AHM & Playhouse Theatre Academy partner to offer fun and exploratory, pre-professional theatre programs!
Youth Theater
From workshops in Musical Theatre to themed sessions of Creative Drama, Playhouse Theatre Academy offers something for everyone.
As an emerging artist, or as a student wanting to explore your creativity in a new way, Playhouse Theatre Academy is your home for quality theatre instruction!
Fall Theater Programs!
Mondays 9/26, 10/3, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
(no class on 10/10 Columbus day and 10/31 Halloween)
Grades K-2: Building Characters!
*K-2 session is filled as of 9/20/22! If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email Tressa Giordano at TressaG@ahmyouth.org. 
Building a character is the foundation of acting at all levels! It is a wonderful way for you to explore what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes! In this class, students will learn about the important tools an actor needs: body, voice and imagination in order to create original characters and fun skits with their peers. Through a variety of fun exercises and games students will develop personal understanding of how to create a character, work together as a group and develop scenes to share! This is open for new and returning students!
Time: 4:15-5:00 pm, max of 15 students
Fee: $55.00 per student
Taught by Anna & TBD
Grades 3-6: Exploring the Scene
*3-6 session is filled as of 9/20/22! If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email Tressa Giordano at TressaG@ahmyouth.org.
Open to new and returning students! This class is for those who want to dive in and explore the inner workings of a scene! How to find intention and purpose in the lines you speak and how to create tension and emotion in how you move on stage! Students will be able to build personal confidence in front of their peers and practice being truthful and engaging on stage through scene study and fun improvisational exercises.
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm, max of 15 students
Fee: $60.00 per student
Taught by Anna & Sarah
Grades 7-12: Reader’s Theater!
Students will explore the rehearsal process of Reader’s theater. We will explore different scripts and characters and learn about the different techniques that help make a Reader’s Theater production magical and full of storytelling. Students will prepare for a share day production, presenting a script they’ve worked on in class for families and friends.
Time: 6-7:15 pm, max of 12 students
Fee: $65.00 per student
Taught by Anna & Sarah
*Program fees have been reduced due to the support of the Colleen Keenan Memorial Fund.
For more information or question please contact AHM’s Executive Director, Tressa Giordano, at 860-228-9488 or TressaG@ahmyouth.org.
Meet Our Youth Theater Teachers
Sarah Oschmann
Sarah is excited to be back with Playhouse Theatre Academy and AHM as a Teaching Artist. She is an actor, and educator currently based in Windham, CT. Sarah has been acting for many years and holds both a, BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Acting and Directing from Eastern Connecticut State University, and an MFA in Acting from East 15 Acting School in the UK. Through her career thus far she has performed in many stage productions, along with a few short film projects; and plans to pursue a career in acting full time. Currently she works as a Tutor at an Elementary school, tutoring in reading and math, and has had the opportunity to teach Theatre to K-5th grade students. She hopes to inspire, educate, and encourage children and young adults of all ages to love the craft of theatre!
Anna Ricciuti
Anna is a director, educator and technician who strives to create meaningful theatrical experiences for students of all ages. As a Connecticut native, she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the team at Playhouse on Park, and she’s equally excited to be teaching for AHM’s amazing theatre programming. Anna holds a BA in theatre from Muhlenberg College and her theatrical skills are diverse and varied. Some favorite recent credits include: The Repair Man (director, Muhlenberg College, 2018), Alice in Concert (production stage manager, Desultory Theatre Club, 2019), Some Good Tunes (technical director, Simsbury Summer Theatre, 2020), and Pippin (director, Simsbury High School, 2022).
Mei-Li
Mei-Li has been involved in singing, dancing, and acting lessons since a young age and is thrilled to be able to inspire the next generation of youth performers. She is currently a student at Central Connecticut State University pursuing a B.A. in Theater with a minor in Business. Her previous experience with various childhood-focused educational groups includes Newington Children’s Theatre Company, Plainville Choral Society & Plainville Choral Society Youth Theatre, Plainville Family Resource Network, The Children’s Law Center, and Buena Vista Recreation Camp. In addition to her passion for performance, Mei-Li is a professionally licensed Ice-Skating coach with the United States Figure Skating Association and has over 10 years of experience coaching Figure Skating and Ice Hockey to children and adults. She loves being able to teach from her experiences and learn from others. She is so excited to begin a new chapter teaching with Playhouse Theatre Academy.
Dana Rudnansky
Dana is a young theater professional and recent graduate from Wagner College with a BA in Theatre Studies. In her time at Wagner, she was part of various productions including Working, Cabaret, and The Crucible as well as working in the fields of stage and prop management and directing. Her main passion is derived from her love and education of puppetry, which she has been able to incorporate into previous classes. Dana is thrilled to be a part of Playhouse Theatre Academy once again after teaching Creative Kids this past winter.
Thank You to Our 2019 Summer Youth Theater Sponsors!
Colleen Keenan Memorial Fund (CKMF)
Established by family and friends to honor this kind, loving and wonderful daughter, mother, sister and friend; this fund helps support the AHM Summer Youth Theater and in the future additional performing arts activities for young people.
