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 playwriting classes. And even some classes for our younger artists. Come A.C.T. at BCT!
Tuition is not eligible for refund within a week of class start time. Cancelled tuition is subject to a $50 dollar cancellation fee.
PHOTOS: Brooke Burton (unless otherwise noted).
A.C.T. at BCT
Would you like to support our education program? THANKS! Join us for our annual Backstage Pass: Education Fundraiser on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Your Backstage Pass will have you mingling in our lobby with other like-minded education supporters, enjoying a demo on our MainStage of the training our students experience, watching a video about our unique program, and experiencing the excitement of bucket drops in our house! Always fun, touching, and educational, this annual insider event is planned and prepped. All we need now is YOU.
If you would like to support our education program with a donation, please use this button 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
- Friday, November 1, 2024 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 2, 2024 2:00 PM
- Saturday, November 2, 2024 7:00 PM
Spring Theater Lab Performances
- Thursday, May 9, 2024, 7:00 PM
- Friday, May 10, 2024, 7:00 PM
- Saturday, May 11, 2024, 7:00 PM
THEATER LAB
Fall 2024 Session:
Aug 26 – Nov 2, 2024
Mon/Wed
4 – 6:30 pm
Spring 2025 Session:
Mar 3 – May 17, 2025 (no class March 17-21)
Mon/Wed
4 – 6:30 pm
BCT Theater Lab, for youth 12-18 years old, is dedicated to the proposition that students are capable of more than we expect. They have a story to tell, and it’s important to listen. Students create brand new plays from scratch and then perform them on our professional stage with all the bells and whistles in this ten-week class. It’s unlike anything else in the valley, and it’s a whole lot of fun!
“When I started Theater Lab, I was barely able to talk to my classmates, let alone on stage in front of hundreds of people. Theater Lab forced me to speak my mind, and have confidence in my actions. This program has changed my life and made me into the person I am today.” ~Theater Lab Student
“I used to think Theater Lab was about writing, performing, and having fun in the process. No, that’s what you do, part of what you do, but not what Theater Lab is about. Theater Lab is about growing as a person. Learning to think in new ways, experience new things, be with new people.” ~Theater Lab Student
$475
Please click here to add your name to the waitlist for an audition.
Questions? Email js@bctheater.org).
Auditions were Feb 3rd, 2025 for Spring 2025 Theater Lab.
Auditions for Fall TBA.
Questions? Email Jennifer Stockwell-Fortner js@bctheater.org.
Stage One - Ages 7-11
Spring 2025 Session:
March 11 – April 24 (no class March 17-21)
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Fall 2025 Session:
DATES TBD (typically early Sep – early Oct)
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
That’s right… Theater Lab for 7 to 11-year-olds! Our program for younger playmakers has classes that run on Tuesdays and Thursdays concurrently with our existing Theater Lab. Each six-week session will culminate in a performance for family and friends.
(No audition required, limited space available.)
$250
This class is full.
To be placed on our waitlist, please click here to email Education Director Jen Stockwell-Fortner.
Stage One - HOMESCHOOL!
Winter 2024 Session:
Jan 16 – Feb 1, 2024
Tues/Thur
1 – 2:30 pm
Our Stage One class geared towards families with homeschool students. Create a micro-play by collaborating with friends! Performance on the final day of class.
Ages 7-11, class limit 10.
$135
Coming soon.
Teen Acting One
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily June 2-6
1-3 pm
Whether you’re new to the stage or want to brush up on your acting tools, this class will delve into the musts for an actor. Basic play, yes/and, improvisation, and monologues. Showcase on the last day of class.
Ages 12-18, class limit 12.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is nearly full- register now!
Questions? Please email our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Teen Acting Two - Preprofessional
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily July 28-August 1
1-3 pm
For more information contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Need that “next step” in your acting skills? Learn new techniques, especially for those ever-daunting auditions. Light Scene work, movement for the performing artist, auditioning. Showcase on the last day of class.
Ages 12-18, class limit 12.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is sold out.
To be placed on our waitlist, please email js@bctheater.org.
