Fall Registration for our Drama School open
Studio 11
Musical Theatre Focus
Grades 4 - 7
A friendly space for the young actor in grades 4 - 7 to practice acting skills used in the musical theatre. Suitable for both beginners and those with previous acting experience.
No previous singing or dancing experience required.
Several performance opportunites throughout the year.
Like our Fall Studio 11 program, this class emphasizes physical expression, imagination, ensemble awareness and confident performance. However, instead of focusing on improvisation, students works with age-appropriate musical theatre material to explore how a song can unction as a dramatic scene.
This is not a voice-training or dance-technique class. Although students will sing and move, the primary focus is acting. Students learn how to make clear choices about character, intention, emotion, rhythm, movement, and relationships with other characters onstage.
The class follows a structure, progressive format. Students begin with foundational ensemble and movement skills, then apply those skills to short musical passages, character songs, duets, and groups numbers,
The term concludes with a performance in the NYPT Student Showcase at Beban Park Stage in December.
Is "Studio 11:Musical Theatre Focus" right for my child?
This class is designed for children ages 9-12 who have an affinity for musical theatre. Both confident and shy singers are welcome, as the focus of this class is not on "singing" per se but rather acting the song -- which includes responding to rhythm, melody, character, and situation through movement, character, ensemble (relationship to other characters on stage), and intention.
Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Fall 2026 Term Dates:
Sept 17 - Dec 3
12 x 60-min. classes + 1 performance
Performance Date:
Fri. Dec 4, 7:00 pm
Location:
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
4235 Departure Bay Road (behind Country Club Mall
Cost:
$325
(+ $25 annual registration fee, one per family)
Class Information
Meet Your Instructor
Zoe Henderson
Zoe is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Nanaimo. She returned to the city in July 2023, after spending 25 years in Toronto working as a full-time arts educator (music, drama). Professional work includes acting, teaching, directing, producing, playwriting, composing, and music arranging. Formal education includes a B.A. (Honours) in Drama (University of Alberta) as well as advanced certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music in speech arts, singing, piano. Zoe loves teaching theatre to young people and is committed to building spaces where each child can grow, thrive, develop their voice, and explore their potential. She created Nanaimo Young People's Theatre in 2022.