Spring 2026 Workshop Classes

Grades: 8-Adult
Schedule: Saturdays 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM*
Tuition: $325
First Class: Saturday, January 3rd
*Filming dates will be extended until 7:30 PM

Step into the spotlight - and onto the screen. In this advanced “older sister” to our Lights! Camera! Action! class, students will take their on-camera performance skills to the next level through an immersive, hands-on approach to acting for film, TV, and digital media. Designed for high school students and adults, this course bridges technique and industry readiness, helping performers develop the tools and confidence to shine on camera in any setting.

Each week, actors will explore music video performance, self-tape technique, and partner or group scene work, learning how to adjust their craft for the intimacy and precision that on-camera acting demands. From emotional truth in close-up moments to hitting marks naturally on set, students will gain practical experience that translates directly to real-world auditions and professional opportunities.

By the end of the session, every participant will walk away with professionally edited clips from each project - polished, ready-to-share footage for auditions, demo reels, social media, or representation submissions.

Taught by Jessica Rae Foulds, this course offers personalized, actor-focused guidance in a supportive and professional environment. Whether you’re preparing for your first screen test or refining your presence for your next big opportunity, Acting for the Camera will equip you with the skill, confidence, and versatility to make every frame count.

Grades: 7-12
Schedule: Wednesdays 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuition: $295
First Class: Wednesday, January 29th

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Build the bridge between knowing music and making music. This course solidifies the concepts learned in Basic Music Theory for Singers and transforms them into hands-on musicianship skills every performer needs. Acting as a bridge between basic and intermediate music theory, Aural Skills Foundations focuses on practical application in a performance environment - helping students become confident, independent musicians.

Through engaging exercises and interactive training, students will develop essential skills including sight-reading, beginner piano technique, rhythmic fluency in multiple time signatures, and an introduction to Solfège. These foundations allow young artists to strengthen their ability to read and interpret music accurately across various clefs and styles.

By the end of the semester, students will not only hear music differently - they’ll think like musicians. Aural Skills Foundations is the vital next step for any singer, instrumentalist, or performer ready to refine their ear, deepen their understanding, and elevate their craft.

Grades: 8-12
Schedule: Wednesdays 8:15 PM - 9:45 PM
Tuition: $295
First Class: Wednesday, January 29th

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Ascend to new heights in your musical journey. Building upon the foundation of Advanced Music Theory for Singers, this capstone course transforms theoretical knowledge into practical mastery. Designed for advanced students ready to refine every aspect of their musicianship, Advanced Aural Skills provides the final layer of training for those pursuing excellence in performance, composition, or musical study. Students will continue to develop their sight-reading (now expanding into minor keys), rhythmic fluency, and piano “play and sing” technique, while engaging in bi-weekly intensive workshops that elevate the experience beyond traditional classroom study. In these workshops, students will explore advanced dictation exercises - both melodic and rhythmic - and compose their own musical excerpts to share and analyze with peers.

The attentive listening component goes deeper than ever before, training students to identify subtle shifts in instrumentation, orchestration, and compositional color that define character and emotion in musical theatre and beyond.

Ideal for aspiring vocalists, musicians, and performers seeking a comprehensive, conservatory-level approach to musicianship, this course is perfect for those aiming to excel in competitive college programs and professional environments.

Grades: 4-7
Schedule: Thursdays 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuition: $200
First Class: Thursday, January 29th

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This class introduces young actors to the process of scene work and its application to performance and rehearsals. Students explore foundational exercises, script analysis, and active listening in a supportive, ensemble-based environment. Scene Study becomes a space for cooperative learning, where students develop genuine partner connection, mutual trust, and strong craft. 

The course offers hands-on performance experience and individualized, constructive feedback to build confidence and spark a lifelong love of acting.

The class is taught by Molly O’Steen, an experienced theater educator with over thirteen years of teaching in the NYC metropolitan area. A former Director of the Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School and a Newsweek-featured innovator, Molly is known for creating inclusive, engaging curricula and helping students of all learning styles grow as performers.

Grades: 10-Adult
Schedule: Sundays 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM (ON ZOOM)
Tuition: $295
FirstClass: Sunday, February 1st

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Discover the true power of your voice in this immersive 10-week intensive that merges science and artistry. Designed for high school students, collegiate singers, and emerging voice teachers, this course offers a deep exploration into the anatomy, physiology, and technique behind exceptional singing—perfect for those looking to deepen their anatomical knowledge or explore a more scientific approach to their craft.

Rooted in a compression between 21st-century, evidence-based vocal pedagogy, the timeless bel canto traditions of history’s greatest singers, and the teachings of renowned pedagogues, this program studies and applies this trifecta—uniting the wisdom of the past with the precision of modern voice science. Students will examine how these principles inform sustainable, expressive, and technically secure singing across genres and teaching contexts.

Under the expert guidance of Joe Santaniello, master voice technician and founder of Santaniello Vocal Studios, singers will uncover how the body, breath, and sound work together to form a healthy, expressive, and versatile voice. Through a balance of technical study and hands-on application, participants will learn to engage the correct vocal muscles, master efficient breath management, and apply professional concepts such as support, appoggio, chiaroscuro, and lean. The course explores multiple vocal styles—from classical and musical theatre to contemporary commercial music (CCM)—helping singers develop both flexibility and confidence across styles.

Each week, participants will analyze the mechanics of sound production, practice targeted vocal exercises, and receive individualized strategies for improving tone, resonance, and stamina. By the end of the intensive, students will possess both a scientific understanding of their instrument and the artistic insight to use it with authenticity and mastery.

About the Instructor:

Led by Joe Santaniello, a NATS-certified voice teacher whose students have become Jimmy Award Finalists and gone on to study at The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and other top conservatories and universities, this course fuses the rigor of voice science with the inspiration of performance artistry.

This class is ever-evolving, reflecting our continually expanding understanding of the voice. It is required for upperclassmen company students at Rising Stars Performing Arts but is often taken more than once as students grow, refine, and reframe their technical and pedagogical awareness over time.

Join us for a transformative 10-week journey into the art and science of singing—where timeless tradition meets contemporary pedagogy, and every artist learns to unlock their most resonant, expressive sound.

Grades: 8-12
Schedule: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 2/2, 2/9, 2/16
Tuition: $75

This advanced workshop is for students interested in the craft of sketch comedy and its relationship with improvisation, storytelling, and collaboration. Through long-form improv and ensemble discussion, students discover ideas and develop original scenes and characters. The course emphasizes experimentation, creative risk-taking, and building strong comedic instincts. Students should have previous improv experience, an open mind, and a passion for creating great work with other performers.

This workshop is led by Molly O’Steen, a veteran educator of over thirteen years with a background in Theatre Education and Special Education. Formerly the Director of the Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School, Molly creates innovative, accessible learning environments and has been recognized in Newsweek for her groundbreaking work in arts education.