Alban Arts Academy

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Future Artists & Performers

Several students of the Alban Arts Academy have gone on to perform locally and professionally, and have continued their arts education at the Governor’s School for the Arts and on into college as well. All of our students however, leave with a better understanding of the artform that they study and a greater appreciation and understanding of the people and world around them.

The Alban Arts Academy is a twice-yearly extra-curricular academy that has provided artistic education to the greater-metro area since 2010.

Academy classes include Acting, Improv, Musical Theatre and much more. All classes are taught by local artists, and over 1,000 students from 7 counties have traveled to St. Albans for their arts education needs.

The Alban Arts Academy Building is located at 2121 Kanawha Terrace. Conveniently situated directly across the street from St. Albans High School. The Alban Arts Center purchased this building in 2020 in an effort to grow the Alban Arts Academy and all it can offer. The Alban Arts Academy Building now houses all of classes, provides us with a working scene shop, and holds several productions each season as well.

Fall 2026 Schedule of Classes

Classes begin the week of August 24th and meet weekly for 12 weeks.

Each class has a $25 non-refundable registration fee which is subtracted from the total tuition.

All classes cost $250 (may vary with supply fees) and all students will receive a free Fall 26 Academy shirt if they are registered before August 21st! There is a 10% discount when registering for 2 or more classes within the same household.

November 9th-14th is the final week of Academy, friends and family will be invited to attend a final performance & awards ceremony to celebrate our students!

MUSICAL THEATRE PRE-K-1ST

Musical theatre is one of the most fun and popular forms of theatre today! In this class, students will learn skills that apply to all areas of musical theatre with focus on vocal technique, acting through song, and basic principles of stage performance. This course will use both modern and classical musicals to teach students to have fun on stage and feel confident in musical performances!

MUSICAL THEATRE 2ND-5TH

MUSICAL THEATRE 6TH-12TH

PLAYING WITH PROPS 6TH-ADULT

This hands-on course introduces students to the art of props design for stage productions. Learn the basics of creating, sourcing, and adapting props to support storytelling in theater. Topics include prop construction techniques, materials, safety, collaboration with directors and designers, and how to bring a script to life through objects. No prior experience needed—ideal for anyone curious about the creative world behind the scenes.

CHARACTER CREATION & STORYTELLING 3RD-ADULT

In this class we’ll discuss aspects of character design and storytelling used in visual arts like animation and comic books/graphic novels. Students will be asked to create a character using these aspects and tell a short story with that character in a medium of their choosing. They will be encouraged to collaborate, give and receive criticism with their fellow students, and discuss established examples of these elements and how they are used to communicate character role and intent to an audience.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE 6TH-ADULT

This class explores musical styles for students wanting to learn vocal performance to improve technique, character, and confidence. Students will create a performance-ready songbook, featuring their chosen songs and assigned pieces. The semester will culminate in a showcase performance. The vocal class aims to increase students’ confidence and passion for singing on stage.

IMPROV 6TH-12TH

Looking to develop your acting skills without a script? Our Improv 6th-12th class is designed to help students of all levels become quick-thinking, confident performers. In this class, we focus on short-form improv, where you’ll create scenes on the spot, all while learning the fundamentals of improvisation.

Through fun games, engaging activities, and group discussions, you’ll discover how and why improv works, helping you build the skills needed to think on your feet and perform confidently. Not only will you learn a valuable new skill, but you’ll also feel more comfortable in front of an audience—whether on stage or in everyday life.

Perfect for anyone looking to boost their creativity, teamwork, and stage presence, this class is a great way to have fun while building lifelong skills. Join us and start your improv journey today!

STAGE MAKE-UP 5TH-ADULT

Students will learn how to safely and effectively apply makeup to themselves and others. The class will begin with the basics of application, shadow, highlight, color etc. and then will progress into more advanced techniques like old age, fantasy, cuts and bruises, beard creation and more.

*SUPPLY FEE

HIGH SCHOOL ACTING 9TH-12TH

Whether you’re just getting started or returning to acting after a break, our Acting 9th-12th class is perfect for beginners through intermediate students. This comprehensive course covers all the stage basics and performance techniques you’ll need to succeed.

In this class, you’ll explore key aspects of acting, including movement, memorization, character development, and more. Through hands-on exercises and guided instruction, you’ll build a strong foundation in acting, improve your performance skills, and gain confidence both on and off stage.

Ideal for students who are continuing their education or looking to take the next step in their acting journey, this class offers something for everyone. Start your path to becoming a more skilled and confident actor today!

Puppetry 3RD-ADULT

This class will focus on puppetry from the ground up, from concept to creation to a final performance. Students will learn not only how to bring puppet characters to life through voice and physicality, but also different methods of construction, control, and character development.

*SUPPLY FEE

PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN INTRO TO THEATRE

A beginning course that introduces young artists to many different avenues of theatre including but not limited to; acting, directing, playwriting, and costuming.

STAGE COMBAT 9TH-ADULT

A beginner stage combat course centered towards teaching students safe, unarmed combat. Students will learn to create the illusion of violence by using technique, communication, and consent focusing on moves like: slaps, punches, falls, reactions, etc, while also calling attention to partner trust, spacing, and overall story-telling. Techniques in this class are inspired from the Society Of American Fight Directors (SAFD). No previous experience is required for this course.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTING 6TH-8TH

This course introduces students to basic acting techniques and games while learning to explore their imaginations. Actors will gain a general appreciation for acting and live performance by learning theatre techniques and vocabulary through studying monologues and scenes. They will then begin basic script analysis and character development and apply these principles towards a showcase performance!

ACTING FOR FILM

Students will explore the differences between stage acting and film acting while developing skills in emotional authenticity, listening, and subtle performance. Throughout the course, students will rehearse and film scenes and monologues, receive constructive feedback, and build confidence in a supportive and creative environment. Students will learn to operate camera equipment, film their own auditions/scenes, and learn to piece together a film acting reel.

COSTUMES & QUICK CHANGES 6TH-ADULT

In this twelve week costume design course, students will embark on a journey of exploration and creation. We’ll delve into the world of fabrics, learning their unique properties and applications. Together, we’ll uncover the power of costume in character development and discover how to source unique pieces through thrifting. Students will also explore the psychological impact of colors and patterns in design. By the end of the course, students will have created a personalized tote bag for a character of their own design, honing their sewing skills and gaining hands on experience with sewing machines and applique techniques.

PAINT AND PRECISION

(3rd grade and up) A hands-on course in visual arts and stage design. Focusing on drawing, drafting, and set painting; with introductory learning in set painting techniques, and the basics of hand and power tools in set construction. They will then use their new-found skills in the practical application of creating the sets for the performance showcase. Students should be prepared for physical activity such as climbing ladders. Please have closed toe shoes, and expect to get messy with paint!

ELEMENTARY ACTING K-2nd

This class gets students comfortable on stage. We explore theatre basics: character, voice, memorization and confidence. Students will take part in a variety of acting and improv exercises to find students’ strengths and weaknesses, then work on honing those skills by working on a short play that will be presented at the end of semester showcase. *Students must be able to read. Children who are unable to read are encouraged to take Intro to Theatre or Musical Theatre.

ELEMENTARY ACTING 2

This class is designed to be a continuation of Elementary Acting 1. Students will dive deeper into character development, partner work, and strengthening and developing their voice.
*Students must have taken 2 or more semesters of Elementary Acting.

VOICE ACTING 6TH-ADULT

This is a class diving into the art of Voice Acting! The first few weeks we will be learning how to do vocal exercises along with proper Mic Etiquette, while including other acting musts in the booth, then we will switch over to working on a project! This class will be a fun learning experience and allow you to put your skills to the test with a group project that will be presented at the end of the semester!

*Students must have a basic knowledge of script analysis.

ELEMENTARY ACTING 3RD-5TH

*Students must be able to read. Children who are unable to read are encouraged to take Intro to Theatre or Musical Theatre!

ACTING FOR ADULTS

(Ages 18 and up) Have you ever thought it would be fun to be on stage, but you just don’t know where to start? Or maybe you have a child that’s having all the fun on stage and you want to join the fun? Then this is the class for you! This class is intended to be a fun introductory acting class for actors that don’t quite fit the age requirements of our younger classes. We will explore topics like script analysis, finding your voice, character development, and much more!

STAGE CRAFT - SIGHTS AND SOUND 6th-adult

Did you ever watch a show without any light, or listen to a musical with no sound? Probably not, and that’s because a lighting technician lit the stage with lights, a sound technician plugged in the microphones, and you probably missed the stage crew changing the set over in the blackout as well. This class will teach students how all that theatre magic works and will focus on learning the basics of Sound, Light and backstage tech for live performances. Students will get hands-on experience with a variety of sound and lighting equipment, as well as practical stagehand experience. Students will ultimately showcase what they have learned by running lights, sound and backstage crew for multiple showcase presentations at the end of the semester.

Scholarships

Art is for everyone. The Alban Arts Academy is happy to provide Scholarships for families that may need them!

Both full and partial scholarships will be awarded and will only apply to one class. Each semester the scholarship program will reopen and applicants must reapply each semester.

Scholarships will be awarded August 17th and all forms must be submitted by August 14th to qualify.