + convenience fee
Saturdays 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (Mainstage)
March 22 - April 26
Have you ever seen good acting and thought: “How are they making that so real??” Here's your chance to develop your own skill set for authentic, unique, and organic acting. Through the “You” available to each actor (your body, voice, emotional landscape, and lived experiences), learn how to discover the “Not-You” of a character (their life, movement, voice, responses etc)
This class is perfect for anyone who has been a stellar ensemble member and wants to break into their main-character energy, and any experienced actor who wants to further develop their skills.
Drawn from the techniques of Nikolai Demidov (a protege of Stanislavski), actors will develop an impulse-based method for living in the moment, spontaneously responding to scene partners and the given circumstances of the imaginary world.
Registration begins Friday, January 17th!
Led by Lisa Woods
Lisa Woods is a theatre artist, teacher, and writer. A Woodford County native who has lived and worked in NYC, Chicago, and regionally, she is thrilled to be back home in the Bluegrass and part of this vibrant theatre community. Lisa holds an MFA-Acting from the Asolo Conservatory/FSU, a BA-Theatre from UK, is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory-Chicago, and is proud to be an Adjunct Theatre Faculty member for both UK and BCTC. She has recently appeared in productions for Woodford Theatre, Ingenuity Unlimited, and Antagonist Productions, and has directed for The 10 Minute Play Fest at Studio Players. Her original solo-play Thread and Bone premiered at the Chicago Fringe Festival in 2018 where it received the volunteer choice award, and has since appeared at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and The Waterworks in St Augustine Florida. You can catch her being weird for laughs with Central Kentucky Improv.
