About
Ensemble Children's Theatre offers classes, workshops, and summer camps where children take part in playwriting, improv, and acting. The program also includes production opportunities for actors ages 8–14.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
Ensemble Children's Theatre was founded in 2023 and is now in its third season. It offers unique theatrical opportunities for Central Indiana youth, including summer camps at various locations throughout Central Indiana. Teaching artists and guests have included professional actors, directors, playwrights, technicians, and stage combat instructors.
The program was founded by Elisabeth Speckman, who serves as the main instructor for all current offerings. Elisabeth has 14+ years of experience teaching youth drama and writing with programs throughout the Indianapolis area and has appeared onstage in over 50 productions, including many in the Indianapolis area. She is a playwright, actor, and director whose work as a playwright has been produced throughout the United States and internationally, and she sold an adapted play to an independent LA filmmaker whose film premiered at the Marina del Rey Film Fest and was selected in additional festivals. Her screenplays have been selected, nominated, and awarded at various film festivals and competitions.
Elisabeth received her BA in Theatre and English-Creative Writing from Denison University and her MFA in Fiction from Butler University. Her teaching experience includes undergraduate courses in first-year studies, creative writing, academic writing, media studies, screenwriting, and acting at Butler University and IUPUI, as well as teaching assistantships and production assistantships at Miami of Ohio and Denison University. She has served as a graduate teaching fellow at Butler University for first year studies, as mentor and lead elementary teacher for Butler University Creative Writing Camp from 2013–2020, and as Director of the Butler Bridge Program, a creative writing program for central Indiana youth. She has also taught playwriting, improv, and acting classes and workshops for area theatres and nonprofits such as the Indiana Writers Center, and has directed for CYT Indy (now The Point), Roots' School of Theatre, Southbank Theatre Company, Fishers UMC, Carmel Theatre Company, The Artists' Studio, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Fishers Parks, and more.
Elisabeth’s acting training includes a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Denison University, Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors, workshops with Second City Training Center Chicago, and online training with the Michael Chekhov School. She is certified in adult and pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED and in anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injectors by the American Red Cross. Her recognitions include the 2015 Best Major Supporting Actress Award from the Encore Association, being an O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Finalist, and a two-time Henley Rose Award finalist.
One parent shared, “We can’t say enough about how much we’ve appreciated [Ensemble]. Elisabeth has created a truly inclusive space for learning all things theater. She is meeting children where they are at, and helping them grow their skills and confidence as actors in a fun and supportive environment. The time commitment is reasonable, and the value is outstanding. I recommend Ensemble for any child who wants to be on stage for the first time and understand the ropes of production. Seasoned performers can also learn from Ensemble teaching artists and guests, a list that includes professional actors, directors, playwrights, technicians, and even stage combat instructors!”
Last updated May 12, 2026.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
Ensemble Children's Theatre was founded in 2023 and is now in its third season. It offers unique theatrical opportunities for Central Indiana youth, including summer camps at various locations throughout Central Indiana. Teaching artists and guests have included professional actors, directors, playwrights, technicians, and stage combat instructors.
The program was founded by Elisabeth Speckman, who serves as the main instructor for all current offerings. Elisabeth has 14+ years of experience teaching youth drama and writing with programs throughout the Indianapolis area and has appeared onstage in over 50 productions, including many in the Indianapolis area. She is a playwright, actor, and director whose work as a playwright has been produced throughout the United States and internationally, and she sold an adapted play to an independent LA filmmaker whose film premiered at the Marina del Rey Film Fest and was selected in additional festivals. Her screenplays have been selected, nominated, and awarded at various film festivals and competitions.
Elisabeth received her BA in Theatre and English-Creative Writing from Denison University and her MFA in Fiction from Butler University. Her teaching experience includes undergraduate courses in first-year studies, creative writing, academic writing, media studies, screenwriting, and acting at Butler University and IUPUI, as well as teaching assistantships and production assistantships at Miami of Ohio and Denison University. She has served as a graduate teaching fellow at Butler University for first year studies, as mentor and lead elementary teacher for Butler University Creative Writing Camp from 2013–2020, and as Director of the Butler Bridge Program, a creative writing program for central Indiana youth. She has also taught playwriting, improv, and acting classes and workshops for area theatres and nonprofits such as the Indiana Writers Center, and has directed for CYT Indy (now The Point), Roots' School of Theatre, Southbank Theatre Company, Fishers UMC, Carmel Theatre Company, The Artists' Studio, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Fishers Parks, and more.
Elisabeth’s acting training includes a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Denison University, Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors, workshops with Second City Training Center Chicago, and online training with the Michael Chekhov School. She is certified in adult and pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED and in anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injectors by the American Red Cross. Her recognitions include the 2015 Best Major Supporting Actress Award from the Encore Association, being an O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Finalist, and a two-time Henley Rose Award finalist.
One parent shared, “We can’t say enough about how much we’ve appreciated [Ensemble]. Elisabeth has created a truly inclusive space for learning all things theater. She is meeting children where they are at, and helping them grow their skills and confidence as actors in a fun and supportive environment. The time commitment is reasonable, and the value is outstanding. I recommend Ensemble for any child who wants to be on stage for the first time and understand the ropes of production. Seasoned performers can also learn from Ensemble teaching artists and guests, a list that includes professional actors, directors, playwrights, technicians, and even stage combat instructors!”
Last updated May 12, 2026.
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