Acting and Improv – 3rd thru 6th – Wednesdays 4:30 to 5:30 pm – Spring 2026
Acting and Improv (grades 3 – 6)
Join Jill, Jamie, and Staples Players' guest teachers for a fun exploration of acting for stage and screen. Students will enjoy a mix of theatre games, improv, scene work (both improvised and scripted), commercials and even experience filming a self-tape audition. Class will be a joyous place for kids to exercise their creative imaginations and also learn foundational techniques for theater and tv/film auditioning and performance. Parents are welcome to observe the final class.
Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
7-week session: April 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10.
Classes will be held at Saugatuck Congregational Church, the white church between the Playhouse and downtown Westport, 245 Post Road East (enter through the back entrance; class will be on stage in Hoskins Hall on the lower level, as available, or on the top floor in the choir room/"Chapel").
Taught by: Triple Threat Co-Director Jill Mann + guest teachers: Jamie Mann, fresh off his run in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway, and other Staples Players stars and alumni!
Jill Johnson Mann – Co-Director
Jill Johnson Mann fell in love with acting at age 8 and is a passionate supporter of the arts and aspiring performers. She loves to discover and develop young talent, a pastime inspired by her journey managing her own actor kids (Jamie Mann – Strangers Things original Broadway cast, Country Comfort on Netflix, Days of Our Lives on Peacock; Cameron Mann – Eddington, Mare of Easttown, New Amsterdam, Daredevil, Law & Order SVU; and Natalia Mann – A California Christmas, City Lights, The Passage). Jill has connected actors with representation and/or coaches that have led them to roles on Broadway, TV shows, and feature films. She has taped and coached over 1,000 professional auditions (including those that have landed her kids the roles listed above). She has also guided her own teens and many others through the complex process of applying/auditioning for college musical theater and acting programs.
Jamie Mann – Acting/Dance/Vocal Coach, Dance Teacher
Jamie Mann, a Westport native, made his Broadway debut in spring 2025 in "Stranger Things: The First Shadow," playing Ted Wheeler (the teenage version of Mike Wheeler's dad, from the famed TV series) and understudying James Hopper, Jr. Jamie began training with Cynthia Gibb at the age of 8, which is when a casting director scouted him and his professional acting journey began. A dancer since he could walk, Jamie trained with Alvin Ailey and the School of American Ballet in New York and danced with New York City Ballet (Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Harlequinade). After landing his dream role of Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical (Maltz Jupiter, Fulton, Palace), Jamie fell in love with musical theatre. In addition to being an active Staples Player in high school, he played “Dunlap” in Because of Winn Dixie at Goodspeed and put his singing and dancing skills to use in his series regular role as “Brody” on Netflix’s music themed show Country Comfort, starring Katharine McPhee. Most recently Jamie portrayed Tate on Days of Our Lives (Peacock). He earned his BFA in musical theatre from the University of Michigan in spring 2025. Go Blue! Jamie is represented by Innovative Artists and Jen Namoff.
jamiemartinmann.com
When registering, please click on "add a note to your order" (toward the left side of the "Your Cart" page) and indicate your child's name and grade.
After registering, new students please fill out this electronic: INFO/WAIVER FORM
Photo by Greg Cohen Photography