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Triple A: Arts, A la Carte, After School » Lion's Acting Troupe (2-8)

Lion's Acting Troupe (2-8)

Lion’s Acting TroupeLion walking confidently under a spotlight. Below the image are the words Lion's Acting Troupe Village Theatre at Meridian World School
Create. Perform. Belong.

Lion’s Acting Troupe is Meridian’s after-school theatre program for students in Grades 2 - 8, offered in partnership with Village Theatre.

Our program gives students the opportunity to build confidence, develop theatre skills, collaborate with others, and experience the excitement of creating a live production together.

Students explore acting, improvisation, character development, voice, movement, storytelling, and the rehearsal process before presenting a fully staged performance for our community.

And because theatre is about much more than acting, students may also have opportunities to explore areas such as design, directing, technical theatre, and playwriting.

Why Lion’s Acting Troupe?

We believe theatre should be a place where students can:

  • Build confidence
  • Take creative risks
  • Develop their own artistic voice
  • Learn collaboration and responsibility
  • Create meaningful friendships
  • Experience the joy of performing
  • Find a place where they belong

 

Parent Testimonials:

"My kids absolutely love the program and it's clearly a feeling shared by their peers based on the joy each of the performers brought to the stage. Mrs. Chapman and Mr. Franklin have produced a rare gift for the Meridian community: a true touchstone educational moment. I have no doubt the lessons my children learned in teamwork, self-confidence, and goal realization will carry far beyond the stage."
 
"Even between the fall shows and spring shows, I saw a difference in the students' skill and confidence on stage. I know it will make a difference for these students as they move into secondary theatre classes."
 
"It was beyond any expectations I had. Great experience."
 
"We are so thankful for this program."
 

"This semester was so artfully done and the children had the freedom to create their own character."

Fall 2026 Season

Season: August 17 – October 23, 2026
Tuition: $350
Maximum Enrollment: 30 students per class

This year, Lion’s Acting Troupe has expanded into two separate classes so students can work with peers at developmentally appropriate levels.

Lion’s Acting Troupe + Village Theatre

Beginning with the 2026 - 2027 school year, Lion’s Acting Troupe is offered in partnership with Village Theatre.

Village Theatre was created by Meridian teachers Molly Chapman and Corey Franklin with a simple idea:

Theatre should be a place where people can create, perform, and belong.

What began as an after-school program at Meridian has grown into a developing theatre organization focused on creating meaningful performing arts opportunities for young people and the wider community.

Lion’s Acting Troupe remains our home at Meridian and an important part of that mission.

Meet the Instructors

Molly Chapman
 
Molly Chapman
 
Molly Chapman is a 3rd Grade teacher at Meridian and a former Theatre teacher. She has taught Theatre at Indiana University, Ball State University, Austin Community College, and Georgetown High School. During grad school, she ran a summer camp for 5 to 8 years olds through Bloomington Playwrights Project in Bloomington, IN. Molly earned an MFA in Acting from Indiana University, a BA in Theatre from Bloomsburg University, and is a SITI Company alum.
 
Before making the switch to teaching 3rd Grade, Molly was a regional theatre actor, performing with several companies around the country including Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Passage Theatre Company, and Indiana Festival Theatre. Molly is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. 
 
Molly's love of Theatre began at a young age. She saw a high school production of West Side Story and she was hooked. Theatre gave Molly confidence that stretched into every facet of her life. This is why she is so passionate about introducing the art form to children during their primary years. Theatre teaches collaboration, public speaking, empathy, and is a place where everyone belongs.
 
 
Corey Franklin
Corey Franklin
 

Corey Franklin joined Meridian in August 2022 as a 3rd Grade teacher. Mr. Franklin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from The University of the Incarnate Word and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Regents American University of London. Throughout his life he has always loved traveling and has traveled to over thirty different countries. Mr. Franklin worked in China for seven years and moved back to the United States with his cat, Chairman Miao, in July 2022. While in China, he worked as an English as an additional language teacher, music teacher, and as PYP Coordinator. He has experience teaching students in all grades, but enjoys working with primary students most. Mr. Franklin has always had a passion for music and theater. He directed a choir and lead winter shows and spring concerts for a school in China for several years. He sings in different choirs in the Austin area and attends local theater productions in support of the arts.

 

Late Pick up Fees

  • Late pick-up from Arts/À la carte/After school programs will result in additional fees to accrue at the rate of $5 per 5 minutes starting with the first minute.

  • Students who participate in Arts/À la carte activities will be charged $5 per 5 minutes with a 5 minute grace period from the activity's dismissal time to allow for transition from the classroom.

  • For full-time after school students end-of-day, "late" begins at 6:01 p.m.

1 – 5 minutes = $5

6 – 10 minutes = $10

11 – 15 minutes = $15

16 – 20 minutes = $20 ...

 

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