Drama Department
Drama Department - Core Philosophy
“The drama program at South Shore Conservatory offers students of all ages an opportunity to build confidence and enjoy imaginative freedom through enriching, positive theatrical experiences. Rooted in a supportive, holistic approach, our drama classes strive to cultivate individual interests and goals and encourage creative collaboration while emphasizing and embracing the process of “making theatre.” Offerings are designed to support the developmental and artistic needs of each of our students, allowing for growth within the program—dramatic play for our youngest participants, improvisation, scene study, and musical theatre opportunities for older children and teens, and individualized speech and drama coaching for adults.”
Drama Department Chair - Emily Arsenault
Emily Arsenault is a graduate of Boston College, where she received a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a minor in Film Studies. At BC, she had the opportunity to explore many creative interests, receiving training in acting, playwriting, stage movement, filmmaking, and theatre for children. She was also a four-year member of the University Chorale, completing performance tours of Spain, Ireland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy, including a performance at St. Peter’s Basilica. Emily is currently pursuing her M.Ed. in Community Arts and Education at Lesley University, and plans to specialize in Integrated Arts. Having spent many years at the Conservatory as a student of drama, flute, bassoon, and voice, Emily returned in 2003 to work each August as a camp counselor and drama coach in Summer Theatre Workshop. In 2008, she also began working as an assistant in the kindergarten. She remains committed to the process-oriented philosophy of the SSC Drama Department, which offered Emily her first major theatrical experiences, and strives to create a nurturing environment in support of creative risk taking, imaginative growth, and comprehensive arts education.
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Drama Department - Class Offerings
NEW!! Story and Art (ages 4-6)
Avis Goldstein
Legendary educator and storyteller Avis Goldstein opens the door to the wonderful world of visual arts. Touching on themes and images from Drum and Sing and Yoga for Children, Ms. Goldstein weaves her own tales while teaching these young artists the fundamentals of making beautiful art. The creative process abounds, manifesting in art treasures to cherish for a lifetime.
12 weeks/45 min
Hingham: Wednesday, 11:00-11:45 am
$200
| Hingham: Wednesday, 11:00-11:45 am |
Curtain Going Up
Emily Arsenault
Designed for children, 4-6, “Curtain Going Up” offers our youngest performers an opportunity to develop speaking, listening, and social skills through structured dramatic play. Students will engage in creative exploration through participation in theatre games, as well as an age-appropriate “mini-musical” experience, integrating simple song work and movement.
12 weeks/45 min
Hingham: Tuesday, 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Duxbury: Monday, 10:15 - 11:00 am, 3:45 – 4:30 pm,
Thursday, 10:15 - 11:00 am, 2:00 - 2:45 pm
$200
| Hingham: Tuesday, 3:45 – 4:30 pm |
Duxbury: Monday, 3:45 – 4:30 pm |
Duxbury: Thursday, 10:15 – 11:00 am |
| Duxbury: Monday, 10:15 - 11:00 am |
Duxbury: Thursday, 2:00 - 2:45 pm |
|
Act I (Beginning Drama Workshop)
Emily Arsenault
Students, ages 6-9, develop self-confidence and creativity through improvisation games, simple scene work, and exposure to a variety of theatrical elements, including music and movement. The Act I workshop introduces the basics of the theatrical process within the framework of a nurturing and individualized environment. 12 weeks
Hingham: Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 pm
Duxbury: Monday, 4:30-5:30 pm
$265
| Hingham: Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 pm | Duxbury: Monday, 4:30-5:30 pm |
Act II (Intermediate Drama Workshop)
Emily Arsenault
For students 10+, the Act II workshop offers an opportunity for students to grow as actors with a focus on scene study, posture, voice, stage movement, and acting and musical theatre techniques. This program aims to attend to the individual needs and interests of each student while promoting confidence and creativity throughout the theatrical process. 12 weeks
Hingham: Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 pm
Duxbury: Monday, 5:30-6:30 pm
$265
| Hingham: Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 pm |
Duxbury: Monday, 5:30-6:30 pm |
Act III: Music Theatre Revue
Ellen Kelly, Tom Boyer, Lorna Jane Norris
Middle- and high-school students are invited to participate in this performance-based class, dedicated to the training of the young performer in all facets of the musical theatre form—singing, working with an accompanist, and acting. During the 10-week workshop, young performers will be coached by a vocal expert, musical director, and acting teacher. The finale of each workshop will be a cabaret-style revue.
10 weeks
Hingham: Saturday, 12:00-2:00 pm
$300
| Hingham: Saturday, 12 - 2 pm |
Speak Up, Speak Out, and Speak for Yourself
Ellen Kelly
This user-friendly workshop eases reluctant speakers into public speaking situations with others, and helps those who may want to brush up on their interviewing skills. Exercises and games focus on problem solving while taking the time to listen, react, relax, and enjoy. Individual needs and concerns are taken into consideration when constructing the workshop.
Drama/Speech Instruction for Adults
Ellen Kelly
Preparation for auditions and individual/small-group coaching in speech and drama are available by appointment.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.