Marin
BKT MASTERCLASS WEEK
Featuring Broadway performer, JARED GERTNER!
April 13th-18th​
At The Playhouse in San Anselmo
Celebrate 5 amazing years of Backyard Kids’ Theater with an unforgettable week of fun and growth! This high-energy intensive will level up your acting, singing, dance, and stage combat skills, plus a parent's night out and PJ party for the kids, and a special Broadway masterclass with Broadway's Jared Gertner. Train hard, celebrate big, and make memories you won’t forget!
​
​Pricing & Registration
-
Full Week Package: $385 - Registration open now!
-
Individual Classes: $50-$85 each - Registration opens Tuesday, March 3rd @ 12pm
-
Parent's Night Out / BKT PJ Party (Not included in Package): $45/child; $75/families w/ 2+ kids
-
Saturday Masterclass: $125
-
Sibling discounts and scholarships! Financial aid request form can be found at the bottom of this page.
​Daily Schedule & Class Descriptions
Monday – Vocal Performance & Demystifying Role Placement
April 13th, 2026
-
Grades 2nd-5th: 4pm – 5:30pm
-
Grades 6th-12th: 6pm – 7:30pm
Students will perform a prepared song and receive one-on-one feedback from Alexis Duermeyer and Chip Colvin. They’ll build vocal technique, strengthen storytelling through song, learn from their peers, and gain insider insight into how casting decisions are made “behind the table” during role placement.
Individual Class Price: $65​
Tuesday ​​– Stage Combat
April 14th, 2026
-
Grades 3rd-7th: 4pm – 5:pm​
-
Grades 8th-12th: 5:30pm-6:30pm
YOUTH CLASS: Introduction to Stage Combat - Unarmed
Learn how to safely perform unarmed fight choreography for the stage! Under the guidance of certified teacher Dani O'Dea, students will learn the basics of stage combat techniques including safety, partnering, and physical storytelling. This will be a fun and physical class, full of partner and ensemble work, culminating in a short piece of group choreography.
TEEN CLASS: Introduction to Stage Combat - Broadsword
Learn how to safely perform broadsword fight choreography for the stage! Using training broadswords under the guidance of certified teacher Dani O'Dea, students will learn the basics of broadsword stage combat techniques including safety, partnering, parts of the sword, and footwork. This will be a fun and physical class, full of partner and ensemble work, culminating in a short piece of group choreography.
Individual Class Price: $65
​
​
​
Wednesday – Broadway Dance
April 15th, 2026
-
Grades 2nd-5th: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
-
Grades 6th-12th: 5pm – 6:15pm
Learn Broadway-style choreography from our very own Anna Vorperian while focusing on performance, musicality, and confidence. Classes are tailored by age group.
Individual Class Price: $50
​
Wednesday – Broadway Dance - Moms and Dads Take Center Stage!
April 15th, 2026
​6:30pm – 8:30pm
It’s mom and dad's turn to take the spotlight! Sip champagne, learn a high-energy Broadway number (or two!) with Alexis Duermeyer, and rehearse in a fun, supportive environment. After the Masterclass on Saturday, surprise your kids with a show-stopping performance they’ll never forget. No experience needed — just bring your courage and get ready for a night of unforgettable fun! *Saturday performance is optional.*
Adult Class Price: $65
​​​​
Thursday – Improv 101
April 16th, 2026
4pm – 5:30pm
​This class will be a fun-filled, hands-on intro to improv led by Alexis. Learn the fundamentals of improv through games and exercises to build confidence, quick thinking, and creativity.​
Individual Class Price: $50
​​​​
Friday – Parent's Night Off / BKT PJ Party​
April 17th, 2026
5pm - 8pm
Ages: 7+
Need a few kid-free hours? We’ve got you covered. Give your kids an opportunity to hang out with BKT Staff and their fellow thespians in a social setting! Pizza and drinks will be provided. To get everyone excited for our summer production, we will be screening the movie Once Upon a Mattress!​
Individual price (Not included in Package): $45/child; $75/families with 2+ kids
*At least 1 child in the family must be a BKT participant.*​​
​
Saturday – Broadway Masterclass with Jared
April 18, 2026
11am – 1pm
​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
Join us for an unforgettable Master Class with Broadway’s Jared Gertner, whose professional credits include The Book of Mormon on Broadway and at The West End and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway.
Step into the room with one of Broadway’s brightest talents for an exclusive, high-energy session designed to inspire, challenge, and elevate performers of all levels. Jared will share insights from his professional journey, answer your burning questions in a live Q&A, and work one-on-one with a select group of students on vocal technique, storytelling, and performance. While registering does not guarantee the opportunity to present material, every participant will gain invaluable knowledge by watching Jared coach selected students in real time. Learn what it takes to command the stage, refine your vocal performance, and bring authenticity and confidence to every audition and role. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, sharpening your skills, or simply looking to be inspired, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from a Broadway pro.
