Getting into the act: Area students learn from a Weston star

Area students in Grades 4 through 6 gather at the stage at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium to begin a seven-week class in acting with Susan Haefner. Photos by Cynthia Prairie. Click photo to launch gallery.

Students from Killington, Ludlow, Cavendish and Chester descended on the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium Monday afternoon to begin the first in a series of seven acting classes taught by Weston Playhouse favorite and Broadway actress Susan Haefner, who also lives in Andover.

About a dozen children in grades 4 through 6, meeting for the 3:15 p.m. class, were introduced to basic acting methods, including practicing tongue twisters, telling stories and jokes and standing on stage before an audience. Among lessons for the 4:45 class, made up of those in grades 7 through 12, students did voice exercises and practiced monologues.

Six more Monday classes will follow. The Weston Playhouse classes are underwritten by grants from the Okemo Challenge Committee, the Ben & Jerry Foundation and the Friends of Ludlow Auditorium.

Actress and teacher Susan Haefner emotes.

High school students listen as Haefner explains a concept.