Explore the beautiful fluidity and transparency of watercolor. Beginners will learn basic tools and techniques. Experienced students will explore new methods, materials, and styles. This class is offered throughout the year with a different approach presented in each session.  A list of supplies can be found on the Classes and Camps page, or by clicking here. Watercolor paper will be provided by the instructor.

For ages 15 & up.

Instructor: Michele Frantz

Tuition: $190  Supply Fee: $5

Audition Workshop Intensive (Ages 8–18)

Sharpen your skills. Own the room. Book the role. 

Join us for a high-energy, full-day Audition Workshop Intensive designed to help young performers build confidence, technique, and professionalism in the audition room. Led by industry professionals, this workshop is ideal for students preparing for auditions in theatre, film, or conservatory training.

 Morning Rotations 9:30-12:00

Students will rotate through three focused sessions in Acting, Voice, and Dance, including:

      •     How to select strong, age-appropriate monologues and songs

      •     Techniques for bringing material to life with clarity, authenticity, and impact

      •     What to do (and not to do) in an audition room

      •     A mock dance audition that focuses on storytelling, style, and technique

 Lunch Break (please bring a packed lunch) 12-12:30

 Afternoon Rotations + Showcase Prep 12:30-3:30

In the afternoon, students return to each discipline for a second round of training and individualized coaching. They will receive targeted feedback on their chosen monologues and songs, including tips on interpretation, delivery, and how to make bold, personal choices that stand out in auditions.

 End-of-Day Showcase

The workshop concludes with a showcase performance where students will present their selected monologues and song choices. This is a safe, supportive space to apply what they’ve learned and gain valuable, constructive insight.

Important Note:

To participate fully and benefit from personalized coaching, students must bring at least two prepared monologues and two prepared contrasting songs. This material will be used throughout the day for feedback, refinement, and performance practice. Please bring printed music for the prepared songs, and printed copies of both monologues!!

Whether you’re new to auditioning or ready for your next big role, this workshop will give you the tools to walk into any audition with confidence and clarity.   

Do you have a young actor yearning to explore the world of theatre? In this class, instructor Shelby Mejia will guide students through theatre basics and techniques that they can either carry with them as they advance in the craft, or even use in their day to day lives. This exploration will be done using theatre games, scene work, improvisation practice, character development, and storytelling techniques.

Ages 8-14

Thursdays 5:30-7pm

Instructor: Shelby Mejia

Tuition: $114

17 Syllables of Poetic Truth: A Haiku Workshop with Kim B. Miller

Sunday, September 21, 1-3 pm (Ticketed Gallery Event – ARTfactory Gallery, 1st floor)Registration fee: $30

Haiku and senryu, two tiny but mighty forms of Japanese poetry, are like little poetic swords: short, sharp, and full of meaning! In this workshop, we’re inviting poets, writers and non-writers to stretch their creative muscles and explore new ways to express themselves.

You might’ve heard of haiku (hello, 5-7-5), but writing one is a whole different story. Senryu, that’s haiku’s more human-centered cousin that most people haven’t even met yet.

Once writers discover the joy of packing powerful, heartfelt, or even funny thoughts into just a few lines, they’re hooked. It’s like unlocking a superpower and once they do, there’s no stopping the poetry from flowing!

About Kim B MillerKim B Miller is a multi-disciplinary performing artist with proficiency in several forms of expression. Kim is proud to be an alumna of two esteemed institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology, (NY) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Retail Management, and Northern Virginia Community College, (Woodbridge Campus) where she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology. Both schools played a pivotal role in shaping her educational and professional path, providing a solid foundation for her success.

A former telecommunications and marketing executive, Kim followed her calling to become a performing artist. Kim is Prince William County, Manassas & Manassas Park, VA Poet Laureate Emerita. She is the (first and only) Black Poet Laureate for that region. Her poems have been published in African Voices magazine, an international haiku anthology, Washington City Paper (DC newspaper), Prince George’s Community College Literary & Arts Magazine and several books, websites and anthologies. She is a formidable spoken word poet, captivating audiences with her bold words and sparking change through her passionate delivery.

Kim is a dynamic speaker known for fostering growth and inspiration. She served as the keynote Northern Virginia Community College, for their S.E.AL. Awards in April 2025 and for the 2024 Women Impact Virginia Summit. She was also the keynote at the 2023 Rappahannock Writer’s Conference at Germanna Community College and she spoke at the 2023 Journal of Curriculum Theorizing Annual Conference in Dayton, Ohio.

She has been awarded Haikuist of the Year at the DMV Renaissance Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and received the Vivien H. Hansbury Award for her pioneering contributions to women in the creative arts. Additionally, Kim earned the DMV Best Business Award in the Arts & Entertainment category in both 2021 and 2023. Kim was the 2019 Southern Fried Haiku Champion. Kim was named the 2025 Best of Prince William Author of the Year by InsideNoVa.