Youth Acting One
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily June 2-6
1-3 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Explore the skills needed for the “first steps” in acting in this week-long class. Pantomime, improvisation, character development. Showcase on the last day of class.
Ages 7-11, class limit 10.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is nearly full- register now!
Questions? Please email js@bctheater.org.
This class is sold out.
To be placed on our waitlist, please email js@bctheater.org.
Summer Stage One
Summer 2025 Session:
June 16-20
1-3 pm
For more information contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
A shorter version of our fall/spring class. Find inspiration to create short scenes, skits, and micro plays. Perform brand new pieces at the end of the week for family and friends!
Ages 8-11, class limit 10.
(No audition required, limited space available.)
$180
Coming soon.
Improv - Youth
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily June 9-13
1-3 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
The basics of Theater “play,” “Yes, And,” being in the moment, and given circumstances are all building blocks to great acting skills in this fun one-week class. Showcase on the last day.
Ages 7-11, class limit 10.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is sold out.
To be placed on our waitlist, please email js@bctheater.org.
Improv - Teen
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily June 9-13
1-3 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
The basics of Theater “play,” “Yes, And,” being in the moment, and given circumstances are all building blocks to great acting skills in this fun one-week class. Showcase on the last day.
Ages 12-18, class limit 12.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is sold out.
To be placed on our waitlist, please email js@bctheater.org.
Film Acting - Teen
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily July 7-11
1-3 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
How to translate theater acting to the screen with monologue and scene work. Learn techniques to help you be camera-ready!
Ages 12-18, class limit 12.
$180
Coming soon.
This class is nearly full- register now!
Questions? Please email our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Adventure Story
Summer 2025 Session:
Class meets daily beginning June 24th through June 28th from 1pm to 3pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Scavenger hunt for writing inspiration to create short scenes, skits, and micro plays. Perform brand new pieces at the end of the week for family and friends!
Ages 8-11, class limit 10. Register today!
$180
Theater Making 101
Summer 2024 Session:
Class meets daily beginning July 15th through July 19th from 1pm to 4pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Learn the ins and outs of making a play from scratch. Deep dive into techniques used by our Theater Lab makers with practical applications. Make and showcase a mini-play at the end of the week.
Ages 12-18, class limit 10. Register, today!
$225
Teen Musical Theater Lab
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily June 16-20
1-4 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Create a brand new mini-musical with techniques used in Theater Lab in this fun crash course. Performance at the end of the week.
Ages 12-18, class limit 10.
$225
Coming soon.
This class is sold out, but you can still join our waitlist!
Questions? Please email js@bctheater.org.
Youth Musical Theater Lab
Summer 2025 Session:
Daily July 21-25
1-4 pm
For more information, contact our Education Director: js@bctheater.org.
Make a mini-musical by creating a story from already-known Broadway songs! Performance at the end of the week.
Ages 8-11, class limit 10.
$225
Coming soon.
This class is sold out, but you can still join our waitlist!
Questions? Please email js@bctheater.org.
Stage One - Ages 7-8
Fall 2024 Session:
Sep 3 – Oct 10
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Spring 2025 Session:
March 11 – April 24 (no class March 17-21)
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
That’s right… Theater Lab for 7 to 8-year-olds! Our program for younger playmakers has classes that run on Tuesdays and Thursdays concurrently with our existing Theater Lab. Each six-week session will culminate in a performance for family and friends.
(No audition required, limited space available.)
$250
This class is sold out.
To be placed on our waitlist, please email js@bctheater.org.
Stage One - Ages 9-11
Fall 2024 Session:
Sep 3 – Oct 10
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Spring 2025 Session:
March 11 – April 24 (no class March 17-21)
Tues/Thur
4:30 – 6:00 pm
That’s right… Theater Lab for 9 to 11-year-olds! Our program for younger playmakers has classes that run on Tuesdays and Thursdays concurrently with our existing Theater Lab. Each six-week session will culminate in a performance for family and friends.
(No audition required, limited space available.)
$250
This class is full.
To be placed on our waitlist, please click here to email Education Director Jen Stockwell-Fortner.
For more information contact BCT’s Education Director at js@bctheater.org or 208.331.9224