Join us for Pied Piper Theatre's 2026 Devised Intensive - Medusa & Circe:  an Odyssey

Medusa & Circe:  An Odyssey is this year's devised piece directed once again, by Alex Mills and Ashton Schaffer.  This production will bring the wonders and trials of Greek mythology to life through the imaginations of its young performers.  Filled with creativity, humor and heart, this collaborative adventure invites audiences to experience timeless myths reimagined through the voices of a new generation.

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursday's from 5:30-7:30 pm beginning March 17.  There will be no rehearsals on Marich 31 or April 2.

Tech week will begin on Monday, May 11 and run May 11, May 12, May 13 and 14.

There will be three ticketed performances on May 15, 16 and 17 in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory.

(Ages 8 - 16)

What is a devised theatrical piece?  Devising theatre is a powerful and engaging genre that encourages young students to take active role in the creative process.  Our students will use the description above as inspiration to create an original production from the ground up.

Class members will receive two complimentary tickets to be used on the performance of their choice.

Instructors: Alex Mills and Ashton Shaffer.

Tuition: $375 Register, Members Tuition $318.75 (Enrollment is limited)

Turn your doodles into dynamic heroes and villains!

This intensive, one-off workshop is designed for young artists who want to level up their drawing skills and learn the secrets behind professional character design.

In this session, we’ll dive into the core mechanics of cartooning used by animators and comic book artists. Students will move beyond "flat" drawings by learning how to use 3D construction shapes, exaggerated expressions, and action lines.

Whether you love the style of Manga, Marvel, or Disney, you’ll learn the universal techniques needed to bring your unique ideas to life on the canvas.

Ages 8-14

Saturday, April 25th

3-5 pm

Registration Fee: $38     Supply Fee: $5

Join us for a one-off workshop that introduces the basics of popular styles of Latin Dance. 

Students will explore Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue and practice hearing the difference in these musical styles. Recognizing the music will help students use the movement being called to dance!

Dancers of any level are welcome to attend this workshop!

Ages 15+

Sunday, May 3rd

10:30 am - 12 pm

Registration Fee: $42

Do you love little plushes and figures, but wish you could make your own cute characters? Step into a world of fluffy wool and explore needlefelting!

Through this workshop, you’ll learn about basic techniques used in 3D needlefelting, and will get hands on experience using all the tools involved. Just in time for Mother's Day,  you will leave with a cute and functional friend: a ladybug magnet.

All materials will be provided, just bring a hint of extra patience!

Ages 18+

Sunday, May 3rd

1-4 pm

Registration Fee: $57       Supply Fee: $5

2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than this free wellness class! This 4-week series will focus on the fundamental skillset of drawing letters and characters.

Looking at the work of graffiti artists from around the globe, we’ll analyze the different styles and methods used by the masters of this artform.

As opposed to sketch books, graffiti artists draw in ‘blackbooks’ which will be the sole focus of this course.

Feel free to bring your favorite pens or pencils - the blackbooks will be provided!

Ages 16+

Tuesdays 6-8 pm

May 5-26

Registration Fee: FREE!!

This free wellness class is brought to you in partnership with UVA Health.

Interested in Watercolors, but afraid to take a class for fear of being out of your depth? Local artist Mike Flynn has designed a course perfect for the absolute beginner in watercolors!

Over the course of four classes you will be introduced to the tools of the trade. Mike will demonstrate basic techniques, and show you how to design with values, shapes and details.

Students may use their own photos to create a landscape painting , with help from Mike, or a reference can be provided.

Please note that supplies (aside from paper) will not be included in this class. The list of supplies to be purchased can be found here.

Ages 16+

Wednesdays 10:30 am - 1 pm

May 6-27

Registration Fee: $190     Paper Fee: $5

This class is designed for younger students ages 5-8 to begin to learn the fundamentals of acting such as storytelling, creative movement, vocalization, and confidence in front of a group.

The goal of this class is for students to learn these skills in a way that is fun and enjoyable, while also creating a safe environment for students to feel like they can explore. In order to accomplish this, the class is designed with emphasis on different activities and games as opposed to a singular performance.

We will utilize familiar and classic children’s stories, such as Peter Rabbit, The Rainbow Fish, The Three Little Pigs, etc. to build on these skills. Using known stories allows the children to learn how to be creative while still offering a framework for them to follow. For example, if the story we were looking at that day was The Three Little Pigs, we might explore how to act as a pig vs wolf by changing how we move and use our voices, talk about breath support by “blowing down the houses”, and of course act out the story using all of those elements.

In addition to stories we will also play games that encourage creativity and teamwork.  These help students grow an awareness of different ways they can move their bodies, as well as strengthens their listening skills. By the end of the class your youngster is guaranteed to have a new appreciation for theatre, and will be ready for more!

Wednesdays 4:30-5:30

May 6-27

Class Fee: $76

The Art of Writing: Mother Nature’s Revenge is a four-week Eco-Horror themed writing course. The world is on fire, and it only seems to be getting worse by the day.

With climate anxiety at an all-time high, it can help to channel it into writing. In this course, we’ll explore and define the genre of Eco-Horror, from sci-fi horror like Annihilation to fantasy like The Hallow, not just through writing but also discussing our favorite pop cultural examples.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of fresh writing, peer feedback, and practical tools to continue your writing journey beyond the workshop.

Come ready to write, share, and grow.

This workshop is open to writers of all levels and genres.

Ages 15+

Fridays 6-8 pm

May 8-29

Registration Fee: $152