IS MY CHILD TOO YOUNG TO START THEATRE CLASSES?
In this short video, Interact Performance Academy’s founder and head instructor, Jami Weckstein, explains to parents how the performing arts can help develop skills and confidence in your child at any age.
Can you tell me more about summer camps 2024 and fall 2024?
In this short video, Interact Performance Academy’s founder and head instructor, Jami Weckstein, explains to parents about the upcoming summer 2024 camps as well as new changes to our fall 2024 class line up! Registration will start April 1st.
WHAT CLASS IS BEST FOR MY CHILD?
In this short video, we offer advice for parents to help navigate which of our various classes offered is the right one for their child. If you still have questions after this video, we would love to help you decide! Email us at info@interactacademy.com
Do I need to have prior theatre experience?
No! The mission and vision of interACT Performance Academy is for all students to grow and learn through a theatre arts lens. Please just bring your creativity, an open mind, and a willingness to try your best. Those are the only pre- requirements for participation in most classes.
Where are you located?
We are located right off Highway 150 at the intersection of Edwardsville-Galena Road and High Street. Our address starting is 7015 High Street, Floyds Knobs, IN.
Where will classes take place?
Classes will take place at 7015 High Street. We have a black box theatre space, multi-purpose room, as well as vocal studios. There is a main lobby for parents to wait for their child during class if you wish. Our building is ADA accessible, including the restroom.
How much does it cost?
Class prices vary dependent on the length of class. Please see our CLASSES page for more information for each class fee. Full class tuition is required at the time of registration. If you need a payment schedule, please contact us in advance. A non-refundable yearly registration fee of $25 per student is due upon enrollment (included in each class fee). This fee covers each academic year - August thru July. Please reach out if you are registering more than one child for a discount code.
What are the dates and time?
There will be two semester long sessions throughout the year (Aug-Dec and Jan-May). Each session will have a different focus to continue your learning for every age/class level, but if you are not able to join us for each one - don’t worry! Limited experience is needed for most classed. Please note that if a class does not have at least 6 students signed up, the class will be canceled. View Schedule
Who are the teachers?
The owner, Jami Weckstein, will be providing theatre instruction and overseeing all curriculum. She is a licensed teacher with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Southern Indiana (Go Eagles!) She has a Master’s of Education from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, as well as an Advanced Master’s for Education Administration from Bank Street College of Education in NYC.
Carol Willman, our musical theatre director, will be leading our early elementary classes, group vocal classes, and assisting in some of our most advanced classes. She has over 30 years of teaching experience, including a Master’s of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Heather Faith, our musical theatre instructor for elementary aged students, is a licensed NAFCS teacher. She has over 10 years experience in musical theatre directing.
Vivian Bulleit, our musical theatre instructor and vocal coach, is a recent college graduate from Loyola University New Orleans, has 12+ years of theatre experience. She has won various theatre awards including during her time at Floyd Central Theatre Arts!
Julie Gross, our technical design instructor, focuses on art techniques. Julie’s favorite art mediums are drawing and painting, where she likes to put a focus on teaching how to draw lines, create highlights, and do shading to capture a realistic 3D effect.
See ABOUT US for more information on all our instructors.
What should I wear?
Loose and comfortable clothing that allows for free movement is recommended. Movement is a key component in every class, including on the floor so please keep this in mind when selecting clothing - you might even get a bit dirty! Shorts under dresses/skirts are required, as well as shoes having some form of straps (no flip flops, boots, or slip on shoes). Please help us protect our dance floors! You may bring ballet or jazz shoes, but it is not required unless you are enrolled in our musical theatre dance classes. Longer hair should be pulled back from the face in some way.
What should I bring to class?
A water bottle should be brought to every class. We recommend having a bag or folder with a pencil included (for grades 1st and up) in order to keep class assigned papers such as scenes, monologues and music that we will work on from week to week. These materials should be brought to EVERY class. We cannot be responsible for the security of any personal property. Please leave valuables at home. We do have a lost in found in our lobby if something is left behind.
NOTE: We have a water bottle refill station, but no water fountain.
What about food?
Students are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottle to every class. Hydration is key for the body and voice. No other food items should be brought into the rehearsal space. There is a water bottle refill station in our lobby for your convenience.
What precautions are in place for COVID-19?
Students may receive a forehead temperature check before entering each class. Masks are recommended when Floyd County is at HIGH RISK as per the CDC guidelines. During HIGH RISK (RED) status, masks will be required for all students and faculty when distancing cannot be achieved. Our facility is cleaned on a regular basis using CDC recommended cleaning products. While CDC recommendations are being followed to the best of our ability, there can be no 100% guarantee without the help of parent involvement. If you, or a close member of your family is feeling ill, please opt to stay home to enhance our classroom safety measures. This goes for any illness, not just COVID-19.