Individual Class Price: $125​
*Price admits 1 child and 1 parent*
INSTRUCTOR BIO: DANI O'DEA has worked as a Fight Director and Stage Combat Instructor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, and more. She also works as a teaching artist in theaters and schools across the Bay Area. Dani holds a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Experimental Theatre Wing, graduating with a focus in stage combat and physical/devised theatre. While studying and working in NYC, she apprenticed under award-winning Fight Master and former President of the Society of American Fight Directors, J. David Brimmer. As his associate, Dani worked on countless Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Dani also worked in Motion Capture at 2K Games for 10 years, both as a stunt performer and Producer. During her time there she worked with such actors as Idris Elba, Rosario Dawson, Michael B Jordan, athletes such as Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Scottie Pippin, and musical artist J. Cole.
SUMMER REGISTRATION
Open Now!​
Kids will learn an entire show in one week! They will meet daily for a fun-filled schedule of rehearsals, theater games, and skill building activities.
​
We are also thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Marin Theatre. During our 2nd and 3rd sessions, we will be offering a technical theater program in collaboration with Marin Theatre! Campers will learn how theater works behind the scenes—designing and building sets, costumes, props, and visual elements. Throughout the week, students will support the shows being created by their peers in Shrek (Session 2) and Once Upon a Mattress (Session 3), helping to bring the production to life for the Saturday performances. Working with professional theater artists in a real theater, campers will gain hands-on skills, collaborate as a team, and turn creative ideas into real stage magic. No experience needed—just curiosity and imagination!
​​
Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.
​
Please Note: You cannot sign up for the workshop program AND the tech program during the same week.
​​
Session 1: ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR
June 15th-20th
​
Location: Marin Theatre, 397 Miller Avenue Mill Valley, CA
Grades: 2nd-10th (2026-27 school year)
Dates: Monday, June 15th - Saturday, June 20th, 9:00am-2:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, June 19th @ 9am (Cast A) & 1:30pm (Cast B)
Performance: Saturday, June 20th @ 12pm (Cast A) & 5pm (Cast B)
Tuition: $615​​
​​
Session 2: SHREK THE MUSICAL KIDS
June 22nd-27th
​
This dual-track camp offers students the choice to perform onstage in Shrek the Musical KIDS with Backyard Kids' Theater OR to participate in Marin Theatre’s new Behind the Scenes Magic camp!
​
Location: Marin Theatre, 397 Miller Avenue Mill Valley, CA
Grades: 2nd-10th (2026-27 school year)
Dates: Monday, June 22nd - Saturday, June 27th, 9:00am-2:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, June 26th @ 9am (Cast A) & 1:30pm (Cast B)
Performance: Saturday, June 27th @ 12pm (Cast A) & 5pm (Cast B)
​Tuition: $615
​
To register for the Shrek acting workshop, click the link below.
For more information on Behind the Scenes Magic: Tech Track, visit www.marintheatre.org. To register, please click the link below.​​​​​
​​
Session 3: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION
July 13th-18th
​
This dual-track camp offers students the choice to perform onstage in Shrek the Musical KIDS with Backyard Kids' Theater OR to participate in Marin Theatre’s new Behind the Scenes Magic camp!
​
Location: Marin Theatre, 397 Miller Avenue Mill Valley, CA
Grades: 2nd-10th (2026-27 school year)
Dates: Monday, July 13th - Saturday, July 18th, 9:00am-2:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, July 17th @ 9am (Cast A) & 1:30pm (Cast B)
Performance: Saturday, July 18th @ 12pm (Cast A) & 5pm (Cast B)
​
To register for the Once Upon a Mattress acting workshop, click the link below.
For more information on Behind the Scenes Magic: Tech Track, visit www.marintheatre.org. To register, please click the link below.
Sonoma
SUMMER REGISTRATION
Open Now!​
Kids will learn an entire show in one week! They will meet daily for a fun-filled schedule of rehearsals, theater games, and skill building activities.​​ Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.
​​
Session 1: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION
July 20th-25th
​
Location: The Sebastiani Theatre, 476 1st St East, Sonoma CA 95476
Grades: 2nd-10th (2026-27 school year)
Dates: Monday, July 20th - Saturday, July 25th, 9:00am-2:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, July 24th @ 9am (Cast A) & 1:30pm (Cast B)
Performance: Saturday, July 25th @ 12pm (Cast A) & 5pm (Cast B)
Tuition: $585
​
​
​
​​​
​​
Session 2: SHREK THE MUSICAL KIDS
August 3rd-8th
​
Location: The Sebastiani Theatre, 476 1st St East, Sonoma CA 95476
Grades: 2nd-10th (2026-27 school year)
Dates: Monday, August 3rd - Saturday, August 8th, 9:00am-2:30pm
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, August 7th @ 9am (Cast A) & 1:30pm (Cast B)
Performance: Saturday, August 8th @ 12pm (Cast A) & 5pm (Cast B)
​
Tuition: $585​​​​​​
Financial Aid
Scholarships are available for all of our programs for those who qualify. If you would like to be considered, please click the link below to apply.​​
​
Our primary consideration for financial aid qualification is annual income and the number of dependents in the household. We also take into account extenuating circumstances such as job lay offs or furlough, unexpected financial burdens, etc. We strive to make theater accessible to all and to mitigate the barrier of entry to the extent of our ability.
Cancellation Policy
We know life happens and plans change!
If a program is full, as long as we are able to find another child to fill the spot before the session begins, we are happy to give
-
a full refund if registration is cancelled before role placement
-
a half refund if registration is cancelled after role placement