JUNIOR ACADEMY
Get ready to have fun while learning acting techniques at our Junior Academy, an 8-week program specially designed for young actors aged 7-9. Focused on fun and skill-building, this program provides a supportive environment where young actors can make friends, enhance communication skills, and work together to bring scenes and characters to life.
At the end of the semester, there's a showcase for friends and family to enjoy! With a limited class size of 12 students, each young actor receives personalized attention on their creative journey.
ACADEMY DATES
The Junior Academy is offering on session this fall:
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:15 pm
Beginning Sep. 10, 2025
8 weeks
12-Student Limit
ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS
Whether a beginner or an experienced actor, all students will build friendships and grow their acting skills- culminating in a showcase celebrating their creative journey! Highlights of the Junior Academy include:
Well-rounded acting training covering on-camera skills, audition techniques, and more
Experience with industry professionals
A showcase for actors to demonstrate their skills
Small class sizes, so no one gets lost in the crowd
Elevate your acting experience—join the Junior Academy for a transformative and fun acting journey!
Weeks 1-2 | Acting for Camera
Students will jump right in with acting for camera techniques! This fun and informative section will teach students on-camera skills such as:
Working within the frame (Crossing, eye lines, hitting marks, etc.)
Taking direction
Character development
Differences between film and theatre performing
Film terms and industry vocabulary
Scene work
Weeks 3-4 | Improvisation
Explore the fun side of acting with this important skillset: Improv! These three weeks of training will focus on improvising skills where students will learn:
Over three weeks, students will hone improvising skills, focusing on:
The fundamentals of improv
Improvising in auditions (it happens more than you'd think!)
Working with scene partners and collaborating while improvising
Scene work
Weeks 5-6 | Auditioning for the Camera
Studying with working professionals in the casting office is the best training around! Casting associate Tiffany Feese and casting assistant Bethany Bourland will work with students on:
Understanding the dos and don'ts of audition’
Taking direction quickly
Applying on-camera acting techniques to auditions
Mastering cold reading
Scene work
Weeks 7 | Workshop & Rehearsal
Casting Director Chris Freihofer, CSA, will join the students for a mock audition, offering a unique chance for actors to experience the feel of a real audition.
Then, it's rehearsal time! The group will work on their best scenes from the course and practice their favorite improv games for the showcase.
Week 8 | Showcase
Join us for an exciting showcase where families and friends are invited to witness the incredible achievements of our young performers!
SNAPSHOT OF WHAT'S AHEAD
Our young performers are in for an exciting journey! Throughout each week, students will work on scenes from film and television, pushing their craft forward. Here's a breakdown of what to expect each week:
MEET YOUR TEAM
Discover the team behind the Young Performers Academy! Explore below to meet our dedicated staff, each bringing unique talents to create a fully rounded semester.
Kerynn Eckenrode
Improvisor & Professional Actor
Professional actor, improviser and young performer acting teacher, Kerynn Eckenrode holds her BFA in Acting Performance from the University of Oklahoma. She has appeared in film and professional stage productions. She joined the Academy team last year where she served as the improv teacher for summer film camps. Academy segment: Improv
Melanie Baxter
Director of Junior Academy & Professional Actor
Multiple award-winning actor Melanie Baxter has her BFA in Acting from the University of Oklahoma and has appeared in multiple commercials, films, and television. Look for her this fall on the Hulu series THE LOWDOWN. She is a staple at The Actor Factory, having taught several camps for both adults and kids. She also is the teaching assistant for the adult classes Acting for Camera, Advanced Camera, and Scene Study. Also look for her in the Crackle series Fairwood and in a 2024 blockbuster film!
Junior Academy Segments: Acting for Camera, Auditioning
PRICING
We understand the importance of financial considerations, and our payment policies are designed to provide clarity and flexibility for your child's participation in the Young Performers Academy. To make the journey more accessible, we offer flexible payment plans, ensuring your investment in your child's artistic growth is both valuable and considerate.
$250
A non-refundable $100 deposit is required upon enrollment to secure your child's spot.
Payment Plans: We understand the financial commitment, and to assist, we offer flexible payment plans. The remaining balance can be conveniently paid in monthly installments.
Got a question?
Not sure where to start? Fill out the contact form, and we will get back to you. For more answers, check out our FAQs and Policies page.