Registration for our FREE Acting in Musical Theatre Class is OPEN!

The Premiere Playhouse is excited to continue offering FREE performance classes this season! Registration for our upcoming Acting in Musical Theatre class is now open. This is for all experienced and aspiring actors who want to hone their skills with industry professionals. Our very own Oliver Mayes (TPP’s Managing Artistic Director) and Matthew Walicke (frequent TPP music director) will be guiding you through the interpretation of music and lyrics through performance, discussion, and technique application once a week beginning March 2nd. We can’t wait to see you!

Who: Any person 14-17 or 18+ who would like to strengthen their acting skills and learn tips, tricks and methods from industry professionals!

What: An acting class that uses the techniques of acting through song and music analysis to tell a story.

Where: The Premiere Playhouse Offices

When:  Every Thursday night (3/2 – 3/30)

Session 1 (Youth 14-17): March 2nd – 30th, 4:30 – 6:00 PM, with a Final Showcase on Sunday, April 2nd.

Session 2 (Adult 18+): March 2nd – 30th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, with a Final Showcase on Sunday, April 2nd.

Final Showcase Schedule:

• Session 1 (Youth): 1:00 PM Showcase, 2:00 PM Reception
• Session 2 (Adult): 4:00 PM Showcase, 5:00 PM Reception

Price: FREE (Registration required)

Registration: Open now and closes Wednesday, March 1st at 12:00 noon. Due to a high volume of interest those who submit will receive an email alerting them if there is a slot available for them in the class.

About the Instructors

Oliver Mayes

Oliver Mayes is a theatre & media artist whose work has been showcased in several states throughout the U.S. With a background in acting, directing, producing, movement choreography, writing, and teaching, his credits span various mediums and genres. He has appeared in several musicals such as Rent, American Idiot, Hair, Dogfight, Grease, Into the Woods, Urinetown, and Seussical. His favorite musical theatre creative team credits include Cabaret (director), Mamma Mia! (director), Spring Awakening (choreographer), Zanna, Don’t! (director/choreographer), and The Sounds of the 60’s (creator/director/choreographer). Oliver is co-founder of Coast to Coast Music Theatre Intensive where he taught various styles of musical theatre to high school students for three summers in Oregon. He has taught acting at the University of South Dakota and Shakespeare performance at James Madison University. He is the recipient of several honors, including the Kennedy Center’s 2020 Stage Directors & Choreographers Society Fellowship. He is a scholarship alumnus of the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive and an associate member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, the national union for professional stage directors and choreographers. Oliver holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from University of South Dakota and a BFA in Music Theatre from AMDA College of the Performing Arts.

Matthew Walicke

Matthew Walicke is an active conductor, music composer / arranger / producer, performer, vocal coach, instrumentalist, and accompanist. He is in his 13th year as Director of Music and Worship Arts at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where he directs their choirs, orchestra and instrumental ensembles, plays organ (including a triple hybrid satellite console he designed), leads their band, and writes a lot of music. A fixture in the local theatre scene for over a decade, Matt has recently received a Broadway World Award for his work in the Premiere Playhouse’s multi-award winning production of of Young Frankenstein. His other recent productions include “Cabaret,” “Annie Jr.,” and “A Christmas Carol.” He also recently played The Prince in the Opera South Dakota Fairytale Opera in the Park production of “The Goose Girl.” Matthew enjoys travel, cooking, hiking, and spending time with his wife Tasondra, his children Evan and Abi, and their two dogs, Arya and Rocko.

TPP’s Acting in Musical Theatre class is sponsored by CNA Surety. Thank you, CNA, for supporting Sioux Falls theatre education!