Fall Acting Classes 2020 - All Virtual!
all photos from summer 2020 virtual productions.
our virtual plays are professionally designed & directed, just like our in-person performances.
Because summer was so successful, we are expanding our offerings this fall so you can remain connected to this creative community. Our fall classes provide acting training and community building through the power of the ensemble. It’s like taking private classes with a small group of friends!
After the final performance […] I was so sad to put my costumes on the front porch, to be picked up. I thought about all I had learned in four weeks, the fun I had, and the friends I had made. It all went by so quickly, and I will really miss it all. I can’t wait to come back next year, and see everyone again! After a lonely spring with the quarantine and COVID-19, this was a great way to reconnect with like-minded friends and jump-start my summer in the most amazing way!
— Student
Our virtual fall acting classes focus on storytelling — either through the all-important skill of improvisation, or by cultivating brevity as the soul of wit in one-act plays.
Small class size means plenty of individual instruction, and the supportive, high-energy environment brings out the best in every student. Whether you’re checking us out for the first time, or a summer camp veteran looking to hone your craft, these classes will take your acting to the next level.
Check out our rehearsal bloopers from the Summer 2020 production of Cymbeline!
D & D Improv
One Act Plays
No audition, no homework
All Imagination!
2 START DATES — SEPT & OCT
INCLUDES: 6 PURPLE DICE!
By audition
A show!
REHEARSALS: OCT-DEC
INCLUDES: COSTUMES, PROPS & SETS!
Harness the popular role-playing game D&D to form a new kind of ensemble: the Adventuring Improv Party! Instead of retelling an already-existing story, we customize each adventure for maximum creativity and theatrical challenge!
Actors will create bold characters, overcome obstacles, and make strategic and innovative choices on the spot as they use long-form improvisation as a storytelling tool.
Each class will feed into the next, in an ongoing original story that encourages actors to work together both as characters and as collaborators designing an expansive story — their own epic adventure!
NEW! Instead of taking an acting class, perform in a play! Get personalized training to kick your skills into high gear, while making new friends in your small ensemble of dedicated actors. Students will learn acting, improv, and filmmaking technique during rehearsals.
The play will be professionally directed and fully produced — with a custom-designed costume delivered to your door, a “Zoomologist” to help with tech, a virtual background set, and filmed vignettes integrated into the play. The public performance is part of our new One Act Festival.
D & D Improv
No audition, no homework
All Imagination!
2 START DATES — SEPT & OCT
INCLUDES: 6 PURPLE DICE!
Harness the popular role-playing game D&D to form a new kind of ensemble: the Adventuring Improv Party! Instead of retelling an already-existing story, we customize each adventure for maximum creativity and theatrical challenge!
Actors will create bold characters, overcome obstacles, and make strategic and innovative choices on the spot as they use long-form improvisation as a storytelling tool.
Each class will feed into the next, in an ongoing original story that encourages actors to work together both as characters and as collaborators designing an expansive story — their own epic adventure!
One Act Plays
By audition
A show!
REHEARSALS: OCT-DEC
INCLUDES: COSTUMES, PROPS & SETS!
NEW! Instead of taking an acting class, perform in a play! Get personalized training to kick your skills into high gear, while making new friends in your small ensemble of dedicated actors. Students will learn acting, improv, and filmmaking technique during rehearsals.
The play will be professionally directed and fully produced — with a custom-designed costume delivered to your door, a “Zoomologist” to help with tech, a virtual background set, and filmed vignettes integrated into the play. The public performance is part of our new One Act Festival.
6th and 9th graders have choices at Traveling Players! You can choose to either age up into an older age group, or stay and be a leader in the younger age group – either way you’re sure to have a ton of fun!
Current 6th Graders
- If you’re new to theatre, or you just finished the Acting Sampler Week or the Mythology Ensemble, we recommended that you stay in the 4th– 6th grade program. Most of your friends from the summer will be here and you will work with many of the amazing teachers you already know and love.
- If you’re looking for a new challenge, or if you were a part of the Thespian Ensemble we recommend that you join our 6th-9th grade program.
Current 9th Graders
- If you’re new to theatre, or if you just finished our Thespian Ensemble, we recommended that you stay in the 6th-9th grade program. Most of your friends from the summer will be here, and you will work with many of the amazing teachers you already know and love.
- If you’re looking for a new challenge, or if you were a part of the Shakespeare Ensemble, we recommend that you join our 9th-12th grade program.
If you have any questions about which program would be perfect for you please call (703-987-1712) or email (campdirector@
What’s a Pod? To fight the social isolation kids are feeling right now, some parents are choosing to “take camp” with another family. Both kids would be at one house with their laptops and headphones, either inside or outside. During breaks, they could kick a soccer ball, eat brownies, walk the dog, or help each other memorize lines. They could be at the same house all the time, alternate houses, or only Pod certain days of the week. We’re calling these extended families “Pods!”
Form a Pod! If you’re interested, just let us know (campdirector@travelingplayers.org) and we’ll connect you to another family who is similarly interested. Then you can discover if you are both comfortable with the level of exposure in relation to coronavirus, if you live close to each other, and other logistics. We recommend keeping your Pod tight and consistent, and taking appropriate precautions as outlined by the CDC.
Separate Studios: Already have two or more campers in your home? Congrats! You already have a Pod! If the campers are in different ensembles, then they should each have a Studio of their own (separate rooms, trading off with one person working inside and the other outside). If campers are in the same ensemble, than they can work in the same room but each camper should wear wireless headphones to avoid feedback while still allowing the campers freedom of movement.
Private Tutoring
One-on-one Monologue Coaching
Applying to college? Need to sharpen up those audition monologues? Get some pointers from TPE’s founder & producing artistic director, Jeanne E. Harrison.
By appointment only. Contact jeharrison@travelingplayers.org.
Want private coaching on a different topic? Just let us know! Many of our brilliant instructors have the time to reconnect with you right now. Prices vary with instructors. Send an email to jeharrison@travelingplayers
Perfect for young performers, this class gives budding actors an overview of the art of performing through fun improvisation games and rehearsing short scenes.
Scene Study & Acting Technique
This scene study class gives students practice preparing a role in a play. Delve into the core of the scenes through rehearsals and improvisational games that teach acting technique and result in real growth as an actor.
Sixth graders accepted at permission of instructor. Please email Jeanne at jeharrison@
Ever felt like you get cast in the same roles over and over again? It’s probably because your body is locked into the same expressive form. Increase your mobility, express-ability…and castability! We will begin this class by analyzing your movement strengths and habits, and then we will expand your range with movement investigations — thereby expanding the types of characters that you can convincingly portray on stage. Best yet: you’ll get a Movement Workbook to chronicle your investigations and discoveries in – a place you can return to again and again while working on each new play and role. This class is great for students who have been exposed to physical theatre, like Commedia dell’Arte, as well as those who have done Shakespeare and basic acting training. Class size is limited, so sign up early!
Ninth graders accepted at permission of instructor. Please email Jeanne at jeharrison@
One-Day Intensives, Field Trips
During the fall, we also offer several One-day intensives, focusing on skills like stage combat, improv, clowning, and Commedia dell’Arte. We also offer some fun Field Trips!
The Maryland Renaissance Festival
Must be at least 12yrs old or in 7th grade to participate, Parents welcome! Rain or Shine!
>> Learn more!
Commedia Intensive
8th – 11th Graders
>> Learn more!