Kim is also a highly sought-after facilitator and host. As a facilitator, Kim leads engaging and impactful workshops. She taught online haiku classes: one for Google and another that drew her largest audience of 1,800 students. She facilitated a haiku class in person at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and Shenandoah University in Virginia.

As the author of several books, her words continue to resonate deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impact. Her 2 new haiku books were recently released: Brooklyn Flavored Haiku & 17 Syllables of Poetic Ammo.

The Land of Forgotten Toys: A Christmas Musical

A Pied Piper Theatre Intensive

Music and Lyrics by Dylan MarcAurele

Book and Lyrics by Jennifer Enchin and Jaclyn Enchin

Additional lyrics by Mike Ross

Story and Characters by Larry Little

The Land of Forgotten Toys follows Grace, a brilliant young woman with big dreams and a passion for astronomy, who is stuck at a dead-end job at a toy store three days before Christmas. When she is transported to the Land of Forgotten Toys, everything changes. Christmas is in trouble—and it’s up to Grace and her rag-tag crew of forgotten and broken toys to save it!

Directed by: Vince Worthington

Music Direction: Shelby Mejia

Stage Manager: Jules Gedney

Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting October 14th from 5:30-7:30pm at Baldwin Elementary School

NO REHEARSALS ON 11/25 or 11/27 FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK

Tech Week Rehearsals: Monday, December 8-Wednesday, December 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the ARTfactory

Performances: Thursday, December 11, Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13 at 7pm; Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 at 2 pm at the ARTfactory

Every actor who registers will have a part in the show. Auditions will be held the first class to decide parts. Attendance is an important part of putting together a successful show. All young actors are required to attend all tech rehearsals and performances. 

Cast of Characters

Grace, 17 years old, bright, committed, driven. Loves Astronomy but is stuck in a dead-end job at SheTOYgan. (A3-D#5, belter)

Nikki, 19 years old, loves Christmas, and works with Grace at SheTOYgan. A ray of sunshine personified. (A3-E5, belter or mix)Schmedrick, an awkward, anxious, and scatterbrained elf. Dreams of being a repairman. (D3-G4)

Charlotte/Charlotta:

Charlotte, Grace’s aunt, begrudgingly runs SheTOYgan, but dreams of giving it up for a “real career.” (G#3-B4)

Charlotta, Santa’s younger sister. Devious, cunning, and ready to make a profit on Christmas.

Santa (and Customer, Icicle Giant, Dad), Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas himself.Elf 1 (and Customer), Charlotta’s scheming henchmen.

Elf 2 (and Customer), Charlotta’s scheming henchmen.

Queen of The Northern Sky (and Customer, Mom), human embodiment of the constellation Cassiopeia. Rules over The Land of Forgotten Toys.

Karaoke (and Customer), female. Lives to inspire with music, has a lot of charisma. (Db4-Db5, belter)

Fun Oven Supreme (and Customer), female.

Northern-mother type. (Bb3-Db5)

Barbara (and Customer) female. Classic looking Barbie Doll with a tough contemporary edge. (A3-Db5, gentle mix)

Trivia (and Customer), male. A bit of a know-it-all. (C3-D4; if a tenor, higher harmonies in ensemble moments)

Game Dude (and Customer) male. Fun, party-time jock, lives for the thrill. (C4-A4 if child actor with unchanged voice; if a tenor, higher harmonies and alternate solo notes provided)

Taxi Cab (and Customer), male. Smart, and a bit sassy.

Customers, various ages, frantically trying to nab the best gift three days before Christmas at SheTOYgan.

In the scene study class, actors will take specific scenes from movies, television, or plays and apply exercises and techniques to create believable characters and performances. Actors will work with the instructor to build on foundational skills and receive feedback to improve their craft.  The class will conclude with a mini presentation of scenes and/or monologues for friends and family on the last day of class. 

Ages: 8-14

Mondays 5:30-7pm

Instructor: Shelby Mejia

Tuition:  $114  Script Fee: $5

Join artist Michele Frantz for a 5 lesson session in acrylic painting!  Versatile and forgiving, acrylic paints may be manipulated with a wide array of techniques, applied to many different surfaces, and modified with various additives.

Students new to acrylics will learn introductory basics; experienced students will improve their skills and explore new directions. Class is offered throughout the year with a different approach presented in each session. Click here for a list of supplies. Canvases and boards will be provided by the instructor.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO CLASS 11/11!

For ages 15 & up.

Instructor: Michele Frantz

Tuition: $152 Canvas Fee: $5

In the scene study class, actors will take specific scenes from movies, television, or plays and apply exercises and techniques to create believable characters and performances. Actors will work with the instructor to build on foundational skills and receive feedback to improve their craft.  The class will conclude with a mini presentation of scenes and/or monologues for friends and family on the last day of class. 

Ages 13-18

Thursdays 5:30-7pm

Instructor: Shelby Mejia

Tuition:  $114  Script Fee: $5