Behind the Curtain: What Your Child Actually Does in Acting Class

“So… what do they do in there?”

It’s one of the questions I get asked most, and the real answer usually surprises parents.

They learn to be present.

Not the sit-still-and-pay-attention kind of present. The kind where your whole body is awake and ready for whatever happens next. Acting depends on it, and most of us lose it somewhere along the way to growing up.

Everything we do in class is built to protect that, grow it, and give kids a place to practise it alongside other kids doing the same thing.

Here’s what a class at West End Playhouse actually looks like.

Warm-Up (10–15 minutes)

We start by checking in: names, how the day went, what’s been happening this week. Even kids who only see each other once a week start building real friendships in these few minutes.

That matters more than it might seem. You can’t take creative risks in front of people you don’t feel comfortable with.

Then we get moving. We shake out our hands, stretch, and warm up our voices. We play games like Zip Zap Zop and Sound Ball, which are fast, loud, and a little ridiculous.

The goal is to get kids out of their heads, where they might feel self-conscious, and into their bodies, where they’re just having fun. A warmed-up, relaxed actor is a present actor.

The Main Activities (55-70 minutes)

Depending on the class and the week, students might:

• Play improv games that build listening and quick thinking
• Work on a short scene with a partner
• Explore a character through voice and movement
• Rehearse lines and blocking for an upcoming showcase

Every activity is planned and has a purpose. But honestly, some of my favourite moments happen when we go off script and let our imaginations take us somewhere new. It can look like chaos and feel a little wild, but it is so much fun.

What looks like kids just being loud is usually kids inventing a character, committing to an impulse, or trying something they’ve never tried before. (Occasionally it’s a disagreement over who gets the crown. That’s part of the learning too.)

Adult actors spend years trying to get back to these skills. Kids come by them naturally.

Cool-Down and Reflection (5–10 minutes)

We come back together at the end. Sometimes it’s a quick game. Sometimes we share something that surprised us, something we noticed, or how we felt.

I’m always amazed by how much kids notice about what’s happening around them and with each other. This part of class is kid-led, and it’s where a lot of the real growth happens. Kids feel seen here, including kids who might not always feel that way at school. That’s where confidence and self-awareness start to grow.

What you’ll notice at pickup:

Your child will probably be a little out of breath.
Possibly still in character.
And very likely leaving with more energy than they came in with.

…Sorry about that.

Come see for yourself. I’d love to have you.