Physical Theater Intensive

Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider

September 26-27, 2027

Welcome to our Physical Theater Weekend Workshop! This workshop is intended for performers in all stages of training. Over 2 days, students participate in games and performance projects designed to elicit vocal and physical freedom. The weekend includes elements of Viewpoints, Commedia dell’arte, Theatrical Clown - a form of physical acting that invites actors to come as they are, shake off their social mask, and explore the health benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation.

Classes begin with a vocal & movement warm-up. Throughout the weekend, students participate in exercises to support solo performance as well as working creatively in small groups. There will be a 30-minute break each day for lunch and short breaks as needed. Studio Playground classes are for everyone: actors, movers, anyone with a desire to connect through laughter and playful improvisation.

Monologues & Physical Acting

Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider

October 24-25, 2026 (Fall Session)

March 20-21, 2027 (Spring Session)

Saturday & Sunday, 1:00pm-6:00pm

Get ready to dive into monologues with playful curiosity and wild abandon! Let’s get out of our heads and into the world of our characters. This class integrates fundamental concepts for script analysis with movement games and physical theater. Over two days, participants explore techniques designed to promote range and flexibility as they apply physical acting exercises to material from contemporary theater, film, and television.

Classes begin with a vocal & movement warm-up and include class discussion with applications for audition techniques, character development, and approaching given circumstances in scenes and monologues. The workshop includes individual work, working with a scene partner, and ensemble exercises. There will be a 30-minute break each day for lunch and short breaks as needed.

Laughing Club with Christopher Bayes

Instructed by Christopher Bayes

Dates to Be Announed

Friday, 5:00pm-6:00pm

Laughing Club is a wellness practice created by Christopher Bayes, renowned teacher and Head of Physical Acting for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. The workshop is for actors, performers & anyone with a desire to explore the health benefits of laughter. Christopher Bayes is Professor in the Practice of Acting and Head of Physical Acting at David Geffen School of Drama, Director of the Pandemonium Studio, and Artistic Advisor for Studio Playground. Laughing Club was featured on NY1/New Yorker of the Week.

Tickets support the scholarship fund for our theater camp in Lincoln Woods State Park. Your gift creates access to theater education for kids in Rhode Island. Studio Playground is a 501(C)(3) nonprift organization. Donations are tax-deductible..

Movement Weekend Workshop

Instructed by Alexander Crespo-Rosario

Dates Will Be Announced

Transform pedestrian movement into dance through observation, playful improvisation, and physical exercises. Not an experienced dancer? No worries! This class focuses on guiding participants to create movement phrases which enhance expression and narrative storytelling. Students will explore elements of choreography, clown, and ensemble dance.

Theater Education for Young Audiences

Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider

Dates To Be Announced

This class introduces foundational concepts for theater education and their applications in a variety of settings for youth audiences. Students participate in games based in movement, physical theater, playful improvisation, and theatrical clown. Students deepen their understanding of concepts related to social-emotional learning, cultural representation, and the benefits of performing arts for young audiences with class discussions on a variety of topics, including verbal and nonverbal storytelling, multimodal learning, theater therapy, theater for social justice.

Individual Coaching Sessions

Available in Boston, Providence, & NYC

Virtual Sessions Available on Zoom

The benefits of movement and physical acting include range, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect to an audience. Our teachers are industry professionals with extensive experience in theater, film, and television. Sessions are designed to support the individual growth of actors and performers for audition preparation and performance skills. Studio Playground classes and individual coaching sessions are intended for actors, performers, and professionals in other industries to enhance their ability to connect to a group and engage in public speaking, In-person sessions are available in Boston & Providence. Virtual sessions available on Zoom. More Info: Acting Coaching

Boston Center for the Arts

Classes for Actors & Performers

Studio Playground teaches classes for actors and performers based in movement and physical acting. The benefits of physical theater include range, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect to an audience. Our weekend workshops at Boston Center for the Arts invite actors & performers to explore physical theater & playful improvisation.