Playhouse Playmakers – Westport Country Playhouse

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

Playhouse Playmakers is a seven-week playwriting and performance program for students in grades 6–8 at the Westport Country Playhouse. Led by actor, playwright, and educator Evette Marie White, students collaborate to write an original play, hear their work read aloud by professional actors, and present a staged reading on the Playhouse stage for friends and family.

Program Details:

Saturdays, April 11 – May 30 from 1pm-4pm (no class Memorial Day weekend)
The invited performance on May 30 at 3pm will take place on the Playhouse stage.
The class size will be about 15 students in grades 6-8 (reach out if you’re on the cusp 5th/9th).
$575 per student/Scholarships available

More about Playhouse Playmakers:

Playhouse Playmakers is a dynamic children’s education program at the Westport Country Playhouse, directed by actor, playwright, and educator Evette Marie White. Designed for students in grades 6–8, this seven-week program invites young artists to explore the exciting process of creating an original play—from first idea to final performance on the Playhouse stage.

Working collaboratively, students will learn the fundamentals of playwriting, storytelling, production and a bit of acting, gaining hands-on experience as they write, revise, rehearse, and shape a play they create together. Along the way, students will have the unique opportunity to hear their work read aloud by professional actors, helping them better understand how their words come to life on stage and strengthening their confidence as writers and creators.

The program culminates in a staged reading of the newly created work (no memorization required), presented on the Westport Country Playhouse stage. Friends and family are invited to attend this special sharing, celebrating the students’ creativity and the collaborative journey of bringing a brand-new play to life. Playhouse Playmakers nurtures imagination, confidence, and collaboration—while giving young artists the unforgettable experience of sharing their original voices in a professional theatrical setting.

More about Evette Marie White:

Evette Marie White is an actress, poet, playwright and educator who has nurtured young artists for over a decade. She hails from Chesapeake, VA and she studied Musical Theatre at Howard University in Washington, DC. She has toured the world in Ghost the Musical and performed in a host of shows throughout the US, Asia, Australia and abroad. She currently teaches for Learning Through an Expanded Art Program (Leap) as a teaching artist where she has coached several New York City Finalists for The Next Narrative Monologue Competition at the Apollo Theatre hosted by Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. She looks forward to seeing our young thespians soar!

Playhouse Playmakers is generously supported by

What does the program cost?

The fee for the program is $575 in full. This fee covers all seven sessions, technical rehearsal, materials, and four complimentary tickets to the performance. Tickets beyond the complimentary four will be available at an additional charge. The Rhimes Foundation has generously made scholarships available for those who qualify.

For those looking to submit payment for the program, or to sponsor a scholarship spot, you may do so here.

What is the time commitment for students?

Playhouse Playmakers are expected to attend all Saturday classes from 1pm-4pm and the performance. Classes take place from 1pm-4pm on April 11, 18 and 25, and May 2, 9, 16 and 30. (Class will not meet on May 23 of Memorial Day weekend.)

Saturday, April 11 from 1pm-4pm
Saturday, April 18 from 1pm-4pm
Saturday, April 25 from 1pm-4pm
Saturday, May 2 from 1pm-4pm
Saturday, May 9 from 1pm-4pm
Saturday, May 16 from 1pm-4pm*
Saturday, May 30 from 12pm-4pm**

*No class Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23)

**On May 30, students will likely have an earlier meeting time of 12pm.

Will the performance be open to the public?

No, the final performance will not be open to the general public, but each student is entitled to 4 complimentary tickets. Families needing more will be able to purchase additional tickets for $15 each.

How do I register for Playhouse Playmakers?

To register for Playhouse Playmakers’ Spring 2026 Session, please fill out the application form below and submit payment here. Once both are received, we will email you to finalize your registration. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please make note in the form below. Payment is not required to submit the form, and you will be emailed to continue the application process. Please email mmeath@westportplayhouse.org with questions.

Playhouse Playmakers Registration - Spring 2026

Registration form for Playhouse Playmakers educational program for students grades 6-8.

Student Name(Required)

First Last

Student Birthday(Required)

Student Grade(Required)

Student School

Please let us know what school your child attends.

Student Pronouns

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

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 Playhouse Playmakers?(Required)

Please have the student write a short response (2-3 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 scholarship requests, comments, questions, accommodation requests, concerns, or anything else you would like to communicate alongside this application. You can also add secondary email addresses or phone numbers here.

Terms, Conditions and Releases:(Required)

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

“Playhouse Playmakers”, a program offered by Westport Country Playhouse, Inc., (the "Playhouse") will hold a workshop over a period of 7 weeks from April 11- May 30, 2026, on Saturdays from 1pm-4pm (hereinafter “Workshop”). All rehearsals and the performance will take place 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 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.