Next Generation School of Theatre:

Our popular school break program gives young artists in grades 3-7 the opportunity to develop artistic skills, create community, and have fun.

Up Next: The Hangar’s 2025 Spring Break-a-Leg Session

Price: $350

Dates: April 14–18, 2025

Times: 9 am – 3 pm, daily

Grades:  3rd – 7th

Register HERE!

This drama class takes a holistic approach to theatre, guiding students in developing essential skills in collaboration. Students will engage in a dynamic creative process where improvisation, games, and character embodiment serve as primary tools for storytelling and scriptwriting. Through these interactive techniques, students will explore plot structure and work together to create a group-written play by the end of the week and will share what they’ve learned with caregivers and families on the final day.

Our Spring Break-a-Leg Teaching Artists:

Claire Gratto is a theatrical performer, teacher, playwright, and director from Rochester, New York. Claire graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies and a minor in Vocal Music from Ithaca College in 2023. Since then, Claire has served as a teaching artist at the Hangar as well as directed last summer’s Next Gen Musical: The Addams Family Young@Part. Additional theatrical work includes music direction for Willy Wonka Jr. with Trumansburg Middle School, the Geva Theatre Center’s Summer Academy, and Blackfriars Theatre in Rochester, New York.

Sheila Wallis (she/her) holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Theatre Studies from Ithaca College. She has been a Teaching Artist at the Hangar Theatre for two years, working in various capacities, including Next Gen Summer Classes and Project 4. In addition to her work with the Hangar, Sheila is a Voice Faculty Member at Flight Performing Arts, where she teaches voice lessons to students of all ages in the Ithaca community. She has extensive experience teaching theatre to students ages 5-18, having served as a teaching artist at Hope Repertory Theatre, Ithaca Tween Day, and the Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP).

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS

Financial aid available for all Hangar Education programs. Click on the Scholarship Request Form link to receive aid!

Scholarship Request Form

We also offer the chance to purchase a class for a student as a pay-it-forward initiative. For additional questions or to contribute to our Pay-it-Forward fund, please email education@hangartheatre.org