twv academy

TWV Academy offers both Fall and Spring semesters, with each session running for eight weeks. Every semester culminates in a public showcase, giving Academy artists the opportunity to share their work with friends, family, and the wider community while celebrating the skills, creativity, and collaboration developed throughout the semester.

Fall 2026 Class Offerings

Costume Design

Instructor: Bailey Heffernan
Ages 9+

Students will learn the fundamentals of costuming and sewing, including color theory taking measurements, and analyzıng characters to determine costume needs. Students will have an opportunity to create their own costume designs, learn how to use a sewing machine, build a costume piece, and costume an actor for the final showcase!

Stage Makeup

Instructor: Josephine Jarrett
Ages 9+

Explore the world of Theatrical Stage Makeup! Learn the secrets behind theatrical makeup, from basic beauty and corrective makeup to aging, character looks, and simple special effects. Over 8 weeks, students will design and apply complete stage-ready makeup looks, understand how makeup works under bright lights, and build characters using color, shape, and texture. Expect lots of hands-on practice, creative experimentation, and dramatic before-and-after transformations!

Acting: 6th-8th Grade

Instructor: Mariah Plante

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 ensemble driven games, exercises and rehearsals designed to teach basic script analysis and character development as we work together to produce and perform a short play!

Acting: 9th-12th Grade

Instructor: Mariah Plante

Take your acting skills to the next level! This class is designed for high school students who want to grow as performers, sharpen their technique, and build confidence on stage. Whether preparing for auditions, school shows, or just wanting to dive deeper into theatre, this class will give students the tools they need to shine.

Acting for Adults: Monologue & Scene Study

Instructor: Mariah Plante
Ages 18+

Whether you’re preparing for auditions, returning to the stage, or determined to strengthen your performance technique, TWVA Acting Class provides professional-level training designed to challenge and inspire. Actors will sharpen their craft through rigorous exercises in voice, movement, and character work, while exploring advanced scene study and audition preparation. This class is ideal for performers who are serious about refining their skills, conditioning their instrument, and growing as artists in a supportive environment.

Giant Puppetry & Mask Making

Instructor: Ariana Mooney
Ages 9+

In this class, students will learn about puppet creation and manipulation by making their own giant monster rod puppets! Each student will have the opportunity to bring their weirdest visions to life with a variety of tools, materials, and techniques that they learn about. In the final showcase, the students will get to show off their puppet-making and puppeteering skills by doing a short dance with their monsters.

Props Design

Instructor: Ariana Mooney
Ages 9+

In this class, students will have the opportunity to explore various prop-making techniques to make stage-food! They will learn about techniques and materials such as paper mache, sculpting, and painting, as well as training their artistic eye to recognize the potential in random objects to be used for crafting. The final showcase for this class will be presented as a great feast prepared by the students, displaying their skill, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Scenic Design

Instructor: Ariana Mooney
Ages 9+

In this class, students will learn basic scene painting techniques, as well as some basic scenic design and prop concepts. With these tools, they will then create a miniature scene! Each student will get to create their own miniature room that will be combined with the others to build a collaborative house. This house will be displayed during the final showcase, showing their creativity, skill, and resourcefulness.

Jr. Musical Theatre: Movement + Song

Instructors: Bailey Heffernan and Josephine Jarrett
Ages 7-18

Build confidence as a musical theatre performer through the combined study of singing, movement, and storytelling. Students will explore vocal technique, choreography, musicality, character, and ensemble work while learning how to connect movement and song to create dynamic, expressive performances.

Adult Musical Theatre: Movement + Song

Instructors: Bailey Heffernan and Josephine Jarrett
Ages 18+

Designed for adult performers of all experience levels, this class combines singing, movement, and storytelling in a supportive ensemble setting. Participants will explore vocal technique, choreography, musicality, character, and ensemble work while building the skills and confidence to bring a musical theatre performance to life.

Contact

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theatrewestvirginiaacademy for updates about our program!

For questions about group classes, private lessons and performance opportunities please contact Mariah Plante at twvacademy@gmail.com.