Classes Instructors

Classes

James and the Giant Peach JR

A performance based class

September 22 - December 14, 2025


Dates: September 22 - December 14
Time: Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Performances dates: December 12 - 14, 2025
Ages: Student ages 8-18 are eligible to participate in the class
Tuition: $300 per student
Family discount: 2 or more registered family members receive a 15% discount off each registration
Max Capacity: 40 students

Each student will receive a cast T-shirt
Each student will receive two complimentary tickets to a performance

Description: Workshop Theatre School of Performing Arts is thrilled to introduce our brand-new performance based class - James and The Giant Peach, Jr.

Get ready for a fall full of acting, singing, and dancing as we bring Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR. "masterpeach" tale to life! Students

Every participant will be cast and work together to bring this vibrant musical to life, culminating in a live public performance on Workshop’s stage. This is the perfect opportunity for young actors to build confidence, teamwork, and stage presence while having a blast.

Director: Taylor Diveley
Musical Director: Josh Diveley
Choreographer: Hope Anglemyer

NOTE: Students who register for the class are NOT eligible for a class tuition refund regardless of casting.

Story synopsis: Based on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR. is a new take on this "masterpeach" of a tale. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.

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Stage Sparks: Creating a Character


September 23 - November 11 (8 weeks)


Teacher Name: Julian Deleon
Target Audience: Grades 1 - 5
Time: Tuesdays 4:30pm - 5:45pm
Cost: $150
Description: Join educator, performer and director, Julian Deleon, as we explore the exciting process of creating a character! Students will use their voice, body and imagination to step into the shoes of different characters. From silly animals to brave heroes, students will learn how to bring characters to life through storytelling, movement, improvisation and guided play. The class will culminate with a short performance for families and friends.

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Stagecraft: Mastering Monologues


September 24 - November 12 (8 weeks)


Teacher Name: Julian Deleon
Target Audience: Grades 6 - 12
Time: Wednesdays 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Cost: $150
Description: This class is designed to help teen actors build confidence and skill through focused monologue work. Students will learn how to select, analyze and perform monologues that highlight their strengths. With coaching in voice, movement and emotional connection, actors will discover how to make honest and specific acting choices. This class will culminate with a short performance for families and friends.

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Beyond the Spotlight


September 24 - November 12 (8 weeks)


Teacher Name: Julian Deleon
Target Audience: Ages 18 and up
Time: Wednesdays 6pm - 7pm
Cost: $150
Description: This class is designed for adult actors who want to sharpen their craft through focused scene work. Students will dive into partnered and ensemble scenes, learning to break down text, identify objectives, and make strong, truthful choices in performance. Emphasis will be placed on listening, reacting, and staying present with scene partners to create authentic, dynamic moments on stage. Through rehearsal and coaching, actors will develop a greater confidence, technique, and emotional connection.

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Curtain Rise Crew


October 5 - October 26 (4 weeks class)


Teacher Name: Toby O’Connor
Target Audience: Grades 6 - 12
Time: Sundays 3pm - 5pm
Cost: $100
Description: The Curtain Rise Crew is back by popular demand! This vibrant, creative class allows students to gather and express themselves through the art of performance. The club offers an opportunity for students of all experience levels to engage with theatre-whether they’re interested in acting, directing, writing or working behind the scenes.

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Vocal Audition Lab


September 5


Teacher Name: Taylor Diveley
Target Audience: Ages 16 and up
Time: Friday 6:30pm - 8pm
Cost: $25
Description: This class is designed for singers who want to refine their audition skills and build confidence in front of the panel. Through focused coaching, students will learn how to choose strong repertoire, interpret songs with authenticity, and deliver a polished performance. The lab emphasizes vocal technique, storytelling, and audition etiquette, while also providing feedback on presentation, professionalism, and communication. Each session offers the opportunity to perform, receive constructive critique, and grow in a supportive environment—equipping singers with the tools to approach auditions with preparation and poise.

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Private Acting

Designed for actors of all ages and experience levels
Time: 30 minute private sessions (minimum of 3 sessions)
Tuition: $25 per session ($75 for 3 sessions)
Instructor: Amber Westbrook, Julian Deleon or Nicholas Holland
Description: Have an audition coming up? Working on a show and need help understanding your character? Always wanted to try acting but never wanted to with a group of strangers? Sign up for 3 sessions of Private Acting Classes. Amber Westbrook will contact you to schedule your sessions.

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Private Voice Lessons


Designed for singers of all ages and experience levels
Time: 30 minute sessions
Registration Deadline: Open
Tuition: $25 per session ($75 for 3 sessions)
Instructor: Taylor Diveley
Description: Have a musical audition coming up? Working on a song and need some help with it? Always wanted to try singing but never wanted to with a group of strangers? Sign up for 3 sessions of Private Voice Lessons. Taylor Diveley will contact you to schedule your sessions.

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Instructors

Julian Deleon



Julian studied acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. From there he became the Educational Marketing Intern at American Place Theatre and worked on several productions with Galli Theatre NY. He has performed in several productions around Columbia including Dance Nation at Trustus Theatre, Torch Song at Workshop Theatre and A Christmas Carol at Columbia Childrens Theatre. He began working as a teaching artist with Columbia Childrens Theatre almost 10 years ago and has since taught all over the Midlands from Spartanburg to Florence County. He spent 6 years at Midlands Arts Conservatory as the Theatre Teacher and also operates several after-school programs at local schools.

