Acting Lessons Near Me

Let your freak flag fly! We're bringing life to everyone's favorite fairy tale creatures for our 2026 Broadway Stars Mainstage Production, SHREK: THE MUSICAL JR.! Join our talented cast of young performers and learn how theater can make everyone the hero of their own story! Broadway Stars was created by a professional performer turned child development specialist with the primary goal of helping children develop the foundational skills and technique every musical theater performer needs while giving them the opportunity to find their voice, build confidence, and do what every budding Broadway Star loves most: PERFORM! Classes are taught by a team of professional teaching artists with years of experience both in the classroom and on professional stages, and feature a customized curriculum designed to challenge and showcase the strengths of each young performer. PRODUCTION ADMIN FEE INCLUDES: *2 Full Cast Rehearsals *Tech Week Rehearsals *4 tickets to our production (Additional tickets will be available to purchase closer to the performance) *Scripts & other class materials *Costumes (Families will NOT be asked to go out and purchase items for the show but may be asked to bring clothing you already own.) *Props & Sets *Week Long Rental at The Biograph Theater AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP: Stages offers after school pick-up from Skinner West, Skinner West Branch, Montessori Academy of Chicago, Intercultural Montessori & World Language Academy. Pick-up will be approximately 20min before the start of class to give us enough time to gather students and walk over to Soul City. WHAT TO EXPECT: --Weeks 1-2 (Jan 5 - Jan 17): Setting the Stage— Families who are new to Stages are invited to join us for a FREE TRIAL the week of January 6-11, 2025. The first two weeks of the semester will focus on learning and perfecting the foundational musical theater skills every Broadway Star needs when performing on stage. Classes will participate in acting games and begin to learn music and choreography for their auditions. These first two weeks of the semester also allow our teachers to get to know students and start to determine which scenes, songs, and roles will be the best fit for each child. --Weeks 3-4 (Jan 19 - Jan 31): I Hope I Get It!-- During weeks 3-4 of the semester, students will participate in a personalized audition process. Auditions at Stages are designed to be a low stress, fun experience where Broadway Stars get to show off what they’ve been learning the first few weeks of the semester and tell us what they are most excited to do in the show. Every audition will look different as every child is different. For children who are new to performing or nervous about auditioning, this will be an informal, low-stakes experience. For children who are older, have been performing for a while, or are ready for a challenge, this will be treated as a more formal audition. How Does This Work? Each class will be assigned specific scenes and songs from from our musical, not the entire musical. Classes will come together for the final performance to perform the show in its entirety. EVERY CHILD WILL BE GIVEN A ROLE OR SPECIAL PART IN THE SHOW. We will work together with participants to make sure they have a speaking line, solo, duet, etc. that they are excited to perform! --Weeks 5-12 (Feb 2 - Mar 21): Putting It Together-- During Weeks 5-12, children will begin putting together their show! Each week, classes will work on their assigned scenes and songs. During these classes, we will focus on learning and rehearsing musical numbers and choreography, blocking acting scenes, and introducing various theatrical elements that will be used in our show such as sets, props, and costumes. Don’t worry, it’s not all work. Classes will also have the opportunity to play theater games designed to introduce new performance skills and brush up on concepts we’ve learned in previous classes. --Weeks 13-16 (April 6 - April 25): Prepping for Opening Night-- Classes will begin running doing “Run Thrus” where they perform all of their scenes and songs from start to finish. We’ll also start adding in transitions so performers know when and how to enter/exit the stage, when to get microphones, make a costume change, or pick up a prop from the prop table. These classes are VERY important and we ask that you do your best to ensure your child is at every class unless they are ill. --Week 17: Tech Week– Monday, April 27 - Thursday, April 30 The week of the show, we will be having rehearsal after school April 27 - April 30 where ALL of the classes are brought together to run the show in the space. These rehearsals will be MANDATORY. *Students in K-2 Classes will not be required to attend every night during tech week. Dates will be confirmed mid-March to give families plenty of time to make arrangements to ensure their child’s attendance. SHOW DATES: May 1-3, 2026 SHOW LOCATION: The Biograph Theatre (2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614)

Drop-off summer camp for 3-6 year olds. 3-5pm, M-F

A 4-Day series of performing arts workshops that culminate in a stage show for the family.

Each week, our littlest Broadway fans and caregivers are introduced to exciting new songs, characters, and stories as Broadway Musicals are brought to life by a team of professional teaching artists. Created by a professional performer turned early childhood development specialist, Broadway & Me's unique curriculum is both entertaining and developmentally appropriate. Each class incorporates activities that are designed to support your little one’s physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.

