A.C.T. at BCT
The Academy for Contemporary Theater is BCT’s newest offering. Of course, we still have our gold standard Theater Lab programs, but we wanted to add more opportunities to bring the community into our home. Like adult acting classes. And even some classes for our younger artists. Come A.C.T. at BCT!
Cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
PHOTOS by Brooke Burton (unless otherwise noted).
Would you like to support our education program with a donation? THANKS! You can use this button to donate and specify you’d like your contribution to go specifically to our education program! We appreciate your support of A.C.T. at BCT.
Fall Theater Lab Performances
- Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 7:00 pm
- Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm
- Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 7:00 pm
NEXT STAGE: PROFESSIONAL & ADULT ACTING CLASSES
Exploration of Acting One
Fall 2024 Session:
Sundays Sep 8 – Oct 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
The art of playing. This class for all abilities focuses on theater skill games, improvisation techniques, and staying in shape artistically.
Ages 18+, class limit 10.
$200
SOLD OUT
“Know the Show” Series
24|25 Season:
Sundays 4-6pm
Sept 29/Oct 20 What the Constitution Means to Me
Dec 1/Dec 22 The Lion
Jan 19/Feb 9 On the Other Hand We’re Happy
March 2/March 23 A Case for the Existence of God
April 13/May 11 The Life You Gave Me
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Get a glimpse behind the scenes of each of this season’s MainStage shows. The symposium will meet for two hours before the opening of the show to discuss the process of the play’s creation, production history, critical reception, and the rehearsal and design process involved in mounting it at BCT. If schedule allows, we may be joined by members of the creative team and production staff. After the closing of the play, the group will meet again for a lively feedback and reflection session, to discuss the specific conceptual, design, and performance choices, specifically in BCT’s interpretation of each play. Join us for one or all of these sessions. We have both individual and packaged pricing for these symposium events!
$40 per session/$150 for all 5 sessions
SOLD OUT
Exploration of Acting Two
Fall 2024 Session:
Sundays Nov 10 – Dec 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Taught by Chris Canfield
Mondays Oct. 30 – Nov. 20 from 7-9 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
This acting class explores the fundamentals of working with a contemporary script – text analysis, character development.
(Explorations of Acting One, or equivalent, required for this class.)
Ages 18+, class limit 10.
$200
Watch for registration to open (or subscribe to our eblasts)- last year this SOLD OUT in under 24 hours!
Stage Dialects
Taught by Joe Golden.
Winter 2024 Session:
Tuesdays, January 14 – February 4, from 7 pm to 9 pm.
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
There are many plays that feature characters speaking dialects (and accents within those dialects). Dialects aren’t just the way people speak from countries outside of our own (Ireland, England, Germany, etc.), but also the way people from different regions within our own country speak (Southern, Eastern, New England, Upper Midwest, etc.). This course will aim to reveal methods and resources for actors to study and perform convincing dialects for stage and screen purposes.
Ages 18+.
$160
SOLD OUT
Stage Combat 1 – Unarmed:
An introduction to the technique of illusionary stage violence
Winter 2024 Session:
Sat & Sun Jan. 20 – 21, 2024, from 10 am-12 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
How do actors safely perform slaps, punches, throws, and chokeholds on stage? The emphasis of this class is on safety and strong technical skills to perform these moves in theatrical productions and scenes. You’ll learn proficiency in selected falls, slaps, punches, throws, and kicks, in order to safely execute required illusionary violence on stage.
NOTE: This is a physical class, and participants should be prepared for considerable movement and rolling/falling onto tumbling mats, etc. Activewear and closed-toe shoes (sneakers) are required.
Ages 18+, class limit 12.
$80
SOLD OUT
Stage Combat 2 – The Rapier (and Dagger):
An introduction to the technique of illusionary stage violence
PHOTO: @Nejron
Winter 2024 Session:
Sat & Sun Jan. 27 – 28, 2024, from 10 am-12 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Unleash your inner swashbuckler! This stage combat class focuses on the safe and proper use of stage rapier fighting techniques. You will learn rapier cuts and parries to execute choreographed fights safely and effectively. If time allows, we will add stage daggers into the mix for more excitement and fun!
NOTE: This is a physical class, and participants should be prepared for considerable movement. Stage Combat 1 or previous theatrical movement experience is recommended but not required. Activewear and closed-toe shoes (sneakers) are required.
Ages 18+, class limit 10.
$80
Scene Study for the Performing Artist
Spring 2024 Session:
March 26- April 30, Tuesdays from 7-9 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
This class focuses on student or working actors, college level and above. These are performers who have taken other acting courses and performed in plays, and who hope to work/are working with some frequency in the field. You should already have the ability to perform basic text analysis and be familiar with the idea of scene “beats”, objectives, obstacles, and with making strong and committed choices for your character.
Ages 18+, class limit 10.
To audition, please send your recorded 1 min audition piece, headshot, and resume to our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
$200
SOLD OUT
Acting For Professionals
Playwright Samuel D. Hunter
Spring 2025 Session:
Jan 19 – Feb 23, 6:30-9:30 PM.
Final class showing Feb 24, 7 PM.
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Focus on the Plays of Samuel D. Hunter.
These advanced level acting classes for seasoned, professional actors, will focus on the works of one playwright being presented at Boise Contemporary Theater during the corresponding season. This year, we will dive into the works of Sam Hunter. Participants will be asked to read a play before the start of the first class. Classes 1 and 2 will be a discussion of the playwright, his voice and style, production history, recurring themes, and evolution throughout his career. This common table work will give us a shared language and understanding of the motivations, objectives, and the world of Hunter’s unique characters and stories. Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be dedicated to scene study using scenes from Hunter’s plays. Session 7 will be a showing of those scenes, open to the public and invited guests. In an effort to support our community of working artists, this class will be discounted from its normal $200 fee to $125. Placements are by invitation or audition only and are limited to 10 individuals. To audition, email Education Director Jen Stockwell-Fortner: js@bctheater.org.
Ages 18+, class limit 10.
$125
ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Adult Auditioning
Summer 2025 Session:
Dates TBA
Class meets Sundays and Tuesdays beginning June 2nd through June 25th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
For artists of all levels. This class focuses on movement for the performing artist, monologue work for film and stage, and cold reading scene work. Brush up on old skills and learn new techniques to get the role!
Ages 18-99, class limit 10.
$180
Class Full!
PLAYWRITING
Jan 12 – Mar 2, 2022 Thursday 4 – 7 pm
Have you always wanted to try those playwriting skills solo? Here’s your chance! This class offers insight and guidance from talented writers and professional theater makers that will help bring your words to life.
We are keeping the class small so you have the opportunity for the most one on one time. At the end of the session, your play will be read by professional actors in a night of staged readings.
$325
Play On! Play Reading Club
For more information contact BCT’s Education Director at js@bctheater.org or 208.331.9224