This class is for anyone looking to develop their acting experience! We will teach them about staging, physicality, and vocalization, as well as assigning scenes and monologues for a performance at the end!

Students in this class will work on acting skills, character development, stage presence and more. Theatre games and improv will be part of class in order to spark creativity and share ideas. During this session, the students will work on a short performance that will be presented at the YMCA Arts Day on the first or second Saturday in December.

Ever wondered what it’s like to act on TV or in a movie? This fun and beginner-friendly class introduces students to the basics of acting for the camera! We’ll learn how to work with scripts, hit marks, and perform naturally on screen—skills every on-camera actor needs to know. Through improvisation, scene work, and on-camera exercises, students will explore how acting for TV and film is different from the stage and even get to watch and learn from their own performances. Whether you’re a returning student or trying acting for the first time, this class is a great place to learn, play, and build confidence in front of the camera.

This new program is offered exclusively to 6th - 9th grade students! Critters & Crypts is our weekly Dungeons & Dragons group. Journey on quests with a nature-based flair, using characters and dice. No experience is required. Dice and characters are provided. This is a primarily indoor program. Each session is 8 weeks. Limited to 8 students.

Get ready to think fast, play hard, and laugh out loud! This high-energy class introduces students to the world of improvisational acting—a fun and creative form of theater where anything can happen. Through games, group exercises, and spontaneous scene work, students will learn to trust their instincts, think on their feet, and say “Yes, and…” to new ideas. Improv helps young performers build confidence, teamwork, creativity, and focus while creating memorable moments on the spot. No scripts? No problem! Every class is a chance to try something new, work together, and build scenes full of creativity and laughter.

In this engaging and interactive class, students will explore the fundamentals of stage acting, including voice projection, movement, character creation, and storytelling. Through theatre games, improvisation, and scene work, young actors will develop essential performance skills while building confidence, teamwork, and creativity. Whether students are new to the stage or looking to grow as performers, this class provides a supportive space to discover the magic of live theatre.

The 2-Day Film Production Workshop is an accelerated program where students aged 10-13 make a short film. During the filmmaking for kids workshop, students quickly learn how to shoot and edit original film projects with high definition digital video. This is a seasonal workshop held during the winter break of the academic year. No experience is required to attend.

Calling all homeschool families! Elementary sessions require a parent or guardian to attend with their child. How do animals communicate with each other? Mimic playing as a wolf pack, smell your friends pheromones as an insect, and create an animal call!

In the Online 2 Day Acting For Film Holiday Programs students will also learn the fundamentals of scene work and how to prepare a short scene with a partner ending in a live zoom performance.

The 2-Day Film Production Workshop is an accelerated program where students aged 10-13 make a short film. During the filmmaking for kids workshop, students quickly learn how to shoot and edit original film projects with high definition digital video. This is a seasonal workshop held during the winter break of the academic year. No experience is required to attend.

In the Online 2 Day Acting For Film Holiday Programs students will also learn the fundamentals of scene work and how to prepare a short scene with a partner ending in a live zoom performance.

During NYFA’s 2-Day Holiday Kids Acting Workshop, students aged 10-13 are introduced to principles of film acting. The immersive and active nature of this workshop means that even in this short time, students get the opportunity to develop basic acting skills. This is a workshop held during the holiday break of the academic year. No experience is required to attend.

A two-day, online short film challenge for kids and teens. Students are given specific conditions for their project in a 48-hour film festival style. In class, they will learn the basics of storytelling, cinematography, and editing as they make their own short films. The workshop culminates in a final screening of their own work with all workshop participants.

During NYFA’s 2-Day Holiday Kids Acting Workshop, students aged 10-13 are introduced to principles of film acting. The immersive and active nature of this workshop means that even in this short time, students get the opportunity to develop basic acting skills. This is a workshop held during the holiday break of the academic year. No experience is required to attend.

Dive into a week of epic storytelling, character creation, improv and roleplay as you learn the ins and outs of Dungeons & Dragons. Campers will sharpen real-world skills like teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity all while building their own fantasy characters and collaborative stories. We’ll explore every key aspect of tabletop role-playing games, from mechanics to myth-making. The grand finale? A one-shot adventure where campers bring their characters to life and put their new skills to the test in a thrilling quest! This camp runs from 9A-12P. Registration deadline is DEC 15. (Min 4/Max 8)