Calling all writers! Playwriting ensemble is the chance to learn about the different aspects of playwriting, channel our creativity, and create original stories ready to take the stage. Through prompts, games, partner and group work, and even special guests, each day will provide different inspiration in getting our stories from brain to page. Each session will provide opportunities for individual and group work, the goal being that each writer comes away from this process with scenes, or a completed short play, to share with friends and family.

This class runs five weeks: 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15

There’s a WHOLE world of music to discover! From toe-tapping tunes to silly sounds, join us as we explore the magic of rhythm, melody, and song. Grab your imaginary instruments, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to create your own musical story! Each week, we’ll work together to build an exciting adventure with interactive games, imaginative prompts, and musical-themed acting challenges. Who will we meet? Where will the music take us? Each class will reveal a new part of our journey, leading up to a fun-filled performance for friends and family on the final day!

This class runs six weeks: 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16

Join the Theatre Crew Program and work backstage on Mainstage productions. In this orientation, new crew members will operate the light and sound equipment in the booth, have a backstage tour, and learn how to support our professional productions. After attending the orientation, crew members will be enrolled in the Crew Program and will have the opportunity to sign up to work on our season productions alongside professional actors, stage managers, and technicians. Monday, February 3, 2025, 3:45 - 5:15 pm.

It's a BIIIIIIIIIIG universe out there—from galaxies to planets to stars! Put on your space suit or your alien costume and let's explore the Universe together. Join the Troupe and work together to discover one shared story through interactive games, imaginative prompts, and space-themed acting challenges to bring these characters to life. Each class will shape the adventure, and tell us what happens next. We will share the entire story with friends and families on the final day of class.

This class runs six weeks: 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, and 3/5 (no class on February 19)

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine will host an annual Youth Playwriting Festival in Spring 2025! Attend our Playwriting Orientation to get a jump start on writing your play. We will answer questions about the festival, help brainstorm ideas for your play, and teach you some tips and tricks for getting started. Monday, December 9, 2024. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Something strange has happened at CMTM, and we need some secret agents to unravel the mystery. Be part of a squad of theatre-makers, grab a magnifying glass, and prepare for a super secret mission! Play games that inspire character development and world-building. We will share a brief performance with friends and families on the final class day. Theatre Playmaking Squad - Top Secret! runs six weeks: 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Roar, roar, stomp, stomp, travel back in time to become your favorite dinosaur! For young actors that have stories to share- this class is for you! Join the Troupe and work together to discover one shared story through interactive games, imaginative prompts, and dino-tastic acting challenges to bring these characters to life. Each class will shape the adventure and tell us what happens next. We will share the entire story with friends and families on the final class day. Creative Drama Troupe Prehistoric Play runs six weeks: 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18. There is no class on Wednesday, November 27. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Practice your acting skills by playing games! In this workshop, actors will practice saying "Yes And" to their scene partners, become more comfortable with improved conversation, and gain confidence onstage in a safe environment. Monday, October 7, 2024. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Join CMTM's Theatre Crew Program and work backstage on Mainstage productions. In this orientation, new crew members will operate the light and sound equipment in the booth, have a backstage tour, and learn how to support our professional productions. After attending the orientation, crew members will be enrolled in the Crew Program and will have the opportunity to sign up to work on our season productions alongside professional actors, stage managers, and technicians. Monday, September 30, 2024. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Pretend to be a monster and bring this classic Halloween party song to the stage! This class is for you for young actors with stories to share! Work together to bring your favorite Halloween creatures to life and throw the best Halloween Party of the year. Through interactive games and imaginative prompts, each class will shape this party adventure to show us what the Monster Mash is really all about. We will share the entire story with friends and families on the final day of class. Creative Drama Troupe Monster Mash runs six weeks: 9/25 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30. 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm.

Create a play that takes place entirely underwater! Become an underwater sea creature, a mermaid, or someone who is snorkeling! Explore the depths of the sea with your imagination, and imagine our show is below the surface of the ocean. With a touch of magic and a sprinkle of imagination, we will create a shared story through interactive games and prompts.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 5 weeks from April 24 to May 22: 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22.

