Partnerships & Class Descriptions

We are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to providing access to arts education and creating a positive social impact through performance. Studio Playground has worked with the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Club of Providence, Community Libraries of Providence (CLPVD), Boston Children’s Museum, Providence Children’s Museum, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Cambridge Public Schools, Moses Brown School, Gordon School, Kingston’s Camp, Jacqueline Walsh School for the Arts, Rocky Hill Country Day School, Child Opportunity Zone (COZ), and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in clown and physical acting. Classes explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our parterships include guest classes, and professional development workshops, and after-school programs across New England. If interested in a professional development workshop, after-school program, or guest class, please contact: info@studioplayground.org.

Professional Development for Performers

Get ready to laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Studio Playground classes for actors and performers explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. This class begins with a warm-up as students get out of their heads and into their bodies. The workshop includes physical acting games and performance projects designed to elicit range and flexibility. Students explore ensemble development, kinesthetic response, audition techniques, self-care, and the benefits of laughter, vulnerability, and play.

Professional Development for Non-Performers

Get ready to laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Studio Playground classes foster skills for teamwork and communication as participants explore the benefits of laughter through movement and playful improvisation. This workshop begins with a warm-up and includes physical acting games and group projects designed to elicit spontaneity and enthusiasm. Participants explore qualities of movement, learn skills for public speaking, and explore strategies for teamwork, communication, and collaboration.

Social-Emotional Workshops for Elementary & Middle School

Studio Playground classes explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our social-emotional workshops program is designed to foster individual growth and community for children in the core areas of self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Students learn strategies for self-regulation, ensemble support, and self-care through games and activities based in movement, improvisation, and physical acting. Workshops explore themes to support teamwork, empathy, communication, and self-care. Our Social-Emotional Workshops are designed to be implemented as school-based programs to support school-wide efforts to promote skills for self-care, self-regulation, social awareness, and forming positive relationships.

Storytelling & Play for Ages 5-10

Let’s laugh, sing, and make a beautiful ruckus! Join Studio Playground for an acting class that empowers students to develop confidence and find their voice within an ensemble. All classes begin with a group warm up and physical acting game as students learn the fundamental concepts of voice, body, and imagination. Students explore elements of song, storytelling, clowning, and performance projects. Let’s find that delightful little sparkle of joy and learn to share it with an audience! Each session culminates in a brief performance for friends and family.

Improv Company for Ages 8-12

Class Description: Join Studio Playground for an acting class that empowers students to be adventurous and find their voice within an ensemble. Students learn foundational concepts for improvisation, teamwork, and collaboration. Classes begin with a group warm-up and physical acting game as students apply the actor’s tools of voice, body, and imagination to engage an audience and tell a story. Each session culminates in a brief performance for friends & family.

Page to Stage for Ages 7-11

Class Description: Modeled after Performing Arts in Libraries (PAL), our Page to Stage class applies skills for performance, scripting, and improvisation as students turn a book into a performance. Students bring the words on the page to life through dramatic storytelling and physical acting. Students will learn teamwork and collaboration as they apply the actor’s tools of voice, body, and imagination to engage an audience and tell a story. Classes begin with a group warm-up and movement game. Each session ends with a performance for friends and family.

Play Creation for Ages 7-9

Class Description: This class combines visual arts and performance letting students experience multiple steps of creating a play. Design elements include crafting, prop making, and painting projects as students work together using improvisation and physical acting to bring their show to life. Students perform in an original play with hands-on projects to create props, costumes, and set pieces. Classes begin with a group warm up and movement-based game. Students explore crafting and learn skills for collaboration and problem solving. Each session ends with a performance for friends and family.

Shakespeare & Play for Ages 8-12

Class Description: This class introduces students to fundamental concepts for acting Shakespeare. Using scenes from Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, students explore character development and poetic language while learning skills for collaboration. Each class begins with a warmup, movement, and improvisation game. The session ends with a showcase for friends and family.

Film Project for Ages 8-12

Class Description: In this class, students learn the basics of acting for the camera while building skills for confidence, collaboration, and vocal expression. Each class begins with a vocal warm up and game based in movement and improvisation. Students discover their unique screen presence using physical acting exercises to invent characters, improvise scenes, and create their own short film project. There is an invited screening for friends and family in the last class.

Shakespeare & Physical Acting for Ages 13-17

Class Description: This class introduces actors in middle and high school to concepts for Shakespeare and physical acting. Using scenes and monologues from Shakespeare’s plays, students explore character development, heightened language, and given circumstances while learning skills for collaboration and ensemble development. Each class begins with a vocal warm up and game based in movement and improvisation. Students are assigned material and characters as they work in small groups and receive generous feedback from our teaching artists.

Teen Ensemble Class for Ages 13-17

This class forms an ensemble for teen actors with weekly classes designed to enhance skills for performance and collaboration. Each 8-week module creates a unique experience, in which students explore audition techniques, contemporary scene study, and monologues. Specialty classes will focus on subjects including Shakespeare, clowning, stage combat, set design, and musical theatre performance. There is a combination of group work and individual instruction as teachers work generously with each student.

Physical Acting and Audition Techniques for Ages 13-17

This class introduces advanced concepts for audition techniques through movement and physical acting. Class includes a vocal and physical warm-up, games, and performance projects designed to elicit vocal and physical freedom. Physical acting invites students to explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. In this class, actors learn valuable skills for auditioning and participate in group exercises to build range, flexibility, and self-care.

Summer Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park for Ages 5-11

Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in clown and physical acting. Join us for our summer theater camp in Lincoln Woods State Park! Our classes invite students to explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Our summer camp embodies the same principles! Students ages 6-12 have a fun-filled week of theater games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Our Create and Perform Program provides hands-on crafting projects as students create costumes and props to bring their original show to life. Each week culminates in an outdoor performance for friends and family. All of this takes place in the picturesque environment of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Support Our Camp Fund

Studio Playgroud is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

Your donation creates access to arts education for children in Rhode Island.

Programs for Kids

Storytelling & Play for Ages 4-6

Providence, Rhode Island

More Info: Spring 2026

Play Creation for Ages 7-9

Providence, Rhode Island

More Info: Spring 2026

Classes for Adults

Laughing Club with Christopher Bayes

Virtual on Zoom

More Info: Laughing Club Fundraiser

Monologues & Physical Acting

Boston Center for the Arts

March 6-7, 2026

More Info: Weekend Workshop

Coaching for Actors & Performers

Boston, Providence & NYC

More Info: Acting Coaching

Summer Programs

Acting Intensive for Ages 13-17

July 6, 7 & 10, 2026

Providence, Rhode Island

More Info: Register

PVD Theater Camp for Ages 5-10

July 13-17, 2026

Providence, Rhode Island

More Info: Register

Theater Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park for Ages 5-11

August 3-21, 2026

Lincoln, Rhode Island

More Info: Register

Guest Classes and Workshops

Available across Rhode Island

Inquiries: info@studioplayground.org

Work with Us

Studio Playground is seeking Teaching Artists to join our team. This is a part-time seasonal position. Opportunities include after-school programs in Rhode Island and our theater camp in Lincoln Woods State Park which occurs August 3-21, 2026. The time commitment varies depending on the program. Compensation: $30 per hour.

The mission of Studio Playground is to use the performing arts to promote acceptance & empowerment for children in Rhode Island. Our classes are based in movement and physical acting with a focus on skills to support social emotional development. Our teaching practices emphasize using theater education to foster a feeling of belonging for students.

Required Experience

• Undergraduate degree

• Teaching experience (2 years)

• Theater experience (2 years)

To apply, email info@studioplayground.org with your resume, references, and cover letter.

Please indicate whether you are interested in being a teacher for after-school programs or for our theater camp in Lincoln Woods State Park.

If interested in volunteering for Studio Playground, email: info@studioplayground.org.

Mission Statement & Core Values

We believe all children deserve opportunities for creative enrichments & social-emotional learning benefits derived from arts education, which are essential elements for healthy development. By establishing a classroom environment in which students feel seen & respected, we encourage bravery & compassion.

Our teaching philosophy is based on meeting students where they are & modeling compassion, respect & inclusion. Our programs foster empowerment by teaching the health benefits of laughter, facilitating the physical and emotional benefits of play & inspiring empathy for younger generations.

Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in movement, theatrical clown & physical acting. Students explore the health benefits of laughter through performance & playful improvisation.

Our curriculum integrates concepts for social-emotional learning with a focus on self-awareness & relationship skills. Studio Playground serves over 250 children annually. Our programs include weekly acting classes in Providence, theater camps, and after-school programs across Rhode Island.

Partner with Studio Playground

We are proud to partner with organizations that share our values and commitment to providing access to theater education. Our partners include Boys & Girls Club of Providence, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Children’s Opportunity Zone (COZ), Moses Brown School, Gordon School, Jacqueline Walsh School for the Arts, Providence Children’s Museum, and & the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. To request a professional development workshop or after-school program, email: info@studioplayground.org.