What is Clown?!

Clown is a celebrated form of physical acting that invites students to come as they are, play ferociously, and celebrate! Actors, movers, and performers are drawn to clown for many reasons, including range and flexibility, connection through play, emotional intelligence, physical readiness, and the health beneifts of laughter. Studio Playground adapts exercises based in clown and physical acting for young actors, focusing on performance skills as well as social-emotional learning in the key areas of self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Students explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Laughter provides relief from stress, boosts endorphins, increases immune functioning, and can be a portal to great big expression. Come play!

COVID Safety Policy

Please note this policy is subject to change. Here is our protocol as of 9/16/24:

Wearing a mask is optional for staff and students. Class size is limited.

Staff keep daily attendance records for contact tracing, provide hand sanitizer, and encourage hand hygiene.

Any student who has a fever or who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 is advised not attend class.

Do your classes require previous acting experience?

Our classes are intended for all levels of experience. Whether this is your child’s first acting class or they have previous experience, our programs foster individual growth and develop at the pace of each group of actors.

What do students need for a class?

We ask that each student bring a personal water bottle and wear comfortable clothes that they can move in.

My child isn’t able to attend all of the classes in a particular session. Is it still okay to register?

Absolutely! We understand you may have a busy schedule or previous commitments, and you are welcome to register if you have conflicts. If your child is unable to attend class, we ask that you please send an email to let us know.

Do you offer private lessons?

We do! Our teachers offer one-on-one lessons both on Zoom and in-person for acting, voice, and audition preparation. Please email info@studioplayground.org to inquire about private lessons.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations made within 6 weeks of the start of class/camp are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 3 weeks of the start of class/camp are not eligible for a refund.

For info about upcoming classes, please visit: Classes for Kids

Does Studio Playground teach classes for adults?

Yes! Clown is a celebrated form of physical theater that invites actors and performers to come as they are, drop their social mask, and pusrue moments of joy and connection through laughter and playful improvsaiton.

Where do your classes for adults occur?

In Boston, our classes for adults occur as Boston Center for the Arts.

In Providence, our classes for adults occur at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island.

Who are the instructors?

Our classes for adults are instructed by Matthew Bretschneider, Alexander Crespo-Rosario, and Anna Basile. They have extensive experience performing and teaching clown, movement, and physical theater.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations made within 6 weeks of the start of class/camp are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 3 weeks of the start of class/camp are not eligible for a refund.

For info about upcoming classes, please visit: Classes for Adults

Is Studio Playground available for after-school theater programs?

Yes! We work with schools and organizations across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including Providence Children’s Museum, Boston Children’s Museum, Boys and Girls Club of Providence, Moses Brown School, Gordon School, Providence Country Day, Rocky Hill Country Day, Pawtucket Public Schools, Community Libraries of Providence, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.

How do we discuss a program for our organization?

Please email us at info@studioplayground.org to inquire about classes for schools, community groups, or private events.

For more information about our partnerships, please visit: Studio Playground Partnerships

Professional Development for Actors & Performers

Description: Get ready to laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Studio Playground classes for actors and performers explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. This class begins with a warm-up as students get out of their heads and into their bodies. The workshop includes physical acting games and performance projects designed to elicit range and flexibility. Students explore ensemble development, kinesthetic response, audition techniques, self-care, and the benefits of laughter, vulnerability, and play.

Professional Development for Non-Performers

Class Description: Get ready to laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Studio Playground classes foster skills for teamwork and communication as participants explore the benefits of laughter through movement and playful improvisation. This workshop begins with a warm-up and includes physical acting games and group projects designed to elicit spontaneity and enthusiasm. Participants explore qualities of movement, learn skills for public speaking, and explore strategies for teamwork, communication, and collaboration.

Social-Emotional Workshops for Elementary and Middle School

Description: Studio Playground classes explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our social-emotional workshops program is designed to foster individual growth and community for children in the core areas of self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Students learn strategies for self-regulation, ensemble support, and self-care through games and activities based in movement, improvisation, and physical acting. Workshops explore themes to support teamwork, empathy, communication, and self-care. Our Social-Emotional Workshops are designed to be implemented as school-based programs to support school-wide efforts to promote skills for self-care, self-regulation, social awareness, and forming positive relationships.

Creating Characters for Ages 5-10

Class Description: Does your little one like to create stories and characters at home? Let’s give them an opportunity to share their imagination with friends! Join Studio Playground for an acting class that invites students ages 5-7 to create a short play using their original characters. All classes begin with a group warm up and physical acting game as students learn the fundamental concepts of voice, body, and imagination. Students explore elements of improvisation, crafting, and group storytelling to bring their characters to live. Each session culminates in a brief performance for friends and family.

Storytelling & Play for Ages 5-10

Class Description: Let’s laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Join Studio Playground for an acting class that empowers students to develop confidence and find their voice within an ensemble. All classes begin with a group warm up and physical acting game as students learn the fundamental concepts of voice, body, and imagination. Students explore elements of song, storytelling, clowning, and performance projects. Let’s find that delightful little sparkle of joy and learn to share it with an audience! Each session culminates in a brief performance for friends and family.