On the first day of this theatre class, you and the squad of theatre makers will create a map of a fantasy world. You will decide what kind of beasts, monsters and creatures live in this fantasy world, and these beings will inspire your character. Over the course of the class, you will bring this world to life and develop the story of how it came to be and what will happen next.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Tuesdays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 5 weeks from April 23 to May 21: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 8

Explore the exciting realms of non-verbal communication and stage directions. Step into the shoes of a director, learning how to guide actors, set designers, and the audience through the world of your play.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 7

Metaphors can elevate your storytelling to new heights. Play with the extraordinary connection between words and music.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 6

How do you string together a beginning, middle and end to create a cohesive narrative? What is the hero’s journey, and how can we use dramatic structure for inspiration?

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 5

Everything the director and actor need to know about your character is revealed in the way they talk to each other. In this workshop, you will write captivating conversations that breathe life into characters and drive narratives forward.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 4

Dive into the world of theatrical tension and drama. Learn how to craft a compelling conflict that will move your narrative forward, build tension, and find resolution.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 3

Who is your story about? What is the relationship between your characters? How do they change as the story progresses? Learn about character development and how small choices can make a big difference.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Abracadabra! If you are fascinated by the world of magic and have a few tricks up your sleeve, this theatre class is for you! Create a magician character that is invited to put on the most dazzling magic show on earth, but what happens when all the bunnies end up in strange places, and tricks go awry? With a touch of magic and a sprinkle of imagination, we will create a shared story through interactive games and prompts.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 5 weeks from March 6 to April 3: 3/3, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3.

It was a dark and stormy night. There may have been the sound of an owl hooting. A strange note is slipped under your door. Who delivered it? What does it say? Be part of a squad of theatre-makers and play games that inspire character development and world-building. Create a classic “whodunit?” show where you are part of a team of detectives that solve a case.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Tuesdays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 5 weeks from March 5 to April 2: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 2

When and where does your play take place? In this writing workshop, we will experiment by changing the setting and seeing how it would affect the characters and the story.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Playwriting Workshop Series: Workshop 1

How do you begin writing a play? Learn how to find inspiration all around you and how to write your first scene to introduce your audience.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Mondays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 8 weeks from February 26 to April 15. Participants can take one or all sessions.

Come one, come all-- the circus is in town! Create a circus act and a circus character for a small traveling circus troupe, and let’s put on a show. With a touch of humor and a sprinkle of imagination, we will create our three-ring Circus show through interactive games and prompts.

This drop-off workshop series meets weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm for 5 weeks from January 17 to February 14: 1/17, 1/24, 1/3, 2/7, and 2/14. No class 2/21.

Monday, December 18

Learn the basics of fight scenes in a safe and supportive environment.

Intensive Theatre Workshop: Voice For The Actor: Ages 9-12

Monday, December 11

Projecting your voice onstage is a learned skill and takes a lot of practice. In this workshop, you’ll learn vocal expression skills that build the connection between your body and your voice, all while strengthening your diction, projection, and pitch.

Intensive Theatre Workshop: Playwrighting: Ages 9-12

Monday, December 4

You: Is it even possible to write a play in one day?
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine: Of course it is!
You: How?
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine: Sign up for this workshop and find out!

Intensive Theatre Workshop: Crew Skills Lab: Ages 9-12

Monday, November 27

Learn the fundamentals of running a light board, sound board, or working the deck backstage. After taking this Crew Workshop, you can sign up for a shift running a board for a professional production to gain more experience working backstage.

Intensive Theatre Workshop: Improv Game Jam: Ages 9-12

Monday, November 20

Learn the fundamentals of improv, beginning with the most important “yes, and...” A Monday Intensive Workshop is an opportunity to grow as a theatre artist and join the Theatre Family.

Neverending Story Auditions: Ages 10-14

Monday, November 13

Do you love acting? Do you want to perform in a play alongside professional adult actors? Would you like to perform a show many times for thousands of families and school groups? The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is seeking young actors (ages 10-14) for a production of The Neverending Story that will begin rehearsals in January and be staged in April 2024.

Creative Drama Troupe: Mixed Up Fairy Tales: Ages: 5-7

Wednesday, November 8 - Wednesday, December 20 (Wednesdays/ Weekly - No Class November 22)

Imagine if Jack climbed up the beanstalk, and instead of finding a giant, there were three bears eating porridge! Or if Little Red Riding Hood got lost on her way to her grandmother’s and befriended a pig building a house out of straw! You pick the character, but in this version of the story, they will do what you least expect! This class is for young actors like you with stories to share! Join the troupe and work together to find one shared story through interactive games and imaginative prompts. Each class will shape the adventure and tell what happens next.