About WCT
A program of the Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown Children's Theatre engages young individuals and groups in the process of making theater. Through classes, workshops, private lessons, and vacation week and summer experiences, as well as in after school programming, participants are given the opportunity to explore topics ranging from the creation of an idea to onstage performance and backstage work.
History
In 1983, Founding Artistic Director Dinah Lane launched the Watertown Children’s Theatre with its inaugural production, Once Upon a Mattress, performed on the stage of Watertown High School. More musicals, productions of classical, contemporary, and original plays, as well as numerous educational workshops quickly followed, drawing thousands of participants from Watertown and surrounding towns.
Over the years, hundreds of plays, musicals, classes, workshops, and anniversary celebrations have brought together children, whole families, and communities to celebrate youth, performance, and the arts under WCT’s original mission:
• To be a cultural and educational resource for the community by providing opportunities for all children to appreciate and participate in the performing arts.
• To provide a range of theater experiences for children of diverse cultures and different ages.
• To foster self-discovery, creativity, confidence, group responsibility, and pride in accomplishment, as well as the development of skills in an enjoyable, non-competitive atmosphere.
Since moving to MCA in 2005, WCT has expanded its programming, now featuring nine productions in each season of musicals and plays in the Charles Mosesian and Dinah Lane Theaters, as well as classes, vacation programs and private voice lessons. Staff includes teaching artists with experience in a variety of specializations including playwriting, vocal performance, multiple styles of dance, and theater design/technology. These diverse styles and methods allow program opportunities for students of all interests, skill-levels and abilities. WCT has also been home to groundbreaking work in integrating ASL with performance. Recent performances have included additional accessible and sensory-friendly production elements to help serve an even wider audience.
In 2013, WCT formally merged with the Mosesian Center for the Arts and a fully blended approach to performing and visual arts began, leading to more multidisciplinary offerings and integrated vacation arts programs. The WCT Council, a body of current and former WCT parents, was formed at that time in order to provide ongoing support and ensure the health of the WCT programs going forward.
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Productions
WCT’s season features nine productions that offer participants of all ages the opportunity to work as part of an ensemble, gain confidence, and take pride in their accomplishments as they hone advanced skills in singing, acting, and movement/dance. Parents/Caregivers join the fun as they work together on offstage committees to help bring the production to life. Each production program culminates in fully staged performances for the public. This includes the Main Stage Musical Series, Junior Players, and the Black Box Series.
Main Stage Musical Series
The Main Stage Musical Series provides student performers the opportunity to gain advanced theater skills in singing, acting, and dancing. There is also a parent/caregiver orientation and parent/caregiver volunteer component as a part of this program. Performers will benefit from the opportunity to work with a director, choreographer, and music director in order to develop a fully-staged production for the public in the Charles Mosesian Theater. Please note that this is a registration, not audition, based program. Auditions are held as a part of the program, but all participants will be cast.
Junior Players
Junior Players is a companion program to our musicals. There is also a parent/caregiver orientation and parent/caregiver volunteer component as a part of this program. In the fall, Junior Players rehearse and perform their own one-of-a-kind musical revue. In winter and spring the Junior Players perform along with the Main Stage Musical ensemble as part of our Main Stage Musical production, and participants perform in one evening and one matinee performance. Please note that this is a registration, not audition, based program. No auditions are held for Junior Players.
Black Box Series
The Black Box Series provides student performers the opportunity to gain advanced theater skills in a smaller ensemble setting. Performers will benefit from collaborating within a small cast to develop a fully-staged production for the public in the Dinah Lane Theater.
The Fall Black Box Play (grades 3-5), Winter Black Box Play (grades 6-9) and Spring Black Box Musical (grades 6-9) are registration based programs, which include a parent/caregiver orientation and parent/caregiver volunteer component as a part of this program. Auditions are held as a part of the program, but all participants will be cast.
The Teen Winter Black Box Play and Spring Black Box Musical (grades 9-12) are audition based programs, which may not cast all performers who audition, depending on available roles.
CYC (Gr. 6-12)
Like a Cyclorama (or Cyc) curtain enclosing the stage to create a background, our CYC program serves as a basis for all technical/production work at WCT. CYC Participants receive priority consideration for serving as crew members for season productions, work alongside professional designers, and receive opportunities (based on skill level) to design showcases and student productions throughout the year.
There are three levels to the CYC program:
CYC 1: Intro to Technical Theater (Gr 6-12) is a weekly class to learn the fundamentals of theater design/technology. This class may also be taken as part of our Summer Stages and Studios programming (Gr. 5-8) as a two week intensive. Completion of CYC 1 gives participants priority access to participate in backstage crew for WCT Main Stage Musicals.
CYC Level 2: Core is an opportunity for participants in grades 8-12 to learn from a theater professional mentor. Participants choose a major and minor focus, and set specific project goals so they may confidently contribute to a production process. This program may be repeated for experience.
CYC Company are experienced students who have completed an application process and enough experience in at least 2 areas to participate on WCT productions as a part of the production team.
Private Voice Program
In Private Voice weekly lessons, participants acquire the skills for healthy singing with special attention paid to sustainable vocal technique, expressive singing, performance and stage skills, as well as general music appreciation and body awareness. Lessons are offered by term in person or online, in weekly half hour sessions, or one hour sessions at the discretion of the instructor. Details can be found on our Private Voice Lessons page.
Summer Stages and Studios
As a part of the MCA Summer Stages and Studios programming, WCT offers Youth Musicals, Teen Musical Institute and Teen Acting Intensive. While most Summer Stages and Studios programs are interdisciplinary, these three focus specifically on the performing arts.
Youth Musicals (Gr. 3-5 and 6-8)
This program is an opportunity for participants to sing, dance, and act in a two week intensive program that culminates in a performance of a Jr. or Kids musical for friends and family. The focus of this program is on building skills within an ensemble in a musical production. This is a registration based program. Auditions are held as a part of the program, but all participants will be cast.
Teen Musical Institute (Gr. 8-12)
Teen Musical Institute offers teen performers the opportunity to sharpen their performance skills as they collaborate towards a performance of a musical! This three-week, dance intensive program focuses on character creation, text analysis, musicality, and movement culminating in a public performance of a musical. This is an application based program. Once an application is completed and approved, participants can register for the program. Auditions are held as a part of the program, but all participants will be cast.
Teen Acting Intensive (Gr. 8-12)
Teen Acting Intensive offers teen performers an opportunity to refine their skills. Working with acting and directing professionals, they will develop their skills in scene and monologue work, improvisation, movement, and character building. A final showcase will feature a variety of short pieces that have been created or refined during the course of the program. This is an application based program. Once an application is completed and approved, participants can register for the program.
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WCT Council
The WCT Council is comprised of a dedicated group of parents and community members who donate their time and efforts to make our program a success. Our most sincere gratitude for all that they do!
Erin Beattie, Chair
Jeannette Belcher-Schepis
Lisa Gabel
Michelle Legere
Louise Harrison Lepera
Andrea Kremer
Dinah Lane, Founding Artistic Director
