Spring Session begins April 8th

WHO NEEDS PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES?

Simply put - Every Kid.

Whether your child or teen is the natural performer weaving elaborate tales at dinnertime or the introvert building with Legos for hours on end, an education in the Arts is crucial to the healthy development of every kid.

You could have the next playwright, costume designer or actor in your house, but you could also be living with the next architect or inventor engineer. To truly innovate, though, you need to be able to devise different solutions to problems and adapt when you don’t have every resource at your disposal. In one word - you need to learn creativity. That’s right - you can learn creativity!

We teach unique Acting and Stagecraft Classes in a positive, fun and inclusive environment with the sole mission of empowering every child to be the next healthy leaders, supportive team players and innovators of tomorrow.

We Currently offer Group Classes, Private Lessons and Mini Masterclasses

Theatre of the stage and screen is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary field of work made up of writers, designers, builders, electricians, sound engineers, performers and more. Thus, the best way for every child to learn is through a multi-pronged approach. We know that every child can achieve their highest potential if we take the time to learn the style, or combination of the 12 learning styles, that your child naturally gravitates towards and by which they thrive.

Our Performing and Creative Arts classes are designed to inspire creativity and curiosity in the people and natural world around them and either hone skills for further development in the Arts or transfer those skills to futures in medicine, law, engineering, education, business and more. Our classes are designed to teach and support the further development of:

• Creativity

• Critical Thinking Skills

• Resilience

• Empathy

• Confidence (both internally and socially)

• Listening Skills

• Leadership Skills

• Teamwork

• Improved Memory

• Literacy

• Gross and Fine Motor Skills through Movement and Body Awareness

Kids are given the grace to fail and try again.. As many times as it takes. They will learn that making mistakes, constantly looking for different solutions to perceived problems and being understanding of yourself and others, results in creating the best work.

The Arts, Maths and Sciences are not, and should not, be mutually exclusive outside of the classroom. That is why we covertly combine them all within our “classroom” to create a truly unique and wildly fun experience unmatched anywhere else. This method allows every child to decompress after a long day of school, offer their best efforts and allows the educator to hone in on your child’s skills so they can be best guided to which discipline within theatre, tv or film they are best suited; acting, directing, writing and stagecraft such as set design, costuming, makeup & hair, or sound and lighting design. Every child will participate in a showcase or production in the Winter and Spring.

Spring Session begins april 8th!

SOME MORE THINGS THAT MAKE US DIFFERENT

CALM CORNER

Just like adults, we know and respect that all kids have hard days sometimes. We watch and listen carefully to your child’s verbal and body language to decipher whether they can benefit from the Calm Corner. To be clear, this is not the “stand in the corner” disciplinary technique of your youth. Quite to the contrary. The Calm Corner is not discipline at all - it is support. It is designed as an option for any child, completely irrespective of behavior, to choose instead of one or two group exercises if they seem stressed out from the day. There are large fluffy pillow mats to relax on and materials to design sets, write a mini play or movie, or read. Consider it a palate cleanser for the brain that will set them up to return to the group when ready to fully participate.

HEALTHY SNACKS

Growing kids need energy to think and act their best. We will provide a variety of allergen-free, healthy snacks that will be offered at the start of each class. Filtered reverse-osmosis water will be available for them to refill their personal water bottles and reusable cups for those that may have forgotten their water bottles. We will accommodate all dietary needs. List of snacks provided upon request.

FAMILY TIME

We know schedules can sometimes be hectic. Between work, chauffeuring kids here and there and errands, sometimes eating meals - and especially eating them together - can be difficult. As a member of the Freewoods Creative Collective we have arranged for you to enjoy special discounts at a variety of restaurants in our thriving Downtown Boonton District. We hope you take the opportunity to eat together either before or after class. Our list of dining partners is available upon request.

LAURA WALD

Founder + Director + Teacher

Laura is the Founder of the Freewoods Creative Collective and Freewoods Films, a boutique digital production company focusing on the stories of traditionally underrepresented communities.

She had the privilege of beginning her thirty year career in the arts at about the age of ten, as a performer in her mother’s children’s entertainment company. There, she learned how to create compelling characters and craft a spellbinding story.

She is a classically trained vocalist and percussionist and a writer currently developing several television series.

As the oldest of five siblings she saw the complex work that is needed to run a small, woman-owned, arts business and raise children. It is often difficult, but the reward that results from inspiring joy and nurturing the imagination of a child outweighs any challenge. This early experience led her on a lifelong journey in theatre, film and television. She studied theatre at Temple University, learning the crafts of directing, set and costume design and construction, lighting and sound design, and acting. Her practical knowledge was honed in the theatre and then the film and television industry of Philadelphia and New York.

She is a resident of Morris County, NJ and a mom to a creative and curious six-year-old storyteller and fantastical world builder who wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up.

Class location: Downtown boonton, NJ 07005

Spring Session begins april 8th!