If any federal, state, or local government mandates the closure of our in person classes, then all classes will convene on a virtual platform. This includes teacher illness or inclement weather unless otherwise notified.
Is there a discount for siblings?
The $25 annual fee is only due for each family, not each student. Please reach out to receive a discount code for siblings as this fee is included in each class tuition. This fee is collected each academic year and valid August through July each year.
Do I need a costume?
No. Since we will not be creating a full staged production, no costumes are necessary. If you participate in a performance camp, costumes will be provided unless otherwise notified. A $50 fee will be collected for all students who audition and are accepted into our Winter Musical.
Will there be a final show? (SHARE DAYS)
Our semester long sessions will not culminate in a rehearsed, staged production. Parents/guardians are invited to a SHARE WEEK which will be presented at the LAST CLASS of each semester to show parents what has been learned by the group. This share day demonstrates the process of learning, not a polished production. Sharing may include short scenes, singing selections, group dance scenes, and/or monologue demonstrations. Share dates are listed on our schedule page and will take place at Interact Performance Academy during the last week of classes unless otherwise noted. Limit ONE CAR per family for share day.
If you participate in one of our performance camps or winter musical, there will be specific information about the final show. For example, our 2023 winter musical theatre performance of Leap Day culminated in a fully performed and costumed musical onstage at Wesley Chapel.
Can parents watch class?
Parents are welcome to wait for their child in our main lobby, but we have found students are more willing to participate, focus, and take risks without any watchful eyes. Students need to feel freedom of expression without an audience to build their character as a key component of the rehearsal and learning process. Please see SHARE DAY information above. Follow us on social media to see pictures of the work being completed in class.
Can parents drop off their child?
Yes. Although we recommend parents to stay nearby for our Little and Big Connections classes at least for the first week. However, children should not be left unattended in the main lobby at any time. Parents may leave once students have entered the classroom at their set class time. Since classes are scheduled back to back, we are unable to supervise students once class is dismissed so it is the parent’s responsibility to return with enough time before class ends to greet their child. No students will be allowed to leave the building without an adult (unless grade 4 or older) so pick up must be in the main lobby. If for some reason, you are running late, please call/text 812-250-8773 to notify the teacher. More than one occurrence of this could lead to termination of participation in the session without a refund.
Please note the front door will remain locked for safety if another adult or staff member is not present in the lobby. If you are running late, please call/text for entrance.
Why does my child need to audition if they have taken classes before at interact?
As our enrollment grows, we want to give all new students a fair chance in being included in our most advanced classes. In addition, auditions are a large part of the theatre so the more your child has a chance to audition, the more confident they will be going into school and community theatre to nail that next audition. Audition feedback will be given upon request at a later scheduled time.
What if my child isn’t selected for the class they want?
Unfortunately, we may not be able to accomodate each child in the class in which they wish to participate. Based upon age, ability and auditions, children will be recommended for classes. This does not mean the child may not be able to enter their desired class in the future, but more skills need to be mastered in order to move up. Similar to academics, there are skills needed to attain higher levels of performance skills and our classes and lessons are designed to help your child master those skills based on their individualized progress, not just based upon age. Please trust the expertise of our instructors.
NOTE: If you pay the $25 audition fee, it may be applied to your tuition balance. If you choose not to accept your class placement, the $25 audition fee is non-refundable.
How do I make up a missed class?
We offer the same classes on more than one day each week so you may attend twice the following week to makeup missed work. No additional make up classes will be offered unless a doctor’s note is provided. (No makeup classes are offered during a 4 week trial period or 6 week intensive.)
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, if anyone in your family has been exposed or believes to be exposed, please submit your request in writing to be issued a payment credit. We want everyone to make the safest choices so please follow CDC recommendations, self-quarantine, and join us again in the future.
What is the “cast member” clause?
Please be sure to list your acting class as a conflict, but we understand shows may not be able to accommodate the conflict. Notify us as soon as you are cast in a show if the rehearsal schedule creates conflicts with your class time. The sooner we know, the sooner we can try to accommodate your rehearsal schedule. If we are unable to find alternate class make up times, you will be credited up to TWO classes for a future session.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
If you cancel your paid registration at least one week before the first day of class, we will refund tuition less a $25 reservation charge. If you cancel less than one week before the class begins, no refund will be given.
Because we want all our students to be satisfied with their experience, if you attend the first day of class and decide not to continue, we will refund tuition less a $25 first class charge. After the second class day, no refunds will be given. Any student leaving the program due to discipline problems will not be entitled to a refund.
What if my child needs special accommodations?
Our goal is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. Parents are encouraged to list any specific individual student accommodations needed on the information form to register for classes. As needed, a teacher will contact you to discuss reasonable and respectful accommodations.
Class Schedule and Registration
Ready to sign up? Find upcoming session dates and times based on your child’s interest.