Join us for this exciting new offering from our WCT Academy. This nearly yearlong project will give students the opportunity to create new works and bring them to life on stage. We’re excited to provide this opportunity to showcase the amazing young talent in our community.

Play Festival Description

It starts with the writing! Eight students will be accepted into the writing program in the fall, where they will work with our instructors to create, develop, and refine their 10 minute plays.

In January, eight students will be enrolled in our directing program, where they will learn the core skills necessary to being a stage director. They will be given the 10 minute scripts from the writing class, and will work to find the best way to execute those scripts.

That’s where our student actors come in! In late February, students enrolled in our acting program will audition for and be cast in one of the 10 minute scripts. Working with the student directors and our professional mentors, these creative teams will learn what it takes to bring a script to life on stage.

Students age 14 – 18 can apply to be a writer, director, or actor. Writers may also apply as actors OR directors, but due to rehearsal overlap, no one can be in both the directing and the acting group.

Play Festival Dates

September 23: Writing Applications due
September 30: Writing Class notifications go out
October 12: Writing Class begins
November 19: Writing Class ends
December 16: Directing Applications due
December 23: Directing Class notifications go out
January 18: Directing class begins
February 23: Directing class ends
February 10: Acting Applications due
February 17: Acting Class applications go out
February 27-28: Auditions
March 6: Rehearsals Begin
March 27-30: Tech rehearsals
March 31-April 2: Performances

Writers, Directors, and Actors, oh my!

The Student Writers' Workshop

October 12 – November 19, Wednesday & Thursdays, from 4 – 6 p.m.

Class size: 8 students, Ages 14 -18
Instructors: Meghan Hopper and Doug Jarecki
Tuition: $200 (6 week course)

This exciting first phase of the WCT Academy Play Festival will provide each student with an opportunity to create their own 10 minute play. With step-by-step guidance from our instructors, our writers will learn the basics of storytelling for the stage: character, conflict, dialogue, story structure, and more. Working with their fellow writers, they will not only learn to give positive and constructive feedback on other scripts, but they will learn how to receive feedback from
others and apply it to their own work.

This is an application based class dependent upon acceptance after writing sample has been submitted. To apply, click the link below and submit a short writing sample along with your personal details.

Apply Here

The Student Director's Workshop

Jaunay 18 – February 23 , Wednesdays & Thursdays, from 4 – 6 p.m.
Class Size: 8 students ages 14 – 18
Instructor: Dustin Martin
Tuition: $200 (six week course)

The director is the individual whose responsibility is to develop the creative vision for a script and working to bring that vision to life. Working with performers, stage managers, lighting designers, costume designers, set designers, sound designers, and other production team members, the director is involved in all aspects of what an audience sees on stage.
Under the guidance of Dustin J. Martin, Artistic Director of SummerStage of Delafield and frequent WCT director, students will learn what it takes to develop a creative, collaborative, and supportive environment for a production to succeed. This class will provide a unique and in-depth directing experience through learning how to:

  • Lead analysis of the script
  • Create the rehearsal schedule
  • Work with actors and technicians
  • Organize blocking to tell actors where to move in each scene
  • Break down scenes to develop characterizations
  • Maintain communication with the stage manager and the rest of the production team
  • Schedule cues for lighting and sound designers
  • Oversee full runs of the show to ready the show for performance

Taking what they’ve learned in this directing class, each student will be charged with directing one script from our fall writing group. They will have the opportunity to go through a rehearsal process, work with designers and production crews, and provide direction for their student performers.

For acceptance into the directing group, students must provide a personal essay (not to exceed 500 words) explaining why they would like to join the directing group.  Submission deadline is December 16. Students will be notified either way about their acceptance into the directing group by December 23, at which time the Theatre will reach out about tuition payment and registration.

Apply Here

Actors' Experience - Rehearse and Perform

Auditions—February 27 & 28
Rehearsals—3/6-24 (4:00-6:00pm, Mon-Fri)*
*Students will not be called for every rehearsal. A more detailed rehearsal schedule will be given as we get closer to the start date.

Tech Week—3/27-30 (4:00-7:00pm)*
*Tech and performances are mandatory.
Performances—3/31-4/2

Class Size: 24 students, Ages 14 -18
Instructors: Shannon Messplay and Madison Penzkover
Tuition: $100

Students in the acting group will have a unique opportunity to perform in completely original, student-written scripts. Under the guidance of our professional instructors, actors will work with student directors to bring these stories to life on stage for the very first time. Students will be notified either way about casting decisions, at which time the Theatre will reach out about tuition payment and registration.

For acceptance into the acting group, students must provide a personal essay (not to exceed 500 words) explaining why they would like to join the acting group, as well as previous acting experience (if any).  Submission deadline is February 10. Students will be notified either way about their acceptance into the acting group by February 17, at which time the Theatre will reach out about tuition payment and registration.

APPLICATION COMING SOON!