Katherine Brown



Katherine, a former professional dancer with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines, has served as Dance Captain and Production Principal. Other performance credits include the Broadway National Tour of Saturday Night Fever and various regional theatre credits across the United States. In addition to her successful dance career, Katherine has excelled academically, earning a BFA in Musical Theatre, a BS in Public Health from Coastal Carolina University, and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of South Carolina. Her most recent appearances at Workshop Theatre include the roles of Cassie in A Chorus Line and Bombalurina in CATS. Katherine is an enthusiastic instructor specializing in dance technique, with a strong emphasis on musical theatre styles.

Taylor Diveley



Taylor Diveley attended the University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina University studying Vocal Performance. Since moving back to Columbia in July 2022, Taylor has been seen on Workshop Theatre’s stage in KINKY BOOTS (Charlie), TORCH SONG (Alan), A CHORUS LINE (Don) and HUNDRED DAYS (Shawn Bengson) and A NEW BRAIN (Gordon Michael Schwinn); and the Columbia Children’s Theatre’s stage in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ghost of Christmas Past). In addition to being on the stage, Taylor has several other roles behind the scenes. He was the music director for Workshop’s production of CATS, FINDING NEMO JR., and THE ADDAMS FAMILY YOUNG@PART. He is also part of Workshop’s educational team, and a proud member of Workshop Theatre’s Board of Trustees. Taylor also plays music gigs professionally around the Carolinas.

Nicholas Holland



Hello, I am Nicholas Holland. I started performing in early highschool; doing multiple shows at Village Square Theater and also performing in shows at Lexington High and Riverbluff High (graduating from Riverbluff). I decided to go to Anderson University, and after my four years graduated with a BFA in acting and directing. During college I performed in a multitude of shows ranging from Greek -> contemporary; while also working with theaters as the lighting designer. I was on the Improv team for 4 years, while also attending a national competition two times. I was also one of the heads of the student lead productions at Anderson University, which entailed supporting, casting, producing multiple shows all written/directed/designed by only the students. Sadly i graduated at the beginning of covid, so all of the theater came to a halt. I am currently working as an IT rep for TD bank and am starting to put my foot back in the door after a good couple of years. I taught a master improv class at Village Square, and excited to bring more to the table at Workshop Theatre

Toby O'Connor



Toby O’Connor is so thrilled to get the opportunity to work alongside the incredibly talented staff at Workshop Theater. Toby has been performing from a very young age all around the Columbia area where he has been mentored by some the best! Some of his favorite previous roles have been: Ghost of Christmas Present in “The Christmas Carol”, Dickon in “The Secret Garden”, Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls”, and Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast”. Toby is currently pursuing his General Ed/Theater degree and has really enjoyed his previous experience teaching youth theater and excited to dive back in! When he isn’t goofing around or performing, Toby loves hanging with his dogs, playing D&D, or going to the latest Comic Con.

Bobby Rogers



Bobby L. Rogers Jr, is a native of Jonesville, SC located in the Upstate of South Carolina in Union County where he attended Jonesville High School. It was in Jonesville that his music and theatre career began in the gifted and talented band, theater, and chorus program.After graduating from JHS he earned his degree of Education at Benedict College and his masters degree in Education. Mr. Rogers taught first grade for 5 years and he has spent 18 years in public health for state. He has been seen onstage in shows such as “The Color Purple” “Ragtime”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Five Guys Named Moe, “Lend Me a Tenor”,”Sister Act”. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Inc. “Life is a stage, so live life”

Jessica Roth



Jessica Roth is an experienced musician with an extensive background performing in both musical theater and with bands of various genres throughout her career. Jessica began her musical journey performing in various high school musicals. After high school she moved to New York and began auditioning/performing in off-Broadway shows. In 2007, Jessica began performing with corporate entertainment bands traveling the east coast. After the birth of her second child, her family moved back to SC. In 2019, she started Girl Interrupted, a 90's and 2000's cover band that performs regularly around Columbia. In 2022 Jessica returned to the stage performing in Workshop Theatre’s productions of The Wedding Singer as “Linda” and Kinky Boots as “Lauren”. You may have also seen her in Trustus theatres production of Mad Ones and most recently as Rum Tum Tugger in CATS at Workshop Theatre. In addition to her music career, Jessica also is an accomplished hairstylist in Columbia. She is an international hair educator with Framesi and frequently travels to teach other hair stylists around the country.

Amber Westbrook



Amber Westbrook is a performer, artist, and educator. With a BA in the arts from Winthrop University (concentration in Theatre and Dance Performance), she has gained a lot of experience and knowledge working with many different theatre companies and arts organizations. She is happy to share her knowledge, tips, and tricks to help empower others. She has worked with Workshop Theatre on shows such as The Realistic Joneses, Boys in the Band, Belles, and She Loves Me. A few of her favorite projects include, The Friendship 9: No Fear for Freedom the Musical, Neighbors: A Wildlife Show, and The Carnival of the Animals: the Gift that Ran Away.