Playhouse Masterclass Series is a children’s education program at the Westport Country Playhouse.

Join us for an engaging, hands-on masterclass focused on bringing songs to life through acting. Led by acclaimed teaching artist Shereen Ahmed, this session will guide students in connecting emotionally to their material, making clear storytelling choices, and deepening their performance presence.

Designed for high school–aged performers, this interactive class includes a group warm-up, a focused mini-lesson on “acting the song,” small group collaboration, and the opportunity for select students to receive direct coaching with a live accompanist. The session concludes with a Q&A, offering valuable insight into the craft and process.

Program Details:

Registration is now open. See below for details.
One Class: Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 2pm – 4pm
Cost: $100 per student.
Located at the Smilow Lounge at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct.
The class size will be 15 students in high school (interested rising Freshmen are welcome to reach out by email to inquire).
Every participant will be asked to prepare a song of their choice in advance and bring a copy of the sheet music to class.
The masterclass will not be open to the general public or for auditing.
Scholarships are available. Please make a note in the registration form below. Payment is not required to submit a registration form.
Registration and payment information are in the drop down below!

More about Shereen Ahmed:

Shereen Ahmed is a Broadway and international performing artist whose work spans the world’s most iconic stages. She made her Broadway debut in the Lincoln Center Theater production of My Fair Lady and headlined the national tour as Eliza Doolittle, which earned her a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination. Her Off-Broadway credits include Franca in The Light in the Piazza at City Center Encores! and Adele in Classic Stage Company’s A Man of No Importance. Shereen originated the role of Ellen in the world premiere of The Age of Innocence at The Old Globe. Shereen has headlined the Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Ceremony in Cairo, performed for President Biden at the White House on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and starred as Joan Fletcher in Strike Up the Band and Iolanthe in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe at Carnegie Hall. On screen, she has appeared on Law & Order: SVU, NBC’s New Amsterdam, and PBS’s Eyes of the World with the Boston Pops.

Named one of 40 Under 40 accomplished Arab Americans in the US and profiled in Vogue Arabia, Shereen was also a guest speaker at the United Nations, and is a global ambassador for Education for Employment. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Towson University. @shereen_ahmed

How can I register for Acting the Song with Shereen Ahmed?

To secure a spot for Acting the Song with Shereen Ahmed, please fill out the registration form below and submit payment here: https://tickets.westportplayhouse.org/7175

Please email mmeath@westportplayhouse.org with questions or to join the mailing list for future offerings.

Playhouse Masterclass Series Registration

Registration form for Playhouse Masterclass Series educational program for high school students: Acting the Song with Shereen Ahmed.

Student Name(Required)

First Last

Student Birthday(Required)

Student Grade(Required)

Student Pronouns

Please fill out this section if you would like to share the student's pronouns with us.

Student's School

Please type your student's current school, if you're willing to share. This information helps with future educational programming.

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

First Last

Primary Contact Email(Required)

This email address should be the primary contact for daily communications regarding the program details.

Primary Contact Phone(Required)

This should be the contact number for the primary transportation person to and from the program.

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Why would you like to join the masterclass?(Required)

Please have the student write a short response (1-2 sentences) describing why they would like to be a part of the program.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

This is free space to add comments, questions, accommodation requests, scholarship requests, concerns, or anything else you would like to communicate alongside this application.

Terms, Conditions and Releases:(Required)

By checking this box, I agree to the Terms, Conditions and Releases below:

“Playhouse Masterclass Series”, a program offered by Westport Country Playhouse, Inc., (the "Playhouse") will hold a one-day workshop on Sunday, June 28 from 2pm-4pm (hereinafter “workshop”) at Westport Country Playhouse, located at 25 Powers Court, Westport, Connecticut, 06608. The undersigned agrees as follows:
1. Risk and Liability: I understand that during my child’s participation in workshop, although steps have been taken to provide proper organization, supervision, instruction and equipment, it is impossible to guarantee absolute safety. I also understand that I share the responsibility for the safety of my child in workshop, and I assume that responsibility. I shall instruct my child to exercise all necessary caution and to obey the safety instructions of the staff involved.
2. Tuition: Tuition and this form are due in full prior to the first day of the workshop. If a parent/guardian notified the Playhouse that a child is not able to attend any portion of the workshop for which the child is enrolled, any tuition payment(s) previously paid will not be refunded.
3. Release of Liability: I hereby release the Playhouse, its faculty and its employees from all claims of liability, personal injury, loss of personal property and harm while my child(ren) or I dance, sing, act, perform or are on the premises. I acknowledge that I have read and understand all of the information provide to me about Playhouse Playmakers and agree to all terms and conditions included in this form.
4. Photo Release: I give my permission to use my child’s photographic likeness in all forms of media for advertising, trade, and any other lawful purpose, including photographs and videos for use on the Playhouse’s website, brochures, and advertisements for the Playhouse educational programs. Names will not be used.
5. Behavior Policy: The Playhouse has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that could be interpreted as bullying, physical violence, discrimination, or disruptive behavior. I understand that the Playhouse reserves the right to send my child home immediately, should such behavior occur, and remove my child from the workshop, should it be deemed necessary.

By checking the box above, I acknowledge that I have had sufficient opportunity to read the above provisions, and I understand and agree to its specific terms and conditions. In addition, I have read and knowingly agreed to all the release terms included in this document.

THANK YOU

Education Supporters: