Join us for one of our original, issue-oriented musicals that nurture community, self-expression, and the transformative power of drama.
Tuition cost is $650 per student for our Brookline, JP, Needham and Newton troupes & $725 for our Spotlight troupe.
*Rehearsal for Life aims to be an equitable and inclusive community and believes all students have a right to access theater education programs. Reduced tuition is available on the registration page. We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) nutrition program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming. See the full list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and Connectorcare discounts.
What is Freelance?
Fall 2023 Rehearsal Schedule
Brookline Troupe (Ages 8-12)
Fridays 3:30-5:45pm
Rehearsals & Performances @ Driscoll School, Brookline
Start Date: 11/3
Production Week: 2/5-2/9
Performances Dates: 2/9 @6pm, 2/10 @ 2pm
Director – Alissa Darsa
Music Director – Ian Lao
Choreographer – CJ Donohoe
JP Troupe (Ages 8-12)
Tuesdays 4:30-6:45pm
Rehearsals @ Hope Central Church, JP
Performances @ Footlight Club
Start Date: 9/5
Production Week: 12/11-12/15
Performance Dates: 12/15 @ 6pm, 12/16 @ 2pm & 6pm
Director – Mike Casey
Assistant Director – Han Taub
Music Director – Cooper Evello
Choreographer – Elle Jansen
Needham Troupe (Ages 8-12)
Fridays 3:30-5:45pm
Rehearsals & Performances @ Congregational Church of Needham, Needham
Start Date: 9/8
Production Week: 1/28-2/2
Performance Dates: 2/2 @ 6pm & 2/3 @ 2 & 6pm
Director – Mary Torpey
Music Director – Cooper Evello
Choreographer – Elle Jansen
Newton Troupe (Ages 8-12)
Mondays 3:30-5:45pm
Rehearsals @ St. Paul Church, Newton
Performances @ Lasell University
Start Date: 9/11
Production Week: 1/7-1/12
Performance Dates: 1/11 & 1/12
Director – Sally Campbell
Music Director – Ian Lao
Choreographer – CJ Donohoe
Spotlight Troupe (Ages 12-16)
Thursdays 5:30-7:45pm
Rehearsals & Performances @ Congregational Church of Needham, Needham
Start Date: 9/7
Production Week: 1/21 – 1/26
Performance Dates: 1/26 @ 7:30pm, 1/27 @ 2pm & 7:30pm
Director – Mary Torpey
Music Director – Cooper Evello
Choreographer – Elle Jansen
“Even though it wasn’t a traditional class, Freelance was the most influential learning experience I’ve ever had. Through the program, I learned not only how to act, improvise, and sing, but also how to manage stress, navigate social conflict, and make friends.”
Liam, Former Freelance Player
About The Freelance Players
The Freelance Players engages youth in the creation and performance of original, issue-oriented musical theater performed for audiences of all ages. Participants gain skills in acting, singing, dance and improvisation while working collaboratively and discovering empowered self-expression. Five Freelance Troupes each produce two original musicals a year, performed throughout Greater Boston.
Our ensemble-approach fosters imagination, artistic growth and self-confidence. Freelance programs uphold our organizational values of social justice, creativity, respect, cooperation, empathy and positive social change. Students leave the program with a greater knowledge and practiced skill in the holistic study of theater, performing arts and drama. They will have exercised their social-emotional muscles through collaboration, discussion and exploration of the play’s story and characters, which results in a greater awareness of the self, their community and beyond.
Since 1979, The Freelance Players teaching artists, music directors and directors have been writing and publishing original musical theater shows – many of which are available for purchase and licensing for teaching artists and educators everywhere. Themes include climate crisis, gender identity, self-esteem, othering, power dynamics and capitalism. The Freelance Players original musicals are appropriate for ages 8-16, can accommodate large or small casts of any ability, are gender and color-conscious, and explore issues relevant to school-age students and their communities.
For more information about The Freelance Players – including volunteer, internship opportunities and our catalog of available plays – contact Mary Torpey, Head of Program and Creative Director: Freelance Players.
The Freelance Players are supported in part by grants from local agencies, including the Boston Cultural Council, Brookline Commission for Arts and Culture, the Dedham Cultural Council, and the Dover Cultural Council, which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Freelance Players Tuition Refund Policy
100% refund up until the first day or rehearsals
50% once the session starts
0% once the show has been cast
*In all cases, Rehearsal for Life will retain the $50 registration fee