The Secret Academy, founded in 2012, is the educational arm of The Secret Theatre.
Dedicated to nurturing young artists ages through exceptional training in drama, theatre, musical theatre, voice, music, and dance.
We are committed to cultivating confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of the performing arts.
Through expert instruction and a supportive community, we empower our students to pursue their artistic dreams — whether on the stage, in performing arts high schools, or at prestigious universities — and to discover their unique voices as performers and people.
Classes Calendar
MONDAY
Adult Acting Intensive w/ Burak Tatar 6:30-8:30 PM
TUESDAY
DARK
Wednesday
Junior Musical Theatre Level 1 w/ Mikayla Cohen 4:00-5:00 PM
Intermediate Acting w/ Emily Peiffer 4:15-5:15 PM
Tap Dance w/ Michael Verre 4:30-5:30 PM
Senior Acting w/Emily Peiffer 5:30-6:30 PM
Adult Tap Dance w/Michael Verre 6:00-7:00 PM
Thursday
Acting Level 2 w/Emily Peiffer 4:00-5:00 PM
Intermediate Musical Theatre w/ Miles Messier 4:00-5:00 PM
Improvisation & Devising w/ Emily Peiffer & Buddy LaBelle 5:15-6:15 PM
FridaY
Intermediate Musical Theatre w/Michael Verre 4:00-5:00 PM
Senior Musical Theatre w/ Michael Verre 5:15-6:15 PM
Saturday
Acting Level 2 w/ Eunji Lim 10:00-11:00 AM
Junior Musical Theatre Level 2 w/Carla Mongado 10:00-11:00 AM
Open Styles K-Pop Dance w/Danielle Chu 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Secret Choir w/Carla Mongado 1:00-2:00 PM
SUNDAY
Junior Musical Theatre Level 1 w/ Carla Mongado 10:00-11:00 AM
Acting Level 2 w/ Diana Ponce 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Intermediate Acting w/Emily Peiffer
Wednesdays from 4:15-5:15pm.
This class is for students who are entering middle school and want to dive deeper into the world of acting. We will begin introducing script analysis skills, work on individual monologues, and begin teaching the students how to turn their individuality into unique characters. Often the plays or parts chosen for the lessons will be from the material that appeal to the YA audience. The classes build over the semester and culminate in a showcase for parents and family at the end, which can include an array of scenes or monologues.
Tap Dance w/Michael Verre
Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30pm.
Tap class is a very important class for any performer who wishes to have all round skills and who wants to be considered a triple threat! Being that there are still many films and theatre pieces that require this style of dance, every Musical Theatre actor should at least have basic tap dancing skills, which will also help build stamina and fitness while having fun.
Senior Acting w/Emily Peiffer
Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm.
Our senior acting class is where middle school and high school-aged students, potentially pursuing acting as a career, will attain an in-depth knowledge of acting. Students will begin learning how to break down scenes and create specificity in their characters, which can then be applied in a professional acting environment. They will also work on audition technique and room etiquette to build their confidence in professional audition environments. The semester concludes with a showcase similar to the Intermediate Acting showcase.
Adult Tap Dance w/Michael Verre
Wednesdays from 6pm-7pm.
Adult tap is focused on the fundamentals of tap dance for beginners as well as dancers who grew up tap dancing but have been away from the dance. Classes will include exercises in the fundamentals of tap as well as the application of steps in the form of choreography. this is an inclusive class available to dancers of all levels.
Intermediate Musical Theatre w/Miles Messier
Thursdays from 4pm-5pm.
Intermediate Musical Theatre serves as a bridge for young performers transitioning from Junior to Senior level. This class is tailored to the students’ abilities and focus as they work together to rehearse and perform a mini-musical that will be performed at the end of the class. Through this class, students enhance their creativity skills and truly understand the value of hard work while also learning how to navigate a script, read music, and stage terminology. A showcase will take place at the end, like our other courses.
Acting Level 2 w/Emily Peiffer
Thursdays from 4pm-5pm.
Students will continue to dive into the elements of clear storytelling, while also exploring how to build characters, craft listening, reading skills in scenes, build on-stage spatial awareness and more. Students are encouraged to bring their own ideas and creativity to the class, as we will teach them how to mold their ideas into fully fledged characters. Just like Acting Level 1, the classes build over the semester and culminate in a showcase for parents and family.
Improvisation & Devising w/Emily Peiffer & Buddy LaBelle
This class is designed for individuals of all backgrounds, including dancers, musical theatre performers, actors, and those with no prior acting experience. It focuses on developing improvisation skills and fostering creativity in storytelling, with a welcoming environment for neurodivergent students. Participants will engage in various improv games, learn effective story-building techniques, and acquire tools to enhance their abilities as supportive ensemble members both on and off the stage.
