The ActUp Theater Broadway Masterclass is a rigorous day of skill-building where we recruit highly accomplished master teaching artists to develop the creativity and talent of each participant. Masterclasses with ActUp are an opportunity to become part of our vibrant community and grow your passion for the stage, network, collaborate, and make lasting connections.
ActUp masterclasses aren't just about learning a routine.
They're about helping people and performers understand what it means to be an artist.
Previous masterclasses have focused on everything from vocals and choreography to character development, storytelling, stage presence, discipline, confidence, and audition preparation.
You don't just learn the material. You learn how to show up.
FAll 2026 -First Black Kristoff on Broadway Comes to Connecticut
A one-of-a-kind Disney’s Frozen, The Musical Masterclass led by Broadway performer Noah J. Ricketts, Disney’s first Black Prince Kristoff in FROZEN!
For the first time in forever, performers will have the opportunity to step into ActUp’s Arendelle and learn from an artist who has experienced the magic of Frozen firsthand. Students will explore song, choreography, storytelling, audition techniques, and performance skills while gaining insight into what it takes to shine on stage at the Broadway level!
Noah J. Ricketts is one of New York’s compelling leading men, with an extensive career across Broadway, television, film, and concert stages. He originated Nick Carraway in the Broadway and West End hit THE GREAT GATSBY and made history as Disney’s first African American Prince Kristoff in Broadway’s FROZEN. His credits also include BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Off-Broadway’s TO MY GIRLS, and the Peabody Award-winning series FELLOW TRAVELERS, among others.
Now, Connecticut performers will have the rare opportunity to work directly with a Broadway artist whose career spans some of today’s most celebrated stage and screen productions. Bringing his experience, insight, and energy to ActUp Theater, Ricketts is ready to help Connecticut performers discover what it takes to truly shine on stage!
Spring 2026 -Broadway Dance Captain to ActUp
On February 21, 2026, with a Broadway Masterclass led by Brittany Nicholas, Broadway’s dance captain for Stranger Things, Mean Girls, Mamma Mia, AND MATLIDA Jr., amongst a professional career spanning more than 18 years, National Tours, Broadway, and TV. This exciting opportunity gives Connecticut youth unprecedented access to professional theater training.
ActUp’s SOLD OUT Broadway Masterclass featured Brittany Nicholas, a New York-based multi-hyphenate artist who trained at the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and Destination Broadway Summer Camps. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 with Elton John’s Billy Elliot and has served as Dance Captain and Swing on both Broadway and National Tours. Brittany recently made her creative debut as Assistant Choreographer and Movement Director of Netflix’s Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway.
ActUp Theater is brought a once-in-a-lifetime Broadway Masterclass inspired by Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr. Students explored the music, movement, and storytelling, while gaining personal insight into what it takes to bring such a beloved production to life.
FALL 2025 - ActUp brought Broadway to CT!
Actup Theater brought Jared Dixon from Broadways Hamilton and The Lion King to Connecticut for a once in a lifetime experience! He trained students in dancing and singing, while also giving personal insights on his journey to Broadway.
We had a great turnout of 70 incredible artists who joined us for the Broadway Masterclass with Jared Dixon. It was fantastic! The participants were engaged and the experience was inspiring, fulfilling, and a reminder of the power of dedication, creativity, and community.
Jared Dixon has played the role of Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton more than 1,000 times. He joined the New York company of the international hit in February 2023. Combining his work on Broadway and on the road, Dixon has played the role for nearly four years. Dixon was also seen as Simba in the national tour of The Lion King and Grady in the national tour of The Color Purple. Audiences around the country have enjoyed his performances in regional productions of Rent, Hairspray, Violet, In the Heights, Sister Act, Ragtime, The Color Purple, and Hello Again.
SPRING 2025
Spring 2025 was centered on Once On This Island. ATAA hosted a masterclass that gave students the chance to step into the music, movement, and heart of the show. They worked on ensemble pieces, explored character, and found new ways to tell stories through song and performance. The process brought out their creativity and strengthened their confidence. By the end of the masterclass students were ready to share what they had learned and carry that spirit into the season.
FALL 2024
Fall 2024 focused on preparing our students for the Winter production of Dreamgirls. ATAA hosted a masterclass where participants trained in vocals, acting, and stage presence to capture the spirit of the show. They worked on harmonies, movement, and character development while encouraging one another to push further. The masterclass built both skill and confidence, giving students the tools they needed to bring Dreamgirls to life when it was time to perform.
SPRING 2024
Spring 2024 was all about getting ready for Grease. ATAA hosted a masterclass that let students dive into the music, choreography, and style of the show. They learned the classic moves, practiced their vocals, and built the confidence to step into their roles. The energy in the room gave a glimpse of the excitement that was waiting in the full production. Students left not only prepared but also inspired to bring their best to the stage.
FALL 2023
Fall 2023 brought something new to ATAA. We hosted a masterclass to get students ready for the Winter production of Sister Act. It was all about growth and preparation — working on vocals, movement, and character while building the kind of confidence that shows up on stage. More than practice, it was a chance for students to come together, push themselves, and be part of something bigger. By the end, they weren’t just ready for the show, they were ready to shine.
We were excited to have broadway coach, Judine Somerville, instruct our last Masterclass. Judine has lit up the Broadway stage in five original musicals and has been honored with some serious accolades. She's not only a recipient of the Stephen A. Goldberg Award and the F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship, but also holds the prestigious Legacy Robe Honor, which goes to the ensemble member with the most Broadway musical performances under their belt.
Spring 2023
Spring 2023 took things to another level at ATAA. This masterclass focused on sharpening performance skills for our upcoming production of The Lion King. Students worked on vocals, choreography, and storytelling, learning how to bring energy and authenticity to every scene. Beyond technique, it was about presence and how to carry yourself like the stage belongs to you. What started as drills and rehearsals became a journey of discovery. By the time it wrapped up, students weren’t just rehearsing characters, they were embodying them, ready to bring the magic of the savanna to life.
Spring 2022 - Dance Masterclass with
So You Think You Can Dance’s
Jamile Mcgee
We welcomed Jamile McGee for a dance masterclass. With a career that includes performing and choreographing for artists like Usher, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, Jamile brought world-class experience straight to our students. It was about more than just learning moves. It was about discipline, expression, and unlocking the kind of passion that makes dance unforgettable. By the end, students walked away inspired, stronger, and ready to carry what they learned into every performance ahead.