Performing Arts Classes

Oglebay Institute’s Performing Arts Department offers a series of youth theater classes each semester. Classes explore character development, stage presence & movement and voice control in a grade level based progressive format. The youth theater program is the perfect supplement to classroom teaching, allowing young thespians to hone their skills outside of school in a real theater environment.

Winter 2026 session begins January 11, 2026.

Winter 2026 Class Registration Opens 9am Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Acting Is Believing
Explore the basics of acting. Exercises in improvisation, character development, focus, voice, and movement help students find truthfulness in their acting. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 14)

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Ages: grades 3-5
Meets: Saturdays, 11am-12pm
Begins: Sat., January 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Tim Thompson

$90/$80 OI members

Acting for Adults 
The class will focus on continuing actor training in combination with scene work. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 8)

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Ages: 18 & up
Meets: Saturdays 1-2pm
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Dennis Fox

$90/$80 OI members

Crazy 8’s Improv!
Learn the basic methods of how-to improv and then put your skills to task learning and playing several short form improv games. At the end of the course, you will become a member of the Crazy 8s Improv Company and perform with them for a live improv show. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 8)

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Ages: grades 9-12
Meets: Thursdays, 5-6pm
Begins: Thurs., Jan. 15
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): David Gaudio

$90/$80 OI members

Directing: Strategies and Solutions
Class will focus on script analysis and pre-production work, audition and rehearsal procedures, and the mechanics of standing up a play. Held at Towngate
Theatre. (Limit 6).

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Ages: 18 & up
Meets: Saturdays, Noon-1pm
Begins: Sat. Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Dennis Fox

$90/$80 OI members

Improv for Kids!
Learn how to make up a scene from a simple suggestion. Students will learn the basic method of how-to improv, learn and play improv games, and gain skills in listening, reacting, trust, and teamwork. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 12).

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Ages: grades 3-6
Meets: Saturdays, Noon-1pm
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructors(s): Cassandra Majetich

$90/$80 OI members

Musical Theatre I (Grades 4-8)
Turn your performance into flair and pizzazz! Learn to “act a melody” and make it seem natural. And of course, singing and dancing take center stage! This class will be lots of fun! Held at Towngate Theatre.

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Grades: 4-8
Meets: Saturdays, 1-2pm
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Erin Bond

$90/$80 OI members

Musical Theatre II (Grades 9-12)
Turn your performance into flair and pizzazz! Learn to “act a melody” and make it seem natural. And of course, singing and dancing take center stage! This class will be lots of fun! Held at Towngate Theatre.

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Grades: 9-12
Meets: Saturdays, 2-3pm
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Erin Bond

$90/$80 OI members

The Playwrights Lab!
Have you ever thought, “I have a great idea for a play!”? Come put the pen to paper! In this course, participants will explore different genres, dramatic styles, and create dialogue through a variety of short scenes exercises. The course will culminate in the writing of your own 10-minute plays. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 10)

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Ages: 18 & up
Meets: Saturdays, 11am-noon
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Cassandra Majetich

$90/$80 OI members

Puppet Masters 
Discover the world of puppetry and mask work! Students will be building puppets of all shapes and sizes and best of all, making them come to life. Held at Towngate Theatre.

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Grades: K-2
Meets: Saturdays,10-10:50 am
Begins: Sat., Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor(s): Cassandra Majetich

$90/$80 OI members

Middle School Private Acting Classes
For the young thespian who wishes to learn more about how an actor prepares and how to create a believable character. Students learn warm-up, relaxation exercises and character analysis tips as well as ways to overcome stage fright. Call Tim Thompson at 304-233-1394 to arrange the day and time. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 6: 3 per age group)

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Ages: grades 6-8
Meets: Arranged
Begins: TBD
Duration: 8 – 45 Minute sessions
Instructors(s): Tim Thompson

$150

High School Private Acting Classes
Learn to take your acting to the next level with one-on-one lessons! Whether you are preparing for a big audition or to tackle a role in a show, students will learn more about how an actor prepares at the high school and pre-college level. Student’s warm-up, relaxation exercises and character analysis to advance their acting skills. Students can customize their lessons to include monologues, audition techniques, musical theatre, film prep, and so much more! Call Cassandra Majetich at 304-906-8828 to arrange the day and time. Held at Towngate Theatre. (Limit 3)

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Ages: grades 9-12
Meets: Arranged
Begins: TBD
Duration: 8 – 45 Minute sessions
Instructors(s): Cassandra Majetich

$150

Respect for Acting
Students will learn how to break down characters, find objectives, and think on their feet as new actors. Also, they will be working on scene study from plays and learn how to create a character analysis. Held at Towngate Theater. (Limit 12).

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Ages: grades 7-12
Meets: Saturdays, Noon-1pm
Begins: Saturday, Jan. 17
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructors(s): Erin Bond

$90/$80 OI members