About Us

Cape Cod Ballet Theatre for Children was founded to share the joys of dance & storytelling, as well as the benefits of hard work & focus, with children. Our curriculum was designed to provide a solid understanding and application of both classical technique and theatre fundamentals. Our workshops offer a disciplined and nurturing environment for students to study the Performing Arts;  while learning skills that will enrich their daily lives. Making new friends and memories, all on beautiful Cape Cod!!

CCBT ’s unique teaching methods and philosophy encourages each child’s individual creativity and strengths, while promoting focus, discipline, and teamwork. The syllabus incorporates fundamental RAD and Balanchine techniques with classic theatre games, improvisation, & character study. Workshops help improve flexibility, coordination, physical fitness, and memory. CCBT hopes to lay the groundwork of a strong technical foundation, while delighting children with the magic of the Performing Arts…

CCBT ’s goal is to both educate and expand each child’s appreciation for the Performing Arts. We will challenge bodies and imaginations; all while encouraging creativity, focus, and fun! By studying and performing a different Ballet, Award Winning Children’s story, or Broadway show with each week-long workshop; children develop an understanding of and appreciation for all the hard work, dedication, and teamwork necessary, to help make the “show go on.” Whether they pursue a professional life in the Arts, or go on to enjoy them as a patron; CCBT aims to give all students a strong technical foundation in a safe and nurturing environment.

Jacqueline Underwood (AEA/SAG/AFTRA) Director

Training Includes : Royal Academy of Dance (Advanced Certificate) under the mentorship of Wendy Robinson, ARAD;. as well as full scholarship for 3 years at the School of American Ballet (New York City Ballet). Her professional career began at 13, when Edward Stewart and Janice Barringer chose her as a principal dancer for the Ballet Theatre of Maryland. After working with Mr. Stewart (who choreographed several original ballets for her) as well as working extensively as a Guest Artist, she's performed many of the classics including: Giselle, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, & Swan Lake. She has also performed the choreography of Balanchine, Robbins, Fosse, Ashton, and DeMille. Completing high school at 16, she pursued a degree in both Psychology and Theatre. After graduating with Honors from Fordham University, she returned to the stage working on Broadway and off (Lincoln Center, Majestic, Atlantic Theatre, Drama League of America), Regionally (Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, Center Stage, Rep Stage, Woolly Mammoth, and Everyman Theatre); as well as in film, TV, and radio. She’s worked with many notable artists including: Alexandra Danilova, Melissa Hayden, Violette Verdy, Suki Schorer, Helen Hayes, Denzel Washington, Wendy Wasserstein, and Estelle Parsons. She’s won Best Actress awards for her roles in both David Mamet’s, Oleanna, as well as for her performance in an adaptation of Charlotte Perkins-Gilman’s, The Yellow Wallpaper. She began teaching 10 years ago for the Kennedy Center while performing in their National Tour of Little Women. Since then, she has taught for Roundhouse Theatre, University of Maryland, American Dance Institute, has served as a master teacher for Ballet Petite & Youth Performing Arts School, and as a private coach for ages 6-18. Since moving to Cape Cod, she has taught for the Academy of Performing Arts, Configuration Dance, Cape Cod Dance Center, and the Atlantic Coast Academy of Dance. Her students have won scholarships and have been accepted into many different professional training programs including: SAB, Joffrey, North Carolina School of the Arts, Chautauqua, Interlochen, Washington School of Ballet, Maryland Youth Ballet, Kirov Academy, & the Shakespeare Theatre. Several have also performed with such companies as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Joffrey, & Washington Ballet. Ms. Underwood is a member of Actor’s Equity Association, Screen Actor’s Guild, & the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists; as well as the National Dance Education Organization.