Join us for Pied Piper Theatre's 2026 Holiday Intensive - The Day Before Christmas

The Day Before Christmas is a 60‑minute holiday musical written by Ken Jones (story/book), with Jamey Strawn on music and Christine Jones on lyrics Heuer Publishing+1. It is designed as a comedy‑themed Christmas musical suitable for both children and adults, blending festive cheer with lighthearted chaos.

The show takes place at the North Pole just before Christmas Day. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves, reindeer, forest animals, and even the toys themselves are busy preparing for the biggest night of the year. The team works hard to get the sleigh ready and deliver gifts worldwide — but their plans are disrupted when Jack Frost decides to stop the festivities with a bit of comical chaos and calamity.

(Ages 8 - 16)

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at Metz Middle School from 6:30-8 pm beginning October 6 and ending at Metz on December 10.  We will be off for Thanksgiving.  

Tuesday and Thursday, December 1 and 3 rehearsals will be at the ARTfactory.

Tech week will begin on Monday, December 7 and continue through Tuesday, December 8, Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10.

There will be four ticketed performances on December 11 at 7, December 12 at 10 am and 2 pm and December 13 at 2 pm

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

Instructors: Melanie Terrazas, Director; Savannah Lagana, Music Director and Julianna Gedney, Assistant Director and Stage Manager

Tuition:  $400 ($340 for members)

Do have a love for theatre and acting, but want someplace to hone your craft? This class is for you!

Students will develop the actor’s ability to embody the character in a scene. We will discuss and utilize acting techniques to reach the goal of a deeply real character that the audience can connect to.

Actors will get to perform their scenes in front of an audience at the end of this class.

Ages 15+

Saturday, November 21

7-8:30 pm

Registraton Fee: $28.50

Of course, auditions can be scary and stressful - but all too often actors commit preventable mistakes that keep them from displaying their full potential. This session is designed to help actors of all ages prepare for auditions and avoid these setbacks.

Session participants will discuss a comprehensive list of "what to do" and "what NOT to dos" when auditioning for a theatre production. Things like: the difference between "good confidence" and "bad confidence," how to introduce yourself, interacting with accompanists, choosing literature, etc.

In the end, the more an actor understands the director's expectations and point of view, the more successful they will likely be.

The class will end with volunteers performing their "cuts" for the class for feedback! Interested students should email their cuts to alex@virginiaartfactory.org.

Ages 15+

Saturday, December 12

5-7 pm

Registration Fee: $38

Do have a love for theatre and acting, but want someplace to hone your craft? This class is for you!

Students will develop the actor’s ability to embody the character in a scene. We will discuss and utilize acting techniques to reach the goal of a deeply real character that the audience can connect to.

Actors will get to perform their scenes in front of an audience at the end of this class.

Ages 15+

Fridays 7-8:30 pm

January 8-29

Registraton Fee: $114

Improv is one of the scariest and most exhilrating of the theatre arts, and it's crucial to have a safe space to grow your talents!

This class will introduce and challenge actors to utilize their creativity and expand their skills and adaptability. 

Open to beginners or seasoned performers!

Ages 15+

Saturdays 4-5 pm

January 9-30

Registration Fee: $76

Have you ever wished that you could more smoothly translate musical notation into actual sound? The ability to see a musical line 'on the page' and bring it to life as sound is a wonderful skill that could be in reach for you.

This ability will enable you to learn new melodies and harmony parts without having to rely on recordings. This course is designed to help students build music literacy skills that will enable them to accurately read a piece of music as they could a book or news article.

By understanding the fundamentals of music notation, new worlds of sound will be unlocked for each participant.

Ages 15+

Sundays 2-3 pm

January 10 - February 14

Registration Fee: $114

"Its our time, breathe it in: worlds to change and worlds to win." (Merrily We Roll Along)

In this course we will examine how certain influential Broadway's shows can reveal a deeper understanding an appreciation of our nation's history. In effect, we will study the cultural history of the US by examining our musical theatre.

Like it or not, Broadway has been and continues to be one of America's most impactful cultural engines. Shows like "Oklahoma," "Porgy and Bess", "Rent", "Hamilton," and even "Shrek" have not only shaped our culture, but also influenced storytelling around the world. Phrases like: "Hakuna Matatta" or "A person's a person no matter how small," have cultural resonance in multiple continents.

Hopefully, course participants will gain a deeper appreciation for not only these great shows, but also our great country, warts and all!

Ages 15+

Sundays 3:30-4:30

January 10 - February 14

Registration Fee: $114

Improv is one of the scariest and most exhilrating of the theatre arts, and it's crucial to have a safe space to grow your talents!

This class will introduce and challenge actors to utilize their creativity and expand their skills and adaptability. 

Open to beginners or seasoned performers!

Please note that there will be no class on 2/20!!

Ages 15+

Saturdays 1-2 pm

February 6-27

Registration Fee: $57