Intermediate Musical Theatre w/Michael Verre
Fridays from 4pm-5pm.
Intermediate Musical Theatre serves as a bridge for young performers transitioning from Junior to Senior level. This class is tailored to the students’ abilities and focus as they work together to rehearse and perform a mini-musical that will be performed at the end of the class. Through this class, students enhance their creativity skills and truly understand the value of hard work while also learning how to navigate a script, read music, and stage terminology. A showcase will take place at the end, like our other courses.
Senior Musical Theatre w/Michael Verre
Fridays from 5:15-6:15pm.
More advanced than our Intermediate Classes, students will learn songs, choreography, and acting from well-known Broadway musicals in our Senior Musical Theatre Classes. Each semester, all of our Musical Theatre Classes will merge to perform one large showcase together. The classes that occur during the week and on the weekends are similar, but it is preferred that you choose only one, and if your students has prior experience in the theatre field they may benefit from it.
Acting Level 2 w/Eunji Lim
Saturdays from 10am-11am.
Students will continue to dive into the elements of clear storytelling, while also exploring how to build characters, craft listening, reading skills in scenes, build on-stage spatial awareness and more. Students are encouraged to bring their own ideas and creativity to the class, as we will teach them how to mold their ideas into fully fledged characters. Just like Acting Level 1, the classes build over the semester and culminate in a showcase for parents and family.
Junior Musical Theatre Level 2 w/Carla Mongado
Saturdays from 10am-11am.
Intermediate Musical Theatre serves as a bridge for young performers transitioning from Junior to Senior level. This class is tailored to the students’ abilities and focus as they work together to rehearse and perform a mini-musical that will be performed at the end of the class. Through this class, students enhance their creativity skills and truly understand the value of hard work while also learning how to navigate a script, read music, and stage terminology. A showcase will take place at the end, like our other courses.
Open Styles K-Pop Dance w/Danielle Chu
Saturdays from 11:15am-12:15pm.
The K-Pop Dance class is open to any level of dancer who may or not be familiar with K-Pop music. K-Pop dance centers around foundational dance styles including jazz and hip hop, all to the tunes of K-Pop music. Attaining these dance skills is essential for students pursuing performing arts high schools. We all learn as a group going over the choreography little by little before going full out. Whether you are a fan of K-Pop or a new listener, our K-Pop classes are always a blast!
Secret Choir w/Carla Mongado
Saturdays from 1pm-2pm.
Join the Secret Choir and sing confidently! This lively group focuses on improving vocal skills, learning to harmonize, exploring different styles of music from around the world, and expressing yourself. Each rehearsal is an opportunity to discover new songs, make friends, and grow your voice in a friendly and creative space. The season will end with a special performance that shows all you’ve learned and celebrates the joy of making music together.
Junior Musical Theatre Level 1 w/Carla Mongado
Sundays from 10am-11am.
Similar to our Junior Acting Classes, Musical Theatre is an amazing way of building social and physical skills. If your student is more of a singer in addition to acting and dancing, this class is the perfect place for them! Throughout the semester, students will do just that: practice singing, acting, and choreography. Like the rest of our semester classes, a performance will take place at the end. Once again, if you are looking to register a student who is 6 years old, they must have basic reading ability in order to participate.
Acting Level 2 w/Diana Ponce
Sundays from 11am-12pm.
This class is for students who are entering middle school and want to dive deeper into the world of acting. We will begin introducing script analysis skills, work on individual monologues, and begin teaching the students how to turn their individuality into unique characters. Often the plays or parts chosen for the lessons will be from the material that appeal to the YA audience. The classes build over the semester and culminate in a showcase for parents and family at the end, which can include an array of scenes or monologues.
Adult Acting Intensive w/Burak Tatar
Mondays from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
This 8-week intensive, led by industry professional Burak Tatar, welcomes both beginner and experienced actors who are wanting to enhance their monologue work.
In this intensive, actors will:
-Learn how to prepare monologues for auditions and the stage
-Receive first hand experience working with a director in a professional rehearsal setting.
-Be given individualized feedback on their work
-Gain experience performing on stage
The class will culminate in a short showcase on the final week. The students will present their monologues on stage in front of an audience, giving each actor a performance opportunity.
Junior Musical Theatre Level 1 w/Mikayla Cohen
Wednesdays from 4-5pm.
Similar to our Junior Acting Classes, Musical Theatre is an amazing way of building social and physical skills. If your student is more of a singer in addition to acting and dancing, this class is the perfect place for them! Throughout the semester, students will do just that: practice singing, acting, and choreography. Like the rest of our semester classes, a performance will take place at the end. Once again, if you are looking to register a student who is 6 years old, they must have basic reading ability in order to participate.

