Our Educational Programs include Private Voice Lessons, Theatrical Workshops, Camps, and a variety of classes throughout the year. Explore below!
Let’s Journey Into Drama
Ages 8-9 | Sundays, Aug 31 – Oct 5 (6 weeks) | 4:30-5:30 PM | $200
Comedies and musicals are fun! But so is DRAMA! These lessons are for young students who would like to work on the process of acting a little more “seriously” in order to get familiar with dramatic acting. The class focuses on students working on a brief monologue within the context of a short play they will perform together, in order to hone their dramatic skills. For the most part, monologues will stem from familiar characters they have seen in animated and kid-friendly movies. This class involves memorization. *Limit of 12 students in class
You’re SO Dramatic!
Ages 10-12 | Sundays, Aug 31 – Oct 5 (6 weeks) | 5:45-6:45 PM | $200
These lessons are for students who are genuinely interested in the Art of acting and have had at least one acting class or workshop previously. Students will be introduced to dramatic scene work, presented in a Spooky short play that includes a brief monologue for each student to hone their dramatic skills. This class is for the student who, although they love comedies and musicals, want to begin to expand their craft to prepare for more dramatic roles. This class involves memorization. *Limit of 12 students in class
Let’s Get Serious
Ages 13-18 | Tuesdays, Aug 26 – Sept 30 (6 weeks) | 5:30-7:00 PM | $200
These lessons are for experienced students who have been involved in theatre long enough to have participated in at least a few shows and/or workshops. Students will be working on very dramatic monologues/scene work and learning how to develop a complex character. These dramatic pieces are meant for this specific older age group, as the subject matter may be mature. This class is intended to expand the student’s repertoire to include roles of a more dramatic nature. More individual attention will be needed, so class is limited to 6 students. This class involves memorization. *Limit of 6 students in class
Questions? Email lisapaynter10@gmail.com
MINDY WHITESMITH
PRIVATE VOICE TEACHER & CLASS INSTRUCTOR
CONTACT INFO@NORTHCANTONPLAYHOUSE.COM
Mindy received her Bachelor's of Music Education with a focus in vocal pedagogy (teachers include Dr. Patricia Boehm, Amanda Joyce-Abbott) choral conducting (Dr. Scott Dorsey) and piano pedagogy (Nicole Lee) from the University of Mount Union (2005). Upon graduating, she became part of the North Canton City School District and served students of all ages as a music teacher, musical theatre director and choral director for 15 years. During her tenure she has appeared as a clinician and guest conductor for many Ohio and Pennsylvania festivals and adjudicated events. Mindy holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from The University of St. Mary's. She has served as the Assistant Program chair for the American Choral Director's Association (ACDA 2008) and has had several articles published in the ACDA magazines focusing on music, movement and the student brain. Mindy has also taught undergraduate music courses at Malone University and continues to instruct private voice lessons in the local area as well as direct musicals and workshops at the North Canton Playhouse. When she is not directing a show she is happiest just hanging out with her family. In her spare time she enjoys drinking coffee, weight lifting and reading.
LEXI JOHNSON
PRIVATE VOICE TEACHER & CLASS INSTRUCTOR
CONTACT: johnson.alexis1997@gmail.com
Lexi Johnson is a vocalist, private voice teacher, and musical director based in Canton, Ohio. She earned her B.A. in Music (voice) from the University of Akron in 2020, studying with Dr. Laurie Lashbrook after earlier training with Dr. Katherine Rohrer at The Ohio State University. While completing her degree, she taught music to immigrant and refugee families through Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services in Columbus, Ohio.
Her performance highlights include Carmina Burana (The Ohio State University), excerpts from The Marriage of Figaro (University of Akron), and Fauré’s Requiem with CityMusic Cleveland. She also works extensively in youth, community, and high-school theater, with music-directing credits including Alice by Heart, Mamma Mia!, Anastasia, Little Shop of Horrors, Finding Nemo Jr., and Something Rotten. She has been participating at NCP since 2004 and is proud to be a longtime member of the Playhouse family!
She is passionate about guiding young singers toward confidence and a lifelong love of music. Outside of music, she enjoys hiking, running, camping, and spending time with family.
Almost New York Studio is led by Lisa Paynter and collaborates with the North Canton Playhouse to produce acting workshops and classes throughout the year (ages 7yr-18yr) as well as an annual Summer Musical Workshop (7yr-14yr). Private voice lessons are also offered. The philosophy of this studio is to promote confidence, creativity, teamwork and to encourage a love for the Arts!