Within the Ocean of Possibilities, you may find yourself in the Dessert Islands! Join us on this week-long journey as we travel from island to island, discovering the yummy treats on each. This week is sure to be filled with imagination, play, and fun! Join us at 3:30pm on Friday for a special show! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. On our final day, join us at 3pm for a special show! If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Duration: 5 Weeks | 1 Hour 15 Minutes Per Class Get ready for a high-energy, fun-packed experience where your tween/teen will discover the power of persuasion in the most exciting way! Persuasive speaking is a life-changing skill that helps kids express their ideas with confidence, influence others, and make their voices heard. Through lively games, engaging lessons, and creative challenges, your child will master the art of persuasion while having an absolute blast! LEARN • Explore the elements of persuasive speech and writing through interactive lessons and fun, real-world class discussions. • Be introduced to simple debate techniques in a playful and approachable way that boosts confidence. • Learn how to quickly structure both impromptu and prepared persuasive speeches in dynamic, fast-paced activities. • Discover techniques to captivate an audience with humor, creativity, and confidence. • Learn how to persuade different audiences with the right content while keeping things fun and engaging. • Learn how to better manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness, building confidence to speak up and present with ease. • Build a solid understanding of structure, tone, and delivery for persuasive presentations in a lively, supportive environment. DO • Work on both impromptu and prepared pitches, presentations, and speeches with high-energy practice activities. • Create imaginative and hilarious pitches with teammates for collaborative, laughter-filled challenges. • Participate in energetic demonstrations, role-playing, and interactive games that make learning unforgettable. • Receive individualized feedback, regardless of your child’s starting skill level, to ensure they improve in every session. IMPROVE • Sharpen public speaking and persuasion skills through instant feedback and hands-on practice. • Use the feedback instantly to ensure that the student captures it and applies it right away. • Benefit from personalized coaching that challenges and supports every student from their baseline. • Develop confidence, creativity, and clarity in expressing ideas, whether at school or in everyday life. Also, for classes with more than 10 students, two enthusiastic instructors will lead the sessions to guarantee every child gets the attention and feedback they deserve. Oh, and did we mention? Our instructors are professional educators AND performers who bring tons of energy and humor to every class. Your child will laugh, learn, and leave feeling excited for the next session! Please note: Occasional assignments will be given to maximize the class benefits.

Puppet shows are back! Join us once a month on this Saturday mornings as we take kiddos on a story-time adventure with puppet pals Sneaky Pete, Tom the Rat, Meowzers, plus some new special guests! There will also be theater and movement games, dancing, and singing. Caregiver is required to stay.

Calling all secret agents! We are looking for a class of brave and adventurous kids to join for a day of make-believe espionage… In this camp we will make spy crafts, complete indoor obstacle courses, and pretend that we are secret agents on a mission! We will also work together to create a show about our mysterious experiences to share with friends and families on the last day. This is a wonderful camp for kids who love solving puzzles and riddles. Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 2:30 - 3:00pm, but be sure to keep an eye out for the parade time. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Preschoolers can now experience the magic of Broadway with a class designed specifically for them! Each week, Broadway Little Stars introduces preschoolers to a new musical through activities inspired by the “show of the week” and designed to get them singing, dancing, and acting along. Classes are taught by professional teaching artists who are experts at engaging and educating children in fun, developmentally appropriate ways. Whether your child is ready for the spotlight or simply loves musicals, this class is for them!

Each week, our littlest Broadway fans and caregivers are introduced to exciting new songs, characters, and stories as Broadway Musicals are brought to life by a team of professional teaching artists. Created by a professional performer turned early childhood development specialist, Broadway & Me's unique curriculum is both entertaining and developmentally appropriate. Each class incorporates activities that are designed to support your little one’s physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.

Whether your child is a competitive dancer or just looking to try something new, at La Salle's dance camp your child will learn new skills and explore different dance styles with a focus on building confidence and a joy for dance. The week will conclude with a special performance at the end of the camp where all campers show off what they learned throughout the week. All experience levels are welcome, be ready to move your body, try new things and meet new friends!

