Piper Youth Theatre

Ensemble Based.  Process Driven. Physical Theatre. Join a community of emerging young artists!

Summer Education (July 2024)

Check out everything Piper has to offer this summer! Head to the bottom of the page for essential information about these programs.

Starlings Imagination Stations

8 students / Rising 2nd & 3rd Graders
3 Sessions / $500

Session 1:  July 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 The Jabberwocky
Session 2:  July 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Walrus & the Carpenter (WAIT LIST ONLY)
Session 3:  July 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 The Red Queen

Weeklong immersions in creative play, improvisation and physical storytelling where exploration and imagination soars. Small groups will create their very own play, make their costumes and sets, and perform for family and friends—a gentle introduction to the world of theater-making. This summer’s themes will be inspired by the season’s exploration of ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

Piper Starlings Shakespeare

12 students / Rising 4th, 5th & 6th Graders
July 1-12 (no class on July 4th) / $950

An introduction to Shakespeare.  An immersion into verse, swordplay, world building culminating in a 35-minute play.

AS YOU LIKE IT ~ Embark on a whimsical journey with Rosalind, a clever and spirited young girl, and her cousin Celia as they dive headfirst into the enchanting Forest of Arden! Get ready for belly laughs, new friendships, and unexpected surprises as they encounter a cast of quirky characters—like the hilarious Touchstone, the melancholy Jacques, and the lovestruck shepherds and shepherdesses. With disguises, love-struck antics, and a sprinkle of magic, this playful tale is a wild ride that will ignite the imagination of young actors. It's a celebration of love, laughter, and the pure joy of being true to yourself. Shakespeare's classic comedy has never been this much fun!

Piper Theatre Workshop

These workshops allow students to create a physical adaptation of a classic work of fiction with an emphasis on physicality, transformative props, and ensemble storytelling.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Rising 4th, 5th & 6th Grade / July 1 -27* (No Class July 4th; *Saturday Performance) / $2050

A poor little boy opens a chocolate bar with a winning golden ticket, and his life is forever changed.  The doors to the mysterious factory open here this summer!  Join the fun!

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Rising 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th Grade / July 1 -27* (No Class July 4th; *Saturday Performance) / $2050
Alice’s further adventures as she moves through a mirror into another unreal world of illogical behavior, this one dominated by chessboards and chess pieces, Red and White Queens, and a strange white rabbit.

Piper Musical Workshop

An introductory exploration of musical theatre.  Structured for students with an interest in musical theatre and who are ready to learn how to sing and dance.  Musicals are 35 – 45 minutes with at least 6 songs. 

Billy Ragamatag (An original musical by Rob Parker.  Book by John P. McEneny.) 
Rising 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Grade / July 15-28* (Saturday & Sunday Performance) / $1125

A boy who is different is born into the hard-laboring mining community of Scofield, Utah. Deemed obsolete by his siblings after the tragic death of his father in a mine explosion, he takes a train north and finds employment with the Shadow Circus, a mysterious spectacle full of magic, intrigue, and heart-pounding performances. Can Billy finally find his place in the world of the circus, or will a tragic accident end the Shadow Circus – and Billy’s new, beloved world – forever? 

Musical Intensives

An intensive musical theatre experience where students learn to sing, dance, and act in a full musical.  Students should have at least acted in one musical before and be seeking a rigorous environment. Students will audition for both shows. Preferences will be taken into consideration, but students in the intensives must remain open and may be cast in either production. Rising 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, &11th Grade / July 1-28* (Saturday & Sunday Performance) / $2250

The Little Mermaid Jr. 
Book is by
Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman (written for the film), with additional lyrics by Glenn Slater.  Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film. Music Adapted and Arranged by David Weinstein.

Dive into the enchanting world of Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr., where the stage becomes a vibrant underwater realm filled with whimsical sea creatures, toe-tapping musical numbers, and the timeless tale of Ariel's daring journey to discover a whole new world above the waves. This junior production brings the magic of the animated classic to life with dazzling costumes, catchy tunes, and a wave of unforgettable characters, making it a must-see spectacle for audiences of all ages.

*Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Between the Lines
Music and Lyrics by Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson. Book by Timothy Allen McDonald. Based on a book by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer.

Meet Delilah, a 17-year-old bookworm facing the challenges of a new school, an absent father, and an overwhelmed mother. Yearning for a break from the dreariness of her life, Delilah gets magically drawn into the pages of a children's fantasy book. In this whimsical world, she befriends the goofy Prince Oliver, and together they embark on a quest to bridge the gap between their fictional and real lives. Every character, including a tap-happy dog named Will Burton, longs for a different life, adding layers of humor and charm to the story. The show promises good-natured, escapist fun, making it perfect for those who love a magical adventure.  As Delilah and Prince Oliver's passionate yet chaste romance unfolds, audiences are treated to a tale that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. The narrative cleverly explores the transformative power of storytelling, self-discovery, and the ability to rewrite one's own story. (Listen to the music on Spotify!)  

Between the Lines is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Piper Advanced Musical Intensives

Please note: This program is designed for students who have spent more than four years in Piper’s education programs. Students must be invited or apply for this advanced program. In a small group, students will be working as an ensemble on two new productions. Limited to 7 students. If you would like to apply: please contact john@pipertheatre.org.

SESSION FULL

Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade / July 1-28* (Saturday & Sunday Performance) / $2450.
Students will rehearse their Mainstage July 1 - 26 from 9:00 to 3:00 pm.

Colors in My Bedroom
Music and Lyrics by Joshua Cantone

The musical takes you through the story of Henry, along with his three best friends, James, Carter, and Ameerah, as they come of age in a world that has shut down around them due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They struggle with watching the world slowly crumble outside their windows, seeing the death around them and the seemingly endless isolation, all while living their lives and learning who they are through a computer screen. Issues emerge when the time comes to return to “normalcy,” and they are forced to come to terms with the fact that the world, along with their relationships, will never be the same. A story of four friends - teenagers - coming of age during one of the most difficult times in history (a pandemic), combined with political turmoil, social unrest, and divisiveness.

Students will rehearse Colors in My Bedroom:  July 8 - 19. Times TBD.

Afterschool Education (Winter 2024)

Nelly Olsen: Bonnets and Brawls by Laura Dillman Frank
10 Weeks / 10 Sessions; $375
Directed by Freyja Goldstein

Tuesdays, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19; 3:30pm-5:30pm

For over a century, poor Nelly Olsen has been the victim of some major character assassination, all thanks to that opportunistic Laura Ingalls Wilder. But hold your horses because now it’s time to set the record straight about the real hero in Walnut Grove. This is the untold saga of a little lady destined for greatness. Whether she’s snatching the title of Butter Churning Queen, holding it down behind the mercantile counter, or swooping in like a guardian angel to rescue orphans from a burning blind school, Nelly was the absolute darling of her cozy little midwest town. Everything was hunky-dory until the wicked Ingalls family rolled into town and stirred up all sorts of trouble. Brace yourselves for the real deal, folks – Nelly’s tale is the one you didn’t know you needed.

Essential Information for Summer 2024

There’s so much happening this summer!
Here’s everything you need to know:

The ages listed for each program are suggestions.  There are no cut-offs for age.  Artists are at different development periods.  If a younger child would like to work with older children or an older child is comfortable with younger children, that is fine. 

Please contact john@pipertheatre.org for more information to see where your child might find success.

All summer rehearsals will be held from 9am – 4pm at a Park Slope location to be determined.
Due to the performance nature of our program, students are expected to attend EVERY day.

  • COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged for all students and staff. Students will need to provide proof of MMR immunizations.

  • Financial aid is available upon request. Application Deadline is April 1, 2024 (early submission strongly recommended.) 
    Apply upon registration.  Deposit waived pending awards announced on April 15, 2024.

  • Non-refundable deposit is required upon registration:

  • $250 for one-week programs / $500 for two-week, three-week & four-week programs

  • Full payment is due by May 15, 2024

  • 10% Sibling Discount

  • Titles and Dates are subject to change