Circus Arts for Ages 5-10

Class Description: This class explores multiple aspects of circus arts, including juggling, clowning, hula-hooping, improv, and tumbling. Students learn skills for teamwork, communication, performance, and self-awareness. Please note that aerial acrobatics will not be used. Studio Playground camps explore the health benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our Circus Arts class concludes with a brief performance for friends and family.

Improv Company for Ages 8-12

Class Description: Join Studio Playground for an acting class that empowers students to be adventurous and find their voice within an ensemble. Students learn foundational concepts for improvisation, teamwork, and collaboration. Classes begin with a group warm-up and physical acting game as students apply the actor’s tools of voice, body, and imagination to engage an audience and tell a story. Each session culminates in a brief performance for friends & family.

Page to Stage for Ages 8-12

Class Description: Modeled after Performing Arts in Libraries (PAL), our Page to Stage class applies skills for performance, scripting, and improvisation as students turn a book into a performance. Students bring the words on the page to life through dramatic storytelling and physical acting. Students will learn teamwork and collaboration as they apply the actor’s tools of voice, body, and imagination to engage an audience and tell a story. Classes begin with a group warm-up and movement game. Each session ends with a performance for friends and family.

Play Creation for Ages 8-12

Class Description: This class combines visual arts and performance letting students experience multiple steps of creating a play. Design elements include crafting, prop making, and painting projects as students work together using improvisation and physical acting to bring their show to life. Students perform in an original play with hands-on projects to create props, costumes, and set pieces. Classes begin with a group warm up and movement-based game. Students explore crafting and learn skills for collaboration and problem solving. Each session ends with a performance for friends and family.

Shakespeare & Play for Ages 8-12

Class Description: This class introduces students to fundamental concepts for acting Shakespeare. Using scenes from Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, students explore character development and poetic language while learning skills for collaboration. Each class begins with a warmup, movement, and improvisation game. The session ends with a showcase for friends and family. Please note there is no class on May 12. Happy Mother’s Day! There are a total of 6 classes in the spring session.

Film Project for Ages 8-12

Class Description: In this class, students learn the basics of acting for the camera while building skills for confidence, collaboration, and vocal expression. Each class begins with a vocal warm up and game based in movement and improvisation. Students discover their unique screen presence using physical acting exercises to invent characters, improvise scenes, and create their own short film project. There is an invited screening for friends and family in the last class.

Shakespeare & Physical Acting for Ages 13-17

Class Description: This class introduces actors in middle and high school to concepts for Shakespeare and physical acting. Using scenes and monologues from Shakespeare’s plays, students explore character development, heightened language, and given circumstances while learning skills for collaboration and ensemble development. Each class begins with a vocal warm up and game based in movement and improvisation. Students are assigned material and characters as they work in small groups and receive generous feedback from our teaching artists.

Summer Workshop Series for Ages 13-17

Description: Our summer workshop series provide an opportunity for middle and high school students to explore specific elements of actor training in a series of one-day workshops. Students take a deep dive into monologues, scene study, stage combat, audition techniques, and Shakespeare. Each class includes a vocal and physical warm-up, movement, and theater games. There is an invited showcase for friends and family at the end of each workshop for students to share their work.

Teen Ensemble Class for Ages 13-17

Class Description: This class forms an ensemble for teen actors with weekly classes designed to enhance skills for performance and collaboration. Each 8-week module creates a unique experience, in which students explore audition techniques, contemporary scene study, and monologues. Specialty classes will focus on subjects including Shakespeare, clowning, stage combat, set design, and musical theatre performance. There is a combination of group work and individual instruction as teachers work generously with each student. Students are assigned material and spend time preparing outside of class. Additionally, students are invited to participate in special events, including group trips to see professional theater productions. There is an invited showcase for friends and family at the of each session giving students the opportunity to share their work.

Physical Acting and Audition Techniques for Ages 13-17

This class introduces advanced concepts for audition techniques through movement and physical acting. Class includes a vocal and physical warm-up, games, and performance projects designed to elicit vocal and physical freedom. Physical acting invites students to explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. In this class, actors learn valuable skills for auditioning and participate in group exercises to build range, flexibility, and self-care.

Summer Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park for Ages 6-12

Camp Description: Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in clown and physical acting. Join us for our summer theater camp in Lincoln Woods State Park! Our classes invite students to explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our summer camp embodies the same principles! Students ages 6-12 have a fun-filled week of theater games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Our Create and Perform Program provides hands-on crafting projects as students create costumes and props to bring their original show to life. Each week culminates in an outdoor performance for friends and family. All of this takes place in the picturesque environment of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Mini Camp in Lincoln Woods for Ages 5-6

Camp Description: Join Studio Playground for our Mini Theater Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park for ages 5-6! Our summer camp embodies the same principles! Studio Playground classes explore the benefits of laughter through performance and playful improvisation. Our Mini Theater Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park introduces children ages 5-6 to performance as they play theater games, enjoy arts and crafts, and learn to collaborate with classmates. Students explore the benefits of laughter through movement and playful improvisation. Each week ends with a brief performance with an exhibition of games and Studio Playground concepts.