Play Creation
Theater & Visual Arts Class for Ages 9-11
Play Creation
Theater & Visual Arts Class for Ages 9-11
Winter Session: Saturdays, 1:30pm-3:00pm
January 26 - March 16, 2026
(No Classs Feb 16)
Class Description
This class combines visual arts and performing arts inviting students to explore multiple steps of creating a play. Each class begins with a warm-up and movement-based game. Students work together using improvisation, physical acting, and design elements to bring their original characters to life. Hands-on projects include creating props, crafting costume pieces, tie-dye, painting, and mask-making. The fall session culminates with a performance for friends and family on Thursday, November 13 at 5:30pm.
Learning Objectives
Skills for movement, improvisation, teamwork, and communication
Engage in multiple steps of creating a play
Learn elements of design by crafting props, costumes, and set pieces
Apply the actor’s tools of voice, body, and imagination to narrative storytelling and creating original characters
Articulate the ways that visual and performing arts support one another
Price and Location
Winter Session: $285 (7 Classes)
Location: Rhode Island School for the Deaf
Address: 1 Corliss Park, Providence, RI, 02908
Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, please visit: Financial Aid
To make a donation to our scholarship fund, please visit: Donations
Instructors
Play Creation includes visual arts, prop-making, costume design, improvisation, movement, and narrative storytelling. This class is instructed by Filipa Estrela and Matthew Bretschneider.
Ava Varszegi (she/her) is an illustrator and educator based in Providence, RI. Although she primarily teaches visual arts, she got her start teaching at the Children’s Circus of Middletown, where she taught unicycling, art, and clowning. She started attending the Children’s Circus as a camper at the age of nine , and later started touring with their Circophony traveling circus troupe, both run by Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, CT. She has a BFA from RISD, and certificates from RISD Continuing Education in Graphic Design and Natural Science Illustration.
Matthew Bretschneider (he/him) is Artistic Director of Studio Playground and an Adjunct Professor at Boston University. He has performed with the Huntington Theatre Company, The Flea Theater, Theatre Row, The New Ohio, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Kitchen Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. Television Credits include Law & Order: SVU and The Path. Matthew received his MSW from Rhode Island College School of Social Work and received a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Matthew has taught physical theater for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Trinity Repertory Company, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Jacqueline M Walsh School for the Arts, Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, Suffolk University, and Salve Regina University.
Safey Guidelines
Please note this policy is subject to change.
Wearing a mask is optional for staff and students. Class size is limited. Staff keep daily attendance records for contact tracing, provide hand sanitizer, and encourage hand hygiene.
Any student who has a fever is advised not attend class. Students must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to class.
2026 Summer Programs
Registration Opens January 2nd!
Acting Intensive for Ages 13-17
July 6, 7 & 10, 2026
Providence, Rhode Island
More Info: Register
Theater Camp in Providence 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