James Henry has been an actor, director, and fight choreographer since 2008. He has worked with Birmingham Children's Theatre, Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, and the Wetumpka Depot Theatre. A native of Montgomery, he received his BA in Theatre from Faulkner University, and his MFA in Acting from Regent University. He has worked on shows ranging from Narnia to Zorro to A Midsummer Night's Dream, and is passionate about sharing his art here in the River Region!
The Playhouse Academy
The Playhouse Academy offers affordable, professionally-taught workshops for theatre students
throughout the year.
Join us to explore the fun, challenging,
delightful world of theater!
With our acting and improv classes we’ll examine what it means to communicate, share and listen, develop characters, and explore the core of the story.
We also offer a wide array of theatre stagecraft workshops throughout the year from stage lighting, scenic painting, stage makeup, puppetry, and more!
2025 Spring Workshops:
February 1st- Youth Acting
April 12th- Stage Combat
June 28th- Vocal Performance
August 2nd- Youth Acting
September 20th- Character & Movement for the Stage
October 25th- Stage Makeup
and more workshops will be announced soon!
For information about registration and some limited scholarships,
please call us at (334) 262-1530, ext. 2
or email sam.wootten@cloverdaleplayhouse.org.
Thank you, Central Alabama Community Foundation, for your generous support of the
Playhouse School Scholarship Fund!
We ask that all parents and students please check out our Playhouse Academy Conduct Policy here.
Class sizes will vary. Please check registration details.
OUR TEACHERS:
Participants in the Cloverdale Playhouse's Beginning Stage Combat - Basic Illusions of Violence covers the foundational skills of basic stage combat. From partnering to angles, we will be teaching artists the basic principles of engagement in order to be able to craft a story without endangering themselves. This workshop is a combination of technique theory and essential self-defense for actors.
*this workshop is limited to ages 12 and older
In our Adult Acting Workshop participants will learn how to find their voice as an actor to create meaningful characters that engage the audience and their fellow actors. This class will teach proper techniques in breathing, emoting, and exploring the text of a scene. Regardless of experience level, let us help you shake your inhibitions and fall in love with the art of acting!
Sarah Kay is an accomplished actor, director, writer, producer, teacher, and scenic artist. Her work has seen across the River Region from ASF to the Wetumpka Depot to the Cloverdale Playhouse. She teaches Theatre at Baldwin Arts and Academic Magnet School in Montgomery.
Our Youth Acting Workshops will introduce students the basics of acting for the stage, and teach them to create stories using all of their facilities: voice, movement, and imagination.
Sean Golson is an actor, filmaker, and director. Sean graduated from Booker T. Washington Magnet High School Class of 2018. He is the creator of Wayne Productions. He has acted in several mainstage productions and taught classes at the Playhouse for over five years, and is excited to shift to this new workshop format to help generate more ideas, challenge students to achieve more, and dive into some intensive work!
Improv for Young Actors will introduce the basic building blocks of improvisation and character to students, stretching their imagination and focusing their attention of collaborating by utilizing the art of "Yes, And...?"
**The day is split into two workshops based on age. All students should register for the workshop time that corresponds with their age
Bo Jinright is an actor and improviser with a long history of training, performance, and education across the Southeast. He was a founding member of the Brain Freeeze improv troupe, and our resident Playhouse troupe "Yes, And...?!". His experience in theatre, and specifically with improvisation and education will insure his worshops at the Playhouse are entertaining and challenging.
The objective with the Stage Management workshop is to provide an overview of Stage Management best practices. Topics covered will include Production Communication Essentials, Contributing to Positive Show Culture, Creating Useful Paperwork & Show Documents, Digital Prompt Books, and Creating Effective Blocking & Call Scripts, as well as Calling A Show. While not required, participants would benefit from bringing a notebook, pencil, and assorted highlighters.
*This class is appropriate for ages 12 and up.
**When registering, please use the student's name.
*Registration is limited to participants ages 12 and up.
Rita Tidwell is the Technical Director for First Baptist Church of Montgomery, as well as the Technical Director for Alabama Dance Theatre. She studied Theatre Design & Technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has designed the lights for several productions at the Cloverdale Playhouse, and many other River Region venues.
Our Special Effects Makeup workshop is an opportunity to learn all the best ways to create a look for the stage or camera that turns you into whatever your imagination can conjure.
Amber Chapman is a makeup specialist, improvisor/actor, and all-around theatre geek. In addition to desiging makeup and wigs for the Playhouse's recent productions of A Lesson Before Dying, Treasure Island, Dot, and The Explorers Club, she's led two very popular Playhouse Stage Makeup workshops in 2023. We are excited to welcome her back for more cosmetic creativity!
For information about Financial Assistance, classes, or registration, please call us at (334) 262-1530!
Financial Assistance has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Central Alabama Community Foundation and the Support the Arts License Tag Fund, and Alabama Power, as well as:
The Junior League of Montgomery
The Kiwanis Foundation of Montgomery
The Midsouth RC & D Council
The above organizations provided vital grant funding and volunteer support for the equipping and furnishing of the Playhouse Academy classroom, the dressing rooms, the costume shop, and set shop. We remain grateful for their generous support!
Check out this episode of Artistic Roots on Alabama Public Television featuring the Cloverdale Playhouse!
