Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre & Children's Theatre

As Frederick continues to grow, so does the interest in the performing arts. Not just an interest in seeing a show, but to be in one; to learn how it all works. And no one is more interested than the area's youth. Theatre acting classes are becoming more and more popular so it is very important for parents to find just the right one for their child.

Way Off Broadway offers youth theatre classes throughout the year. Weekly classes are offered during the spring and fall and we have a wildly popular Children's Theatre Summer Camp.

Sessions are offered in both Drama and Musical Theatre.

DRAMA CLASSES are packed with improv games, stage techniques, and a heavy dose of imagination. We will be focusing on the process of creating memorable characters along with the necessary preparations for a successful audition. Our final class will be an invited observation of our best work in improv games and short scenes. Come ready to have fun and show off!

MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES focus on all aspects of musical theatre through vocal music, acting exercises, and basic choreography. Scene studies and musical performance techniques will also receive emphasis along with auditioning skills and various methods of character development for the musical stage. At the end of the session, students put on a mini-performance.

Way Off Broadway is proud to have some of the best instructors in the world of theatre teaching our Youth Theatre Classes and Summer Camp. The best instructors are those who are actively involved in all aspects of the theatre industry. As our education program grows, we will always strive to offer the best instructors and instruction to our students. Take a minute to meet the instructors currently teaching at Way Off Broadway.

BILL KISKA (Instructor) is Way Off Broadway's Executive Producer and has been one of the theatre's owners and chief executive since 2002. However, his performing and educational credits go back well before his time at Way Off Broadway. Having earned a degree in Music and Theatre from Duquesne University, he performed with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, both in Pittsburgh and during its European Tour while he was in college. After graduating, he taught Music and Theatre in Pennsylvania area schools before finally moving to Maryland. As a director, he has been responsible for bring such shows as Oliver!, The King and I, Hello, Dolly!, . . . Forum, The Wizard of Oz, Forever Plaid, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evita, and the regional premieres of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl - The Musical and The Wedding Singer to the stage, just to name a few of his favorites. He has also appeared in countless productions over the years, with his favorite roles being Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Georges in the area premiere of Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's smash-hit musical comedy La Cage aux Folles.

JORDAN STOCKSDALE (Instructor) is a graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory with a major in Musical Theatre and a minor in Piano. He is Way Off Broadway's Artistic Coordinator and the founding Artistic Director of Stocking Productions, an independent theatrical production company. Aside from being a performer all over the Maryland/Virginia region, he has also served as Musical Director and Assistant Music Director for several productions and has also been an instructor through the FUN Company at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre. Jordan couldn't think of a more rewarding job then to help teach kids about his number one passion; theatre.

SUSAN THORNTON (Instructor) is the founder and director of Way Off Broadway's one-of-a-kind Children's Theatre, as well as one of the most well respected and sought after performers and theatre directors in the region. She has also been teaching Summer Camp at Way Off Broadway since the program first began. She graduated from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) with a BA in Theatre/English Secondary Education and has taught and/or directed in Frederick County schools since 1985. Susan has also performed and directed at theatres in Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, DC and for four years, she toured elementary and middle schools with educational shows for children through Young Audiences of MD. Frederick area residents will also know Susan from her days on Comcast 10 hosting the entertainment show Artscape.