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.
Registration for courses closes two business days prior to the first day of each course to ensure time for us to finalize the roster. Please email academy@huntingtontheatre.org with any questions.
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:
Please note:
Instructor: Jesse Garlick
Age: 18+
Tuition: $350
Recommended Experience: No previous performance/theatre experience is required.
Venue: Huntington Education Space, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Dates: Mondays, 6:00-8:30pm
9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19*, 10/26, 11/2
*Private coaching sessions for each scene will take place between 5-10pm on this day, specific timeslots TBD
About:
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 an introduction to scene study using dramatic text and gives you the chance to sharpen your skills through rich character work and emotional honesty. 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.
Instructor: Chiara Durazzini
Age: 18+
Tuition: $300
Recommended Experience: No previous performance/theatre experience is required.
Venue: Huntington Education Space, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Dates: Thursdays, 6:00-8:00pm
9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Please note, there is no class on 10/22
About: Take a fascinating journey into the origins of comedy! This course dives into the rich culture of Italy through the vibrant world of Commedia dell’Arte. Gain hands-on experience in this movement-focused course, led by co-founder and artistic director of the Commedia dell’Arte company Pazzi Lazzi Troupe, Chiara Durazzini (dialect and text coach for The Light in the Piazza at The Huntington). This is your chance to explore the history and defining features of this highly physical form of theater that continues to inspire performers today.
This course will start with an exploration of body isolations and shaping a “body‑mask.” You’ll investigate the postures, gestures, and signature walks of iconic stock characters to understand how physical traits reveal psychological and personality traits, analyzing archetypes such as Zanni, Arlecchino, Pantalone, Colombina, Capitano, the Nobles, and more. Then you’ll move into mask work, experimenting with costumes and props, and conclude by improvising on excerpts from historical scenarios dating back to the late 1500s. Be ready to move, play, and have fun!
Instructor: Deby Xiadani
Age: 18+
Tuition: $300
Recommended Experience: No previous performance/theatre experience is required.
Venue: Huntington Education Space, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Dates: Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00pm
10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16
*Please note, there is no class on 11/25
About:
Clown is an exciting artform that is really having its moment! Find out why! Whether you’re a standup comedian, improvisor, expert clown, or have never done anything like this before, the art of CLOWN will unlock a new appreciation on life, performance, and laughter. This course is designed to make you a better performer, more sensitive to the audience, and a stronger artist. Taught by Deby Xiadani (Artistic Director of The Rockwell and Co-Founder of The Boston Fringe), this course is open to all experience levels and offers a supportive and collaborative environment. It is ideal for anyone who is ready to elevate their comedic practice and rediscover what makes performing electric.
Instructor: Mark Rose
Age: 18+
Tuition: $200
Venue: Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Recommended Experience: No previous performance/theatre experience is required.
Dates: November 7 & 8, 12:30-6:30pm
About:
Led by fight choreographer, stunt man, actor, and Certified Teacher Mark Rose, this weekend workshop intensive is the perfect space to learn, explore, and practice armed and unarmed stage combat techniques for the theatre. On Day 1, 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. Day 2 will focus on armed stage combat learning the in’s and out’s of theatrical sword. Learn basic lines of attack and how to properly partner with someone, all while reinforcing the importance of communication and safety. With Mark Rose’s expert eye guiding you along the way, you will practice playing with an audience’s perception of what is real and explore the “magic tricks” of stage combat.
This workshop qualifies as part of the 30 hours of training required for the SAFD Stage Combat Skills Proficiency Test in Unarmed and Armed stage combat.
For an example of our course offerings, check out the document below:
“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
