Education

Take a class with NTG!

Summer 2026 Adult Education Classes

Beginning Playwriting with A.M. Dean

June 30-August 18 | Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm

Cost: $180

About the Class: This eight week beginning playwriting class is designed for writers (ages 18 and up) with varying levels of experience who wish to learn the craft and technique of playwriting and compose well-structured drama. The class will create a warm, collaborative, and supportive environment in the interest of removing the stigma of failure and criticism.

The final class session will be a reading of the student’s original scripts for a Friends and Family Showcase. Scripts will be performed by members of the NTG Ensemble.

Learn More about Beginning Playwriting

Registration is Closed

About the Instructor:

Aaron Dean, pen name A.M. Dean is a writer, actor, and musician. He holds a Bachelor ofArts degree in Theatre from Michigan State University. He was voted “Best Writer” in 2022 and the runner-up in 2018 and 2021 in Current Magazine’s Best of Washtenaw. His first musical, Beaver’s Long Strange Trip was performed in June 2015 at The Back Office Studio in downtown Ypsilanti. He’s had numerous plays produced in Michigan and Chicago including The Patio Prom, Thoughts and Prayers, Cryptic, Carl, Baby (Ypsilanti), The Former Things (Ypsilanti and Chicago), Escape from the Haltzburg Boy’s Choir and 15 Minutes (Chicago) and his second full length musical, Dispatches from the Dumb Decade (Ypsilanti). In Chicago, he was a company member with Brain Surgeon Theatre and Literary Manager for The Ruckus Theatre Company from 2009-2012. Originally from Whitehall, Michigan, A.M. Dean is a proud resident of Ypsilanti and the Literary Manager and co-founder of Neighborhood Theatre Group.

Audition Technique with Jessica Lee

July 8-August 12, 2026 | Wednesdays from 6:30pm-8pm

Cost: $150

About the Class: This six-week class is for actors (ages 18 and up) who want to feel more confident, prepared and empowered at auditions. You’ll develop two contrasting monologues that showcase your talent and range so you stand out to directors and producers, become skilled at cold reads so you’re fully present with new actors and material, learn how to introduce yourself so you make a lasting impression, and create a professional acting resume.

The class will be a warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative environment for you to enhance your acting skills, increase your confidence, and develop core auditioning skills that help you get cast. The final class session will be a mock audition in front of real directors where you’ll receive direct feedback to help you excel at all your future auditions.

Learn More about Audition Technique

Registration is Closed

About the Instructor: Jessica Lee holds an MA in Education from Mercy University and a BA in Theatre and Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She’s a certified teacher and taught Theatre and ELA professionally in NYC for 18 years, and was an Arts Coordinator who worked directly with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for 3 years. She’s been teaching acting at NTG for a year now and actively performs in productions. At Eastern, Jessica was part of an improv and playback theatre troupe. In NYC, she performed at The New York Comedy Club, acted in and directed Off Off Broadway plays, dabbled in film, and performed original music at Cafe Wha, The Bitter End, National Underground and many other venues. She received Voice Over training with Andy Roth and Ed Lewis. Jessica is also a business and visibility coach who helps other women entrepreneurs and artists grow to $5-10K months, a singer/songwriter, a Zumba Instructor, and a private acting teacher who offers 1:1 sessions.