The Huntington Academy
The Huntington Academy is a learning lab for people of all ages and experience levels. Courses, workshops, corporate training, and more will be added to The Academy’s catalogue throughout the season.
Academy courses provide an opportunity for students of all ages to explore playwriting and performance. Led by industry professionals, Huntington Academy students will also develop essential life skills through theater games, scene work, and performance. Discover and cultivate your acting skills, unlock your creative problem-solving skills, gain a deeper understanding of the theatre industry, and more in these courses.
Please note: The Education Department is open Monday to Friday, 10 am-6 pm.
“The Huntington brings fresh and original theater to Boston. It’s Academy offers the best training from experienced and working theater professionals across all crafts.”-Participant from Fall 2025 Step Into the Scene: Adult Scene Study with Jesse Garlick
Course Offerings:
Age: Adult (18+)
Instructor: Jesse Garlick
Location: The Huntington’s Administrative Offices, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Tuition: $350
Recommended Experience: This course is designed for adults with a degree/certification in theatre arts, acting, and/or performing arts, or equivalent professional experience.
Dates: Wednesdays 6-8:30 pm
3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20
About the Course: Returning upon popular demand, get ready to explore deep, play hard, and bring scenes to life in this high-energy course! Led by professional actor and educator Jesse Garlick (The Band’s Visit at The Huntington), this course is all about sharpening your skills through rich character work, emotional honesty, and powerful scene study.
Through a mix of dynamic exercises, including sense memory, active listening, and character motivation, you’ll explore new ways to connect with your scene partners and the text. Guided by Jesse’s expert coaching, you’ll rehearse selected scenes in a collaborative, rehearsal-style setting where feedback is all about growth, discovery, and giving space to take creative risks.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your technique or just want to have a blast growing as an actor, this course is a chance to stretch your instrument, explore fresh approaches, and build something amazing with your fellow performers in a professional and safe environment. It all leads up to a final scene sharing—part performance, part celebration of your work and the journey you’ve taken to get there.
Grades: Adult (18+)
Tuition: $350
Recommended Experience: No previous performance or theatre experience is required.
Dates: Thursdays from 6-8pm
4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21
Location: The Huntington’s Administrative Offices, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
About the Course: Welcome back to the world of clowning! Get ready to tumble headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of clowning. In this high-energy, joy-fueled course, you’ll explore the playful heart of comedy through improvisations, games, status exploration, costumes, song and dance, and glorious moments of delightful disaster.
Led by Lecoq-trained teacher, director, and theatre artist Susan Thompson, this class is your personal playground to uncover your unique clown persona. Along the way, you’ll laugh, flop, connect, and create with your fellow fools, culminating in a final sharing that showcases your collaborative clown brilliance.
No experience required — just bring your curiosity, your willingness to look silly, and your most honest self. Leave your ego at the door and bring your heart to the floor. It’s time to clown around!
Age: 3-5
Instructor: Lauren Mennen
Location: The Huntington’s Administrative Offices, 560 Harrison Ave, Suite 504, Boston, MA 02118
Tuition: $100
Dates: Thursdays from 10-11am
4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/6, 5/14
About the Course: Jump into the world of classic children’s stories with Storytime Drama! This course is an introduction to the world of theatre designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Each session, instructor Lauren Mennen will read a beloved story to the group before the students act out the story themselves! Stories will focus on topics such as emotions, inclusion, collaboration, and the importance of friendship. Storytime Drama will help students develop key vocabulary and learn how to embody a character.
Age: Adult (18+)
Instructor: Mark Rose
Location: Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Tuition: $75
Recommended Experience: No previous stage combat experience is required.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 12:30-3:30pm
About the Course: Led by fight choreographer, stunt man, actor, and Certified Teacher Mark Rose, this workshop is the perfect space to learn, explore, and practice stage combat techniques for the theatre. Students will learn the foundational skills of unarmed stage combat and learn how to stay safe when doing both contact and non-contact stage combat techniques. Gain practical skills such as finding the right angle when staging a punch, learning how to safely fall when reacting to a theatrical push, and making a hair pull seem real to an audience. Students will gain hands-on experience in unarmed stage combat, reinforcing the importance of communication and safety with your scene partners. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the “magic tricks” of stage combat and how to play with an audience’s perception of what is real.
“This class was the highlight of my week. I think I really lucked out with Susan and the classmates I had because we all had great play chemistry. I spent every week laughing throughout the entire class and having so much fun. It was just the best. It’s had a really positive impact on my mental/emotional health.”
-Participant from Fall 2025 Discovering Your Inner Clown
Course Payment, Cancellation, and Refund Policies
Full payment is due at the time of registration. Please check each course description for pricing. The Huntington accepts debit cards and all major credit cards for payment. If you would prefer to mail a check, please email us at academy@huntingtontheatre.org before completing your purchase online.
This course requires a minimum of 8 students to be registered 14 days before the first session. The Huntington will provide you a full refund of your tuition if the course does not run. If you cancel with at least 21 days’ notice from the start of the course, you will receive a 75% refund. If you cancel between 14-20 days prior to the start of the course, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel with less than 14 days notice, you will not receive a refund.
Once you have completed the registration purchase, you will receive an email from The Huntington’s Education Department to complete all required paperwork for the course. Payment and completion of this paperwork is required to complete registration. The Huntington reserves the right to release your spot if registration is not completed within 7-days of purchase.
If you have any questions, please email us at academy@huntingtontheatre.org
“This course was exceptional. 11 stars out of 10. Jesse is hands-down one of the best acting coaches I’ve worked with. Moreover, the fellow actors in this class were great. It can be rare to get a class where everyone is talented, committed, and most importantly–fun! I genuinely hope to see them again.”
Participant from Fall 2025 Step Into the Scene: Adult Scene Study with Jesse Garlick
