Class Descriptions

We have two semesters during our school year. Acting Improv and Monologues/Scene Work can be joined anytime.

Our Musical Theater classes are structured to be a full year experience. If you are taking the first semester, we recommend staying through the second semester to get the full experience. If you are thinking of joining mid year, we recommend joining during the weeks of January 2-19 for three weeks of trial classes (and a concert) before committing to the second semester.

Our Main Musical Theater - Acting and Singing Classes

From our original musical: Lemontales
Musical Theater - Rising Stars

Learn acting, singing, and movement. Theater games and performing tips from a seasoned pro! Giggling guaranteed. Culminating with each performer performing a scene or monologue and being a part of a concert first semester. Second semester culminates in a fully staged musical theater performance with sets, costumes, lights, and a professional band on the Community House stage.

Sign up for:

Rising Stars (Grades K-3) Tuesdays 
or
Rising Stars (Grades K-3) Fridays 3:35-4:20pm

Semester 1 (13 Weeks) October-January
Semester 2 (13 Weeks) January-May.

$480 Per Semester (2nd Semester is $100 more to include the Sunday Rehearsal Fee) 3-4 Sunday Rehearsals March-May Between The Hours Of 1-5pm For The May Show.
Joining Late? We Prorate.
Learn More About Our Year Together
See the Schedule

From our original musical: So Far From Home (originally What If)
Musical Theater - Garden Players

Acting and Singing Performing skills in a fun, challenging class! Warm-ups, movement, acting improv, singing, monologues, scenes, and all of the intensity and fun of developing musical theater performance skills. Culminating with each student performing a scene or monologue and being a part of at least one song first semester. Second semester culminates with a fully staged musical theater performances with sets, costumes, lights, and a professional band on the Community House stage.

Sign up for:

GP1 (Grades 3-5) Tuesdays Or Fridays 4:25-5:25pm

or
GP2 (Grades 5-9) Tuesdays Or Fridays 5:30-6:30pm


Semester 1 (13 Weeks) October-January
Semester 2 (13 Weeks) January-May.

$520 Per Semester (2nd Semester is $220 more with the Sunday Rehearsal Fee) + Sunday Rehearsals March-May Between The Hours Of 1-5pm For The May Show.
Joining Late? We Prorate.
Learn More About Our Year Together
See the Schedule

More Classes Offered This Semester

From our original musical: Behind the Scenes, developed from student acting improvisations.
Acting - Improv & Audition Techniques
This class will teach Audition Techniques and Acting Improv, helping actors release and relax as well as expanding professionalism and depth of knowledge.

Audition Techniques: Monologues, cold readings, creating beats, resumes, slates. Get ready for middle school, high school, and professional auditions. (You can also bring a song to get feedback on.)

Acting Improv: Act, Improvise, learn to say "Yes And". Get ready to move your body, express yourself, get silly while exploring deep topics in a freeing, fun way. Develop creativity and bravery through Yes And, Yes But, Gibberish, Rants, Ad Game, miming, teamwork, thinking on your feet, small groups, and so much more. Increase your confidence and connect to others with zanny ideas and courageous, supportive fun!
(grades 5-9). Mondays 5-5:50pm

12 Sessions
Semester 1 October-January
Second 2 January-May.
$520 Per Semester
Joining late? We Prorate.

(20% off if joining this as a second class)


See the Schedule
Betina Hershey and piano student.
Private Lessons
Light the flame of life-long learning: voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, drums, monologues, audition preparation, writing, songwriting, and more. Learn from enthusiastic NYC professionals, develop technique and follow your interests.

(5-100 years) Contact us to schedule now.
$50 for half an hour
$75 for 45 Min
$90 for an hour

Classes We Can Provide

Make Your Own Class. Have a group of kids and want your own small class? Reach out to us and we’ll put something together for you Online or In Person.

Contact us to schedule now.

Garden Players Alumni and Teachers include Professional Playwrights & Musical Theater Writers
Playwriting
Develop plot, characters, write and act out your scenes with other actors and Developing playwrights. Level 2 may lead to being performed as our May musical. Led by Betina Hershey and/or other professional playwrights who love teaching kids and teens. Questions About This Class? Email Betina Hershey.

(grades 5-9) Wednesdays 5-5:50pm

12 Sessions October-January
$520 Per Semester
(20% discount if this is your 2nd class)
From our original musical: The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever.
Singing & Songwriting
(grades 4-9). Come together for singing & songwriting… vocal technique, solfeggio, ear training, rhythm training, learn from musical theater and popular songs, compose your own to share with us and collaborate on a group-written song. Let your songwriting creativity flow, guided by professional composer, songwriter, band leader, performer and educator Betina Hershey. Culminating in a recording of our collaboration and/or performances. Led by Betina Hershey. Questions About This Class? Email Betina Hershey.
Thursdays 5-5:50pm
12 Sessions October-January
$520 Per Semester
Joining Late? We Prorate.
See the Schedule
Band Class: University of Rock, Raga to Bach

University Of Rock, Raga To Bach (Grades 4-8). Dive Into Being Part Of A Band… Exploring A Wide Variety Of Music Of The Beatles To Bach, Queen,Indian Raga, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Plus World Rhythms And Composing Your Own Original Music. Learn Ensemble Playing, Follow Your Musical Interests, Develop Musicianship Through Technique, Ear Training, Improvisation, Rhythm, Time Feel, Groove, Collaboration And More. Explore With Your Bandmates. Led By Professional Multi-Instrumentalist Nick Russo. Teacher Permission Required. Email Nick Russo Now. Interested? ​

Band students perform with professional musician and educator Nick Russo.
From our original musical: Musicville High
Audition Prep - Monologues, Cold Readings, Song Showcase

(grades 5-9). Audition Skills! Work on Middle School & high school audition material, monologues, scenes, Cold Readings, and present your song choices. Work with the intensity and fun that goes into Developing your artistry and Professionalism. Culminating in an in-class sharing with each student performing a scene and/or monologue. If you are auditioning for performing arts schools, let us know and we will help you find the right material and give you the feedback you’ll need to excel.

Gather 2 or more actors and schedule a time. Email Betina Hershey.

From our original musical: Musicville. These two performers went on to attend LaGuardia H.S. of Performing Arts.
Private Audition Coaching

Receive Monologue And Song Choices, Deepen Your Understanding And Technique, Understand The Audition Process, And Fine Tune Your Performance. Guided By Professional Performer And Educator Betina Hershey, Who Attended La Guardia H.S. Of The Performing Arts, And Has Helped Students Get Into La Guardia H.S., Frank Sinatra, Talent Unlimited., PPAS, School Of Film And TV, And More. Interested? Email Betina Hershey.

From our original musical: Behind the Scenes, developed from student acting improvisations.
Acting Improv 1
(grades 1-4). Act, Improvise, learn to say "Yes And". Get ready to move your body, express yourself, get silly and develop creativity and bravery through Yes And, Yes But, Gibberish, Rants, Ad Game, miming, teamwork, thinking on your feet, small groups, and so much more. Increase your confidence and connect to others with zanny ideas and courageous, supportive fun!

(Join 1st semester - Rising Stars or GP1 Class - which has Acting Improv and Singing.)