Arden Drama School 2023/24
Where kids come to be creative and collaborative, and perform onstage! With programming including Play In a Day and classes in Acting and Musical Theatre, there is something for everyone!
Financial aid available! Contact hcordes@ardentheatre.org for more information.


PLAY IN A DAY (for Grades K-5)
In the Arden’s award winning class (Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly: Kids Classes) participants work together to create an original play. Each Play in a Day is as unique as the group of participants, so take one or all – the story and characters are always new!
All Play in a Days are for Grades K-5 and are held from 9am-5pm for $75. Register with the links below:
Tuesday, November 7 (Election Day) – REGISTER
Wednesday, December 27 (Winter Break) – REGISTER
Thursday, December 28 (Winter Break) – REGISTER
Friday, December 29 (Winter Break) – REGISTER
Monday, January 15 (Martin Luther King Day) – REGISTER
Monday, February 19 (President’s Day) – REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
BOOKWORMS (for kids ages 2-4 and their caregivers)
Each week in Bookworms, we’ll read a different book together and use theatre games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life! Parents, Grandparents, and caregivers are all invited, but not required, to participate. Selected books range from classics to popular new picture books, all exploring themes of kindness, community, collaboration, and celebrating being uniquely YOU!
All Bookworms are for kids ages 2-4 and are held from 10am to 10:45am. Register for all four classes for $60 or individually for $18 per session:
Saturday, February 10 – REGISTER
Saturday, February 17 – REGISTER
Saturday, February 24 – REGISTER
Saturday, March 2 – REGISTER
All four classes – REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
EIGHT-WEEK CLASSES FOR GRADES K-2
January 13, 2024 – March 2, 2024
MUSICAL THEATRE K-2
Using beloved music from Disney and Broadway classics, participants will learn to sing and use movement to bring a song to life. On the last day of class they will share what they’ve learned with family and friends during a performance in the Arden’s Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre.
MUSICAL THEATRE K-2
Saturdays, 10am – 11:30am
Grades: K – 2
Cost: 8 classes/$205
REGISTER
ACTING K-2
Participants will learn the basics of acting and storytelling through up-on-your-feet ensemble exercises that activate their actor tools. Using favorite story book characters, they will create their own mini play to be presented at the end of the session in the Arden’s Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre.
ACTING K-2
Saturdays, 12pm – 1:30pm
Grades: K – 2
Cost: 8 classes/$205
REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
EIGHT-WEEK CLASSES FOR GRADES 3-5
January 13, 2024 – March 2, 2024
ACTING 3-5
Students will use scripts to learn the fundamental skills of acting with a special focus on using their bodies, voices, and imaginations. On the last day of class, parents and friends are invited to see their play presented in the Arden’s Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre.
ACTING 3-5
Saturdays, 10am – 12pm
Age: Grades 3 – 5
Cost: 8 classes/$205
REGISTER
MUSICAL THEATRE 3-5
Students will learn the fundamentals of musical theatre by performing group songs, complete with choreography, from Broadway and Disney. On the last day of class, family and friends are invited to see a musical revue presented in the Arden’s Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre.
MUSICAL THEATRE 3-5
Saturdays, 12pm – 2pm
Age: Grades 3 – 5
Cost: 8 classes/$205
REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
EIGHT-WEEK CLASSES FOR GRADES 6-8
January 13, 2024 – March 2, 2024
ACTING 6-8: SHAKESPEARE
Participants explore Shakespeare’s plays and characters through voice work, movement, stage combat, monologues, and scenes. Students will gain confidence in understanding, interpreting, and performing both comedy and tragedy through the work of the Bard. The class will culminate in a showcase performance for family and friends.
ACTING 6-8: SHAKESPEARE
Saturdays, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Age: Grades 6 – 8
Cost: $205
REGISTER
MUSICAL THEATRE 6-8: FUNDAMENTALS
Work with a music director to learn about key vocal techniques used by professional performers. You will be guided through learning a new song, how to project character and point of view, and how to gain confidence singing in front of an audience. You will learn group numbers, trios, or duets in preparation for a final musical showcase for family and friends on the last day of class.
MUSICAL THEATRE 6-8: FUNDAMENTALS
Saturdays, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Ages: Grades 6-8
Cost: $205
REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
EIGHT-WEEK CLASSES FOR GRADES 9-12
January 13, 2024 – March 2, 2024
ACTING 9-12: PROCESS & PERFORMANCE
Use scenes and monologues from classic and contemporary work to explore acting objectives and physical and vocal techniques to bring a character to life. Students will learn tools and tactics to create specific, well-rounded characters; how to shape a dynamic scene or monologue; and the vocabulary of a stage actor. The class will culminate in a showcase performance for family and friends.
ACTING 9-12: PROCESS & PERFORMANCE
Saturdays, 2 – 4pm
Ages: Grades 9 – 12
Cost: $205
REGISTER
Arden Drama School is for everyone.
For questions about special needs, accommodations, or information on financial aid –
Contact Hannah Cordes at hcordes@ardentheatre.org
For questions about programming:
Contact Hannah Cordes
hcordes@ardentheatre.org
For questions about enrollment:
Contact the Box Office at 215.922.1122