Join us for a different kind of unicorn adventure! Become a rainbow unicorn and jump into a story full of magic. This week long camp is filled with theatrical adventures, dancing, dressing up, unicorn crafts, and puppet shows of wonder all to emphasize the importance of imagination and play! Join us at 3:30pm on Friday for a Rainbow Unicorns show! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Journey with us into a world of deliciously magical royal bake shops, where the fanciest cakes in The Rabbit Hole Queendom are made! Our campers will get to work in teams to imagine their own unique confections. There will be dancing, dressing up, cake crafting, cookie decorating, performing and of course lots of royal magic! Join us on Friday at 3:30pm for a final showcase! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

A class for new babies, new parents, and caregivers! What do you get when you combine the best music class in the city with an opportunity to connect with other new parents and caregivers PLUS chat about your little one's development with a licensed Developmental Therapist? The perfect first music class for Broadway Babies and their adults! Introducing Lullaby League. New to Stages? Your first session of Lullaby League is our gift to you! Just enter promo code NEWBABY at checkout. Created and taught by professional performers who also have M.S. degrees in Child Development from Erikson Institute, Lullaby League offers a unique opportunity to engage with your little one in a musical environment while learning about their physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development. Each week, infants and their caregivers are introduced to exciting new sensory experiences, songs, and stories as Broadway Musicals are brought to life. Throughout the class, teachers will moderate informal discussions about apects of your little one's developmental journey as well as answer all of your burning questions. There's also time for adults to socialize and build community!

Get ready for another fantastic year of creativity, laughter, and theatre magic—because Drama Club is making a comeback, and we’re bringing all the fun with us! We’ll revisit favorite activities from last year (can you say Murder Mystery Party?), while adding exciting new events along the way. Drama Club will meet once a month from August to May, offering an ever-changing mix of activities designed to spark imagination and deepen students’ love for theater. From local show outings and table reads to karaoke/master class nights, character-themed events, and interactive drama games, there’s something for everyone—whether you love being on stage, behind the scenes, or just hanging out with fellow theatre fans. There may be optional costs for field trips and special events, but the core experience is all about fun, friendship, and growing together as performers. Join us! Let’s make this year our most dramatic (and fun) yet!

What do you get when you combine your favorite Stages classes and teaching artists with the fun and freedom of Summer? The ultimate first camp experience for your little one! Each week, our littlest campers are introduced to the world of a new Broadway Musical as Stages Mini-Camp Counselors bring the show to life through music, dance, dramatic play, and process art. Snack time, sensory play, outdoor adventures (weather permitting) and of course, Bubble Intermission round out the daily routine. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! WHY CHOOSE BROADWAY MINI-CAMP? ✔️ Small Camp Sizes (No more than 12 Mini-Campers/Day) ✔️ Low Counselor : Mini-Camper Ratio (1:4) ✔️ Professional Teaching Artists as Counselors ✔️ New Broadway Show each week! ✔️ Play-Based Arts Curriculum developed by a professional performer turned child development specialist ✔️ 1 or 2 Day Enrollment Options June 16 & 18 - Lion King June 23 & 25 - Little Mermaid June 30 & July 2 - Trolls July 7 & 9 - Encanto July 14 & 16 - Frozen July 28 & 30 - Wicked August 4 & 6 - Superhero August 11 & 13 - Zootopia August 18 & 20 - Moana August 25 & 27 - Cinderella Broadway Mini-Camp is a GENTLE SEPARATION experience. While the goal is drop-off, we understand that for many children, this will be their first separation experience. Parents will be allowed to stay in class with their child for as long as necessary and Prep teachers will work with parents to create a drop-off routine for each child that ensures both kiddos and their parents are comfortable. Parents and caregivers whose children feel comfortable being dropped off are welcome to stay at Soul City and hang out while classes are taking place but it is not required.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a GOLDEN week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! This week long camp, inspired by the hit movie, K POP DEMON HUNTERS, combines the magic of performance with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their Final Performance which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

WICKED WEEK! Get ready to Defy Gravity this summer with everyone's favorite witches! Don't wait to enroll, this week is going to be POP-U-LAR! Here at Stages, we combine the magic of musical theater with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will learn the foundations of musical theatre while experiencing the thrill of an intensive audition and rehearsal process. Throughout the week, they will participate in music, choreography, and blocking rehearsals, all in preparation for their final performance on the last day of camp. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! BEST OF ALL? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands. If your child is ready to work hard, have fun, and take their talent to the next level, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a GOLDEN week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! This week long camp, inspired by the hit movie, K POP DEMON HUNTERS, combines the magic of performance with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their Final Performance which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! Our week-long musical theater camp inspired by K Pop Demon Hunters will bring your child's favorite songs and characters to life through music, dance, dramatic play, and process art activities. Stages camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child is in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Set sail and dive into an ocean of adventure in this weeklong activity! Children will embark on a magical journey on an imaginary ocean, where they'll discover magical worlds, solve puzzles, and encounter fantastical creatures. This activity encourages creativity and teamwork, and is designed to inspire endless fun and imaginative play. Join us for a week of unforgettable memories! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 2:30 